I learned this treatment as well as other minor forms of torture from a Naturpath many years ago, they are a bit startling due to the use of ice (or ice cold cloth) but they are proven effective, and beat being laid up and out for 10 days or more.
This one I'm paraphrasing from Dr. Stadtmauer's websight (Click on the title above to read the original).
Paraphrasing starts now
One of the major underlying principles of Naturopathic medicine (and the Chill Philosophy), is that people take part in their own healing. At-home hydrotherapy treatments are one of the best ways for people to help themselves and are widely under-appreciated.
Hydrotherapy is the practice of using hot wet and cold wet applications in various combinations and forms to stimulate the natural healing processes of the body. ....What follows is my favorite hydrotherapy treatment that I recommend to patients very frequently. Those who do them are constantly amazed at how such a simple (and inexpensive!) procedure can produce such amazing results. The first is called “Warming Socks”, and it illustrates the concepts of hydrotherapy very well.
The warming socks treatment is best if repeated for three nights in a row.
Indications:
Sore throat or any inflammation or infection of the throat, neck pain, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
Supplies:
1 pair thin white cotton socks
1 pair thick wool socks
Towel
Warm bath or warm foot bath
Directions:
• Take a pair of cotton socks and soak them completely with ice cold water. Be sure to wring the socks out thoroughly so they do not drip.
• Warm your feet first. This is very important as the treatment will not be as effective and could be harmful if your feet are not warmed first. Warming can be accomplished by soaking your feet in very warm water for at least 5-10 minutes or taking a warm bath for 5~10 minutes.
• Dry off feet and body with a dry towel.
• Place cold damp socks on feet. Cover with thick dry wool socks. Go directly to bed. Avoid getting chilled.
• Keep the socks on overnight. You will find that the damp cotton socks will be dry in the morning.
Effects of the Wet Sock Treatment:
The body perceives the heat differential between the cool socks and the hot feet as an irritant. It responds by pulling the congested fluids from the upper respiratory passages, down to the feet to warm up the socks. Over the course of a couple of hours, the socks will dry out, and the nose and sinuses will decongest.
This movement of fluid also has the effect of stimulating the immune system, to better fight infection. It works very well with sick children to get them to sleep quickly, and keeps them more comfortable throughout the night. The same holds true for adults.
Good luck this cold/flu season and if you just can't bear to do this to yourself call me and I can do the alternative ice/hot chest back compress for similar indications. Its fun - really! (30 min. $40) 206-724-9555.
(nothing on this blog is a substitute for medical attention and is for your edification only it should not be construed as medical advise)
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