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 Emotionally Motivated

Humans can live without their thinking brain, but will die without their emotional brain. Emotional intelligence, therefore is a great goal.

Take what works, discard what doesn’t.
We're all unique.

Basic Contrast Bath for Sprains and Other Injuries

6/22/2018

 
Picture of feet in water
An effective method of speeding healing to an injured or sore area is a Contrast Bath. It's easiest to implement for hand and foot injuries, but for those with an imagination, it can be used most anywhere.
The concept behind the Contrast Bath is simple: By alternating icing and heating, you create a pumping action that will first expel damaged tissue, then flush the injured area with oxygen, nutrients, and the natural chemicals the body uses to heal itself. A good three pumps usually does the trick.

Contrast baths have been shown to work in cases of swelling, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, poor circulation, and reduced range-of-motion. For athletes, it’s one of the quickest ways to get back into the action.

Contrast Bath Recipe
Set aside 20 minutes, preferably at the beginning and end of the day.

Have a clock or timer at the ready. 

For a hand injury, you will need two bowls that will fit your whole hand.

For a foot injury, you will need two buckets or something equivalent that will fit your whole foot. 

Fill one of the containers with cold water and ice cubes: Not too much ice or it will hurt; not too little ice or it won’t be cold enough. Every ‘body’ responds differently to temperatures, so choose the coldest temperature you can tolerate for up to 1 minute. Please pay attention to the timing; it matters.

Fill the other container with water as hot as you can stand it without burning you.

  1. COLD: submerse the injured hand or foot into the ice water bath for up to 1 minute
  2. HOT: transfer the injured hand or foot to the hot water for 4-5 minutes
  3. REPEAT steps 1 & 2
  4. REPEAT steps 1 & 2 (yes, again)
  5. If reducing pain is important, end with the COLD step. Icing reduces pain and swelling, but does not promote full healing, long term, so only end with icing if pain or swelling is a significant issue.

Contraindications: Do not use a contrast bath if… 
  • You had an overt injury and it is acute and less than 72 hours old
  • The had an overt injury and is moderate and less than 48 hours old 
  • There is broken skin at the site of the injury
  • You are at risk for limb vasospasm or ischemia

Originally published March, 2010. Latest update date is at top.

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Repairing the human body since 2003

Fasciae (connective tissue) healing from skin to muscle to bone through innovative, no-nonsense bodywork and education.
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Paula's brand of bodywork is derived from  professional training in Western therapies including but not limited to: Swedish medical massage, Neuromuscular (NMT), and Trigger Point, as well as therapies of Eastern origin including but not limited to: massage cupping by machine and for joint therapy, Acupressure, Shiatsu, and gentle Gua Sha (similar yet superior to Graston Technique), along with various vibrational therapies from dense to subtle like: Tok Sen (hammer massage) and BioSyntonie.
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The word 'massage' denotes Paula's Fasciae Therapy, aka Connective Tissue therapy, and is remedy-based to solve the root of the issues in your tissues.
  • Appointments:
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    • Choose Your Session
    • Agree to Office Policies
    • Contact Paula
    • Make a Payment
  • Praise
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    • About Palpation
    • About Fascia Therapy
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    • About Tok Sen
    • About Gua Sha
    • About Massage Cupping
    • About Foot Reflexology
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