The FastDay Forum

On the basis that it can harm them. In many cases cold is the worse thing that can happen to an arthritic joint.

Really? It shows up as a very popular myth if you google it, and many doctors seem to recommend cold as therapy for arthritis patients. But perhaps you're better informed, I haven't checked thoroughly.

Sounds like rubbish to me - but I have hot baths anyway so it will not be affecting my arthritis...

Sounds like rubbish to me

What sounds like rubbish, cold water is dangerous or cold water is good for arthritis?

Could it be a bit like in hot countries where one of the best ways to cool down is by having a nice hot cup of tea (and then sweating)? But vice versa?

So I've been taking cold showers for a while now, but haven't found any credible info on for how long they're supposed to be.

Usually I set for five minutes, with my head and torso under the water, but 10 minutes is not a problem. There's only a small discomfort during the first minute, it gets easier if you control your breathing, breathe deeply, relax and avoid getting tense. I focus on counting the seconds to 300 or whatever.

The water is 16 degrees Celsius, 60 F, it doesn't get colder I'm afraid.

Have someone found anything credible about this, is there any point in staying under the water for more than a few minutes?

I mainly do it for the immune system benefits, the warm feeling for hours afterwards, and since it makes me seriously wake up. You feel calm and ready for anything. Other possible benefits might be a bonus.

[carorees]

There's some links to research papers on cold hormesis in the 5:2 lab (use the google search box to find the threads). From memory, 15 mins in light clothing at a temp of 18degreesC (so not cold showers but cold exposure) was enough to see activation of brown adipose tissue.

Cold is recommended in some cases of inflammation. Inflammation might occur in arthritis (the flare ups that Izzy mentioned above) and sometimes cold is the answer to the problem. Not ALL the times but sometimes.

Generally speaking though, cold is the enemy of arthritis, so is humidity which is why some forms of arthritis are partying in countries such as the UK, England, Norway and the Netherlands while they are non-existent in countries such as Greece, Italy, Turkey. Keep in mind than Greeks seek medical assistance abroad when they suffer from rare cases of arthritis because doctors here have zero experience with them. Shocking, I know...

It might seem like a myth or rubbish to some of you but I would advise those who suffer from arthritis or similar to seek for advice before they start taking cold showers. Better safe, than sorry.

Could it be a bit like in hot countries where one of the best ways to cool down is by having a nice hot cup of tea (and then sweating)? But vice versa?

Why not? My dad always told me to eat ice cream in the winter because I will feel warm afterwards. A very good idea to warm up, LOL!

Oooooooh forgot to say!!!

Izzy, although I'm sure you do know it, just to be sure... when you use ice, don't forget to use cloth between the ice pack and your skin.

Cold is recommended in some cases of inflammation. Inflammation might occur in arthritis (the flare ups that Izzy mentioned above) and sometimes cold is the answer to the problem. Not ALL the times but sometimes.

Generally speaking though, cold is the enemy of arthritis, so is humidity which is why some forms of arthritis are partying in countries such as the UK, England, Norway and the Netherlands while they are non-existent in countries such as Greece, Italy, Turkey.

Hmm.., correlation is not causation, and there are plenty of arthritis patients in other warm parts of the world, not having checked your statements about the the Mediterranean area. From what I found from the scientific community arthritis patients do not benefit from moving to warmer climates. So I can't find much basis for this "generally speaking" here, sounds like folkloristic beliefs to me.

But sure, any sensible person would recommmend asking your doctor first if you have arthritis, which is not the same thing as claiming cold water, bad weather and humidity will hurt most arthritis patients.

Michael H - what TML was saying... I would be tempted to try cold showers just to test the theory, any ill effect would be reversible easily enough, but I just hate showering except on holiday in hot climates. And a bath which I share with the kids probably saves money...

Cold is recommended in some cases of inflammation. Inflammation might occur in arthritis (the flare ups that Izzy mentioned above) and sometimes cold is the answer to the problem. Not ALL the times but sometimes.

Generally speaking though, cold is the enemy of arthritis, so is humidity which is why some forms of arthritis are partying in countries such as the UK, England, Norway and the Netherlands while they are non-existent in countries such as Greece, Italy, Turkey.

Hmm.., correlation is not causation, and there are plenty of arthritis patients in other warm parts of the world, not having checked your statements about the the Mediterranean area. From what I found from the scientific community arthritis patients do not benefit from moving to warmer climates. So I can't find much basis for this "generally speaking" here, sounds like folkloristic beliefs to me.

But sure, any sensible person would recommmend asking your doctor first if you have arthritis, which is not the same thing as claiming cold water, bad weather and humidity will hurt most arthritis patients.

Michael, for the past 9 years of my life I have been researching arthritis and a rare case of it that occurred here in Greece. I am speaking with professors from England, Cyprus, Greece, US and Norway.
What I'm saying is true. Whether you choose to believe it or not, it is non of my business, nor it will change everything I've learnt during this journey.
Moving into dryer and/or warmer climates is suggested to patients with very bad cases of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions, in some cases patients were better and took less medication after moving in certain areas which appear to have better climate for those who suffer of certain conditions.

Pete, please continue to believe that what I'm saying is rubbish and don't go starting to take cold showers just to prove me wrong.
Warm baths are very good for those who suffer from arthritis and the like.

To be fair, TML, I can only speak for osteoarthritis which is what makes my hips creaky - perhaps you are referring to rheumatoid arthritis. Plenty of sufferers on this forum available to comment on this and other inflammatory conditions...

Also, regarding cold water, when I holidayed in Gran Canaria two years ago I would do laps of the artificial island (about 430 meters around) at high speed then jump in the sea for ten minutes. This seemed to help rather than hurt my hips...