Does the term "contrast bath" imply any random time-temperature combination of hot and cold water or it is a specific combination of repetitive alternate spells of dipping the affected body part in cold water at a specific temperature for a specified duration followed by dipping in hot water at a specific temperature for a specified duration?
Dear Shanker,
The contrast bath, in the anxiety literature, does not specify if this method is characterized combination. In summary, contrast is used to decrease edemas. However, there is another technic, using hot wax and water, that is not considered contrast.
Greetings Mr. Shanker
A contrast hydrotherapy is done in hot and cold water for various reasons including relieving muscle soreness, reduce swelling, remove diminish lactic acid and extreme fatigue . The hot water temperature ranges from 35-45 °C and the injured part of the body is submerged in this water for 1-3 minutes which causes vasodilation- dilation of blood vessels . Immediately after the 3 minutes of extreme hot water, dip the injured part of the body in extreme cold water which usually ranges from 10-15°C, do this for approximately 1 minute. The cold water causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels which causes blood to go deeper into organs. Consecutively repeat the whole process for a period of 20 minutes ending in the cold water.
To read further I would suggest to go through these references:
· Stanborough, R., 2020. Contrast Bath Hydrotherapy: Benefits, Treatment, Instructions. [online] Healthline. Available at: [Accessed 29 July 2020].
· Wekerle, K., 2021. Contrast Hydrotherapy Could Help Relieve Your Chronic Pain. [online] Southwest Spine and Pain Center. Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2014].
Thank you
Dear Mr. Shanker Lal, I largely agree with the earlier responders. A contrast bath is the immersion of the extremity under consideration alternatively (for a minute or two) in hot and cold bath for at least 15 min per sitting. Though the literature suggests water in cold container to be between 10-15 degrees C and water in hot container to be between 35-45 degrees C, it may be kept at the tolerance level of the individual.
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=te7566&lang=en-ca
This can help you.
@Juan Ritz
Thanks. Any recommendations on temperatures of hot water and cold water along with the respective durations of exposures? In the absence of a specific recommendation, the patients will follow any random combinations of time and temperature and the best results may not be realized.
It's a combination therapy of hot and cold water, where hot water temperature range from 35-40 degree Celsius and cold is around 10-20 degree Celsius, duration of around 15-20 minutes.eg: Immersion for oedematous foot alternatively to cold and hot water.
The technique employs subjecting the part to be treated to alternating warm 42-45C x 4 mins and cold 0-7C temperatures x1min through a medium for 20-30 minutes. Basically, the warm temperature will dilate blood vessels or improve blood flow, and the cold temperature will constrict or reduce blood flow. If you do it alternately to an edematous part, it's like proving a pump (alternate vasodilation and vasoconstriction). Another innovative way is to dilate the blood vessels that will drain the swollen / edematous part by placing a warm compress x 20mins and then, putting ice compress for
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