A Cold Shower - The Latest Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Forget all those cliches about taking a cold shower - some researchers think that could be a way to treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS).
Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine plan to test whether 3-minute cold showers (68-degress Fahrenheit/20-degrees Celsius), twice a day, help relieve the fatigue and pain of ME/CFS. So far, it's just a hypothesis, but it's got some interesting scientific background.
The think this treatment, called cold stress, could help by making several changes in the body, including:
- Boosting HPA axis (stress response) activity
- Increasing metabolism, which may speed muscle recovery and prevent post-exertional malaise
- Brain-stem arousal to normalize serotonin levels
This hypothesis - especially the stress-response part - makes me think about something I learned in a college yoga and meditation class. The instructor told us to start deep breathing and focused relaxation while standing in a hot shower, then turn the water to straight cold for 30 seconds, making sure to continue deep breathing. The purpose of this, she said, was to induce a fight-or-flight stress response in your body (the sudden cold) and to train your body (NOT your mind) to stay calm during this process. She said it would help us stay focused and in control during high-stress situations, and I have to say, I believe it worked for me.
Could this same simple technique relieve the intense, debilitating exhaustion of ME/CFS, and maybe of fibromyalgia as well? The next time my fibro fatigue gets back, I think I'll do my own experiment.
Suggested Reading
- Yoga for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Tai Chi for Relaxation, Energy & Strength
- Treating Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Comments
Living in Virginia, and near VCU, I know that it is one of the most highly regarded medical facilities on the east coast. This is very interesting research. Like you…the next time my fibro fatigue hits i’m going to try this and see if it helps. I’ll try anything as it sure couldn’t hurt any worse than it does most days. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
A cold shower? Come on, gimme a break! I suppose eating dog food will be next. Please, remove me from your mailing list. Thank you, and God bless!
I recall a sportsman here in Australia was struck down with chronic fatigue. He swore cold baths cured him. However this was never substantiated with any studies. I always feel slightly less achy from FM after a HOT shower, but anything is worth a shot. I know swimming in cold water sort of takes your mind off it because you feel cold.
I believe there’s something to it. I feel better after getting into a cold swimming pool for a few minutes. Didn’t know why.
Hawk – why such negativity? Did you already try it? Sad though, as I believe this newsletter is the one place to get updated on new info., progress, and diagnostic measures. A cold shower sounds real good right now!!!
LETS BE HONEST FOLKS..WE ARE SO HUNGRY FOR INFORMATION ON FMS/CFS WE WOULD TRY ALMOST ANYTHING…AND HAVE TRIED AT KEAST HALF…LETS KEEP THE CONVERSATION AND IDEAS GOING AND ONE DAY WE MIGHT HAVE THE ANSWER..KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT!!!
Nonsense. First of all my husband is so sick with CFS that he can’t even take a shower! And secondly cold water or cold air makes his fibromyalgia act up more and hurt him more!! This may help in mild cases because you’re shivering and your mind is more on getting warm, but not for the serious cases because it’s nonsense.