How to effectively use a contrast shower for vegetative-vascular dystonia

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Author of the article: Marina Dmitrievna

2017.11.05

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Vessels

Contrast showers are often recommended by doctors as a way to effectively treat and prevent various diseases. However, the procedure does not always have a beneficial effect on the body; it can either help or harm the body.

Taking a contrast shower, a person puts the body into a state of stress due to sudden temperature changes. Warm water promotes relaxation, cold water invigorates and increases muscle tone. Alternating temperatures excites the nervous system, but is it possible to take a contrast shower with vegetative-vascular dystonia?

What is a contrast shower

Water is a unique substance and its contact with the body gives beneficial results, of course, with the observance of safe measures. If you read various spiritual scriptures, you will see that almost all of them contain mentions of water and it is involved in many rituals. But let’s not get into mysticism, but let’s talk about water and water procedures, purely from a medical point of view.

Important!

Other serious diseases may be hidden under the mask of VSD. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment! All information on the site is for informational purposes only and is not a reason for self-diagnosis or self-medication.

Contrast shower refers to physiotherapy. It has been used for the treatment of VSD and many other diseases for many years. The procedure consists of alternating dousing with hot and cold water in a shower stall.

It is used for hardening, strengthening blood vessels, and boosting immunity.

This type of therapy is available in almost every sanatorium and health center. But thanks to the simplicity of the technology, you can use a contrast shower for VSD at home.

Alternating hot and ice water can cause discomfort, especially when a person is just starting to use this method. There are rules that should be followed to avoid harming yourself (you will learn about them below). Although a contrast shower is considered a very useful physiotherapy procedure, problems can arise if it is used incorrectly. Therefore, it is very important to study all the nuances before starting the fight against vegetative-vascular dystonia in this way.

Typical beginner mistakes

Often the cause of deterioration in the condition of patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia is the incorrect use of a contrast shower. Typical beginner mistakes:

• Hardening too often. The daily procedure does not bring benefits. They lead to disruptions in the body’s adaptation with subsequent progression of the disease.
• Use ice water immediately. In the early stages, the difference between temperatures should be small. Even experienced people do not use ice water, which is harmful to health.

For beginners, we recommend dousing with cold water only after intensive warming up, for example, after visiting a steam room:

• After a person stays in the steam room for several minutes, his heart rate increases to 100 or more, and sweat begins to appear intensely on his body. This indicates that the body is trying to get rid of excess heat.
• In this case, sudden but short cooling will be safe and will not lead to a cold. After all, cooling just takes away excess heat, but does not overcool the body.

That is why it is very pleasant to throw yourself into an ice pool after a steam room, or lie around for a few seconds in clean snow.

Of course, this should be done with caution, in the absence of contraindications to contrast procedures

Why is physiotherapy more useful than drugs for vegetative-vascular dystonia?

In fact, it is wrong to talk about VSD as a disease; they want to use this term more conveniently. Dystonia is not a disease. This is a neuropsychiatric disorder expressed in a complex of symptoms. Manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia are very diverse. Their number and intensity depend on many factors: age, gender of the patient, general health, personality type and much more.

VSD can be a consequence of other diseases, as a concomitant disorder. Diseases of the endocrine system, consequences of traumatic brain injury and some diseases of the nervous system give symptoms very similar to vegetative dystonia. Therefore, it is always necessary to undergo a thorough diagnosis to identify or exclude somatic diseases.

In most cases, physiological diseases and other somatic factors causing VSD are not detected in people. There are symptoms (and sometimes very strong ones), but there are no causes as such. In such cases, dystonia is of a psychosomatic nature. That is, it arises against the background of psychological problems that a person cannot cope with for a long time. The reason may also be banal overwork, both physical and moral.

Why is VSD poorly treated with medications? Can a pill cure a mental problem or body fatigue? Of course not.

Most medications that are used for VSD and neuroses simply relieve symptoms, but do not get rid of the cause. Medicines are useful and necessary when terrible symptoms simply do not allow you to lead a normal life. But you should understand that various types of antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, and adrenaline blockers themselves do not cure anything. The same cannot be said about physical therapy.

Since VSD is an imbalance of the nervous and vascular systems, they need to be strengthened. You can’t strengthen blood vessels with medications, but sweat exercises, contrast showers, massages can even tone them up.

Fortunately, during my VSD crisis (many years have passed since then), I quickly realized that the pills would not save me and abandoned them, leaving only a mixture of herbs (valerian, hawthorn, motherwort) in therapy.

A few words about VSD and bad habits

Smoking and alcohol are harmful to the body, and with VSD this harm is multiplied by 100. Nicotine means constricted blood vessels, and with VSD it also causes spasms, headaches, tachycardia and panic attacks. Alcohol brings some improvement due to its relaxing effect while taking it, but the next day it is 100% a crisis. As a rule, in VSDs the hangover is more pronounced and lasts longer in comparison with a healthy person, sometimes up to 3 days. The combination of nicotine and alcohol increases the harmful effects several times. Moreover, in many cases it is alcohol and smoking that are the root cause of VSD, that is, despite the body’s habit of taking alcohol and nicotine, it itself, due to its genetic or other characteristics, does not accept them, that is, for some it is only a bad habit, for you, this is the foundation on which your illness is built under the formidable name of VSD.

To these bad habits I would also add strong coffee.

You draw your own conclusion from all this.

What are the benefits of a contrast shower for VSD?

With vegetative-vascular dystonia, due to weakening of the tone of the vascular system, chronic oxygen starvation of tissues begins. As a result, metabolic processes slow down, immunity decreases, and hormone deficiency appears. Frequent companions of VSD are hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat). Common symptoms of people with autonomic disorders are dizziness, weakness, headaches, shortness of breath, and digestive disorders. Such a person becomes neurotic, anxious, suffers from insomnia, and gets tired quickly. A contrast shower has an effect on the vascular system, which a regular warm bath does not do. In the process of alternating dousing with hot and cold water, the vessels expand and then sharply narrow. This is a very intense load on the vascular system, but it acts as a charger. If used regularly, it greatly strengthens the cardiovascular system and has a wonderful effect on well-being.

The water physiotherapeutic procedure has a lot of positive effects on the body. So, let’s find out exactly how a contrast shower is useful for VSD.

• Improves blood circulation, due to which the organs begin to receive more oxygen and nutrients.
• Strengthens and tones blood vessels, making them more stable.
• Stimulates the production of necessary hormones.
• Increases immunity.
• Helps stabilize blood pressure.
• Relieves muscle spasms, as a result of which pain goes away.
• Accelerates metabolic processes, promotes weight loss.
• It prevents varicose veins and thrombosis (by accelerating blood flow).
• Improves heart function.
• Invigorates, adds strength, energy, improves overall well-being.
• Increases the body's resistance to cold.
• Normalizes thermoregulation.

A contrast shower for VSD can easily be considered one of the most effective and easily accessible methods for improving health. It helps to get rid of unpleasant, painful symptoms in the shortest possible time.

On a note!

Contrast shower - This is a kind of hardening and training of the body. Scientists note: those who regularly take such a shower rarely get sick and are more able to resist viral illnesses.

Pharmacology and VSD

If I advised you to find a good chiropractor for a massage, then in this case look for a good doctor.

Types of VSD - carriage and small cart:

• Hypertensive (tendency to high blood pressure)
• Hypotensive (low blood pressure)
• Cardiac (normal blood pressure, but problems with heartbeat, etc.)
• Mixed (symptoms characteristic of different species are mixed)
• Thermoneurosis (increased body temperature)

And so on….

And there are even more reasons for the occurrence of VSD:

• Hereditary - conditioned
• Infectious
• Physical inactivity
• Osteochondrosis
• Post-traumatic
• Allergic
• Bad habits
• Stress

And so on ….

Therefore, treatment is different for everyone.

For example, I used:

• At night, 2 tablets sublingually glycine
• With an increase in temperature (there was thermoneurosis) and with severe headaches, when nothing helped (I tried not to abuse it, but as a last resort) analgin
• To improve health and heart "Kudesan"
• Vitamin B injections
• Regular intake (sublingually) of Validol - don’t laugh, I read it once on a forum, it really helps.
• Sometimes before bed, a decoction of a sedative herb (motherwort, valerian...)
• I took L-carnitine for periods of time to improve my health.
• Drugs such as Afobazol, Negrustin, etc. didn't have much of an effect on me.

How to properly take a contrast shower for vegetative-vascular dystonia

Treatment of VSD with a contrast shower should only be performed after consultation with a doctor. If you decide to practice this method on your own, please note that you will bear the possible consequences yourself. By the way, side effects from this physiotherapy procedure are unlikely, but all of them can occur.

In some severe forms of VSD and nervous disorders, it is better to refuse to use this technique with intense effects.

One of the reasons for the occurrence and development of VSD is stress, that is, overexcitation and weakening of the nervous system. But a contrast shower is also inherently a stress factor for the body. Sharp alternations of cold and hot water are a serious strain on the body.

Therefore, this procedure for VSD should be carried out strictly in dosage and with careful monitoring of your condition. By immediately using the maximum load and an irregular time, you can get a worsening of the condition and even an increase in panic attacks.

Rules for taking a contrast shower for VSD:

1. Try to start the procedure in the warm season so that by winter the body is sufficiently accustomed to the effects of cold water.
2. It is not recommended to take such a shower in the morning immediately after sleep. This is too aggressive a way to wake up for an organism weakened by VSD.
3. If you intend to carry out the technique in the evening, then calculate the time at least 2 hours before bedtime. A contrast shower invigorates, and you may feel insomnia for a long time. But there are many people who find this procedure relaxing (by relieving tension and muscle spasms), so observe your sensations for a while and then adjust the regimen to suit you.
4. For the first month, it is recommended to do this shower daily, then every other day.
5. Do not use a contrast of too cold and icy water. Start by alternating warm and cool. Remember that the body must adapt.
6. But you need to start watering from the feet, gradually raising the shower pressure throughout the body. It is not recommended to wet your head.
7. Start the first week with 1 minute, gradually increase the time. But try not to exceed 5-7 minutes. This time is quite enough. Alternating water temperatures should be at intervals of 5-10 seconds.
8. Always finish dousing with cool water.
9. Do not go outside or be exposed to drafts for at least half an hour after showering. Try not to freeze.
10. If during the procedure you feel discomfort (dizziness, tachycardia, deterioration), stop it immediately.

Important!

Women should avoid contrast showers during menstruation. You can return to it immediately after your period ends.

VSDeshniks are not particularly positive. But before starting water therapy, it is very important to tune in to a positive effect. A good mood and faith in the result are important components of restoring health.

If you feel anxiety, fear, or are afraid to start a contrast shower during VSD, then first work on your psyche. In this condition, you are unlikely to get a good therapeutic effect. Any such activity should be enjoyable.

Hypodynamia and VSD

I wrote about this, but it’s worth repeating again: “Inactivity is one of the causes of VSD.” The whole point is that we have a built-in need for movement, otherwise we can get rusty. In essence, our body is the same machine, for which both simple and excessive use and strain are harmful. Everything should be in moderation, but “Movement is life” is very true. With sufficient physical activity, endorphins are produced, the blood accelerates, the muscles acquire the necessary tone, and the metabolism accelerates. Please note that athletic people do not have VSD. I will not repeat this point, since I have already written on this topic: “Exercising from VSD”, “VSD - exercises for the neck”.

Contraindications

Even such useful restorative physiotherapy has its contraindications.

You should not take a contrast shower if:

• Acute inflammatory and infectious processes.
• Critical blood pressure levels (both high and low).
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Neurites.
• Acute cerebrovascular accidents.
• Pathologies of hematopoiesis.
• Serious diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Severe osteochondrosis of the spine.
• Oncological tumors.
• Severe forms of psycho-emotional disorders.

Before you start taking a contrast shower for VSD, you need to consult with your doctor, inform him about all existing diseases (if any) and make sure that this technique is not contraindicated for you.

Important!

You should not do a contrast shower immediately after physical training. This is too much stress on the body, which is fraught with negative consequences. After playing sports, at least 30 minutes should pass, after which you can take this water procedure.

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Pouring cold water

Moderators: Ovula, Tatyana

Pouring cold water

Post by Alua » Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:53 pm

On the advice of her colleague, a man over 30 of strong physique and health, she began to douse herself with cold water. I have character, so I withstood quite a lot. From the very beginning, the procedure “didn’t suit me”; I felt chills, not warming up my body, as he described to me, weakness, not vigor. In the end, arthrosis of the knee joint, which had generally not bothered me before, worsened, and I stopped pouring myself, realizing that it was not for me.

But now I have found out that it turns out that dousing with cold water is not suitable for many people, in particular for women who are hypotensive (and I am precisely hypotensive).

Therefore, I consider it necessary to post here who can and who cannot use this hardening method.

Post by Alua » Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:55 pm

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated for children and women with VSD.

Pouring cold water in the morning is recommended to increase the overall tone of the body and strengthen the immune system. But is this method of treatment really effective? And is dousing with cold water in the morning recommended for everyone?

Pouring cold water: mechanism of action.

Pouring cold water primarily leads to irritation of the skin's cold receptors. From them, exciting impulses are transmitted to the nuclei of the hypothalamus, where they are processed, the excitation is transmitted to the pituitary gland, which produces hormones that are tropic to the adrenal glands. As a result of irritation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, the release of adrenal stress hormones into the blood increases.

Dousing yourself with cold water in the morning = strengthening your immune system?

An increase in general tone under the influence of stress hormones of the adrenal glands is regarded as an increase and strengthening of the immune system. However, stress hormones have never boosted immunity. Moreover, adrenal stress hormones always suppress the immune system. At the same time, stress hormones suppress inflammatory processes. Which many regard as a favorable result. However, let me remind you a little physiology. Inflammation is a typical pathological process with which the body responds to a variety of pathological factors. And suppressing inflammatory reactions instead of eliminating the causes of inflammation is at least incorrect. Very reminiscent of an ostrich's reaction to danger. Only instead of sand, he hides his head in the concrete floor.

Pouring cold water in the morning: contraindications.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated for children at least until puberty. Because Children need warmth, not cold, to grow and develop.

Dousing with cold water in the morning is contraindicated for women suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure). Because Their adrenal glands are not highly efficient anyway. And they cannot maintain the required vascular tone.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated for VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia, vegetodistonia), because The regulatory system is already broken. And it is not advisable to test the autonomic regulation system with another stress factor.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated in the presence of a venous network. And especially with varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids. Because under the influence of stress hormones, blood viscosity sharply increases. And the tendency to form blood clots in blood vessels increases. High risk of thromboembolism and sudden death.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated in the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, and vascular atherosclerosis. Because Stress hormones lead to an exacerbation of these diseases.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated for any type of arrhythmia, because sharply increase the heart rate and can lead to rhythm disruption.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Because Blood sugar levels invariably rise. Which requires increasing the dose of insulin or antidiabetic drugs.

Pouring cold water in the morning is contraindicated for metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints (arthrosis of the knees, hip joints, osteochondrosis of the spine). Because increased muscle tone disrupts the trophism of the interarticular cartilage.

Don't turn a blind eye to existing problems. Pouring cold water in the morning cannot solve most health problems. Moreover, you are simply wasting precious time. But the pathological process continues.

Good health to you all. And a reasonable attitude towards him.”

Personal experience of treating VSD with a contrast shower

When I decided to try a contrast shower, I still had a severe exacerbation of VSD with panic attacks.

By that time, I already understood well what was happening to me and refused all psychotropic medications. By the way, the diagnostics did not reveal any physiological problems for me. According to all indicators and tests, I was physically healthy.

Not finding any contraindications, I began water procedures.

I did a contrast shower during VSD in the evening. About an hour or two before bedtime. It was really invigorating, but overall had a relaxing effect on me. It was a kind of pleasant, relaxed cheerfulness. When you just feel good, you feel like a healthy person and therefore can easily fall asleep.

I didn’t use this shower for too long, about a month, and not always every day. I have never used alternating too cold and very hot water. Temperatures were moderate.

The procedure itself was very pleasant for me. After it you feel unprecedented freshness and lightness.

I have never experienced any side effects. I tolerated the contrast shower very well during an exacerbation of VSD. He definitely helped. But I also used other methods - yoga, psychological techniques (different moods, meditation), drank herbs and really wanted to get better. Therefore, the benefits of a contrast shower can only be discussed as a technique in complex therapy. Thanks to all these techniques, I managed to quickly recover from the crisis of vegetative-vascular dystonia and restore my health.

About VSD and massage

Many articles have been written about the effect of massage in VSD. I will write only one thing - look for a good chiropractor. The principle of do no harm applies here. A truly professional massage brings significant improvements in health and even recovery, especially if VSD is caused by a spinal disorder. But it also happens that the inept actions of amateurs can aggravate the situation and cause exacerbations of the disease. Professionals first of all do an MRI of the vertebrae, and then prescribe a type of massage.

A few words about massage methods for VSD:

Depending on the type of VSD, different types of massage are used. For the hypertensive type - collar, head, for the hypotonic type - lower back, buttocks, for the mixed type - general massage and hardening. If hypotension predominates, then the massage is done with an emphasis on toning, and in the hypertensive type, on sedation.

During sympathoadrenal crises, massage is contraindicated.

Reviews

Find out what other people who have used a contrast shower to combat vegetative-vascular dystonia say.

Alexey, 42 years old

“At one time they helped me get rid of vegetative-vascular dystonia: long-term use of valerian, gymnastics (I did it at home using a video, I chose a set of exercises for myself), contrast showers, daily walks. But I realized for myself that the main thing is not to overload yourself, rest on time, and be less nervous. The doctors didn’t help me then, I got out on my own.”

Marina, 38 years old

“I tried everything. I’ve been living with this VSD for 10 years now. Now my head is in a fog, now my heart is pounding, now I feel weak. Medicines are of no use; doctors shrug their shoulders.

I did a contrast shower, but did not feel any obvious improvement. Maybe I should have done it longer, I did it for a week and quit.”

Svetlana, 27 years old

“I got VSD after a tense period at the institute, three years ago. I thought I was sick with something fatal, I felt so bad. But gradually I studied my problem and realized what needed to be done. I started doing yoga, taking contrast showers, going out into nature more often, and listening to meditations before bed. Now my health is completely normal. I think it all works as a whole. Well, the attitude is very important.”

Dmitry, 34 years old

“I decided to start with radical measures right away; I started dousing myself with cold water. But he caught inflammation and only worsened VSD, he was treated for a month, lay in bed. Then I started trying again, adjusted my routine, started doing contrast showers in the morning, changed my diet, and reconsidered my relationships with many things so that I would be less nervous. Gradually he returned to normal. Otherwise they told me that there is no cure for this and that now I will suffer for the rest of my life. We have such doctors in our suburbs.”

Harm from the procedure

It is prohibited to use this procedure 2 times a day on an ongoing basis and after a month of an intensive course you need to take a 2-3 week break. After it, you can continue to take a contrast shower, but not more than 2 times a week.

In case of vegetative-vascular dystonia, it is not at all recommended to use too ice-cold water, since this disease is characterized by disruptions in the blood circulation of the extremities. An excessively cold stream can further aggravate vascular spasm and the person will begin to have convulsions.

The essence of such physiotherapy is artificially created stress for the body. If you perform the procedure constantly, then instead of strengthening the immune system and nervous system, you can get the opposite effect.

What rules must be followed?

How to take a contrast shower

» data-medium-file=»https://i1.wp.com/o-vsd.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kontrastniy-dush2.jpg?fit=872%2C641&ssl=1″ data- large-file=”https://i1.wp.com/o-vsd.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kontrastniy-dush2.jpg?fit=872%2C641&ssl=1″ class=”wp- image-212 aligncenter" title="How to take a contrast shower" src="https://i1.wp.com/o-vsd.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kontrastniy-dush2.jpg?resize= 290%2C213&ssl=1″ alt=”How to take a contrast shower” srcset=”https://i1.wp.com/o-vsd.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kontrastniy-dush2.jpg?w =872&ssl=1 872w, https://i1.wp.com/o-vsd.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kontrastniy-dush2.jpg?resize=50%2C37&ssl=1 50w, https:/ /i1.wp.com/o-vsd.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kontrastniy-dush2.jpg?resize=624%2C459&ssl=1 624w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px" data-recalc-dims="1″ />Any person diagnosed with “Vegetative-vascular dystonia” carefully perceives all information regarding their disease. Only after studying all available sources does he begin systemic treatment and procedures. What rules should be followed if you decide to be treated with a contrast shower?

Following simple recommendations will help you get the maximum benefit.

You can take a shower, regardless of the time of year outside and the time of day, but you should not do this before going to bed or immediately after waking up.

• Be sure to start with pleasant warm water and end with cold water. Take a warm shower for several minutes to thoroughly warm up your body. After this, you need to suddenly switch to cold (but not too cold!) water.
• Change cool water to warm and vice versa approximately every half a minute or a minute, and stand under hot water a little longer than under cool water. When changing warm water to cold, it is imperative to direct the cold stream onto the face - this normalizes cardiac functions, protecting the heart from overload.
• Douse the entire body from top to bottom, avoiding getting water on the head: such a “bath” for her is fraught with hair loss and decreased visual acuity.
• Carry out three cycles, ending with cool water. Cleansed skin pores close under the influence of cold water, thereby maintaining cleanliness.
• You need to get used to the procedure gradually, over at least half a month.
• You cannot (!) immediately apply temperature changes to the maximum. Very cold water can be turned on no earlier than after several weeks of dousing, and then only for a couple of seconds during the final shower cycle. Otherwise, it can cause a serious negative reaction in the body, and there will be no benefit.

Don't chase quick results, don't speed things up. Everything should be done gradually, with maximum comfort, you should enjoy the procedure, and not shrink into a ball waiting for a cold shower. If you feel chilly after the last cool douse, bring the cold water to a pleasant temperature and run another full cycle.