Alternating bath

The alternating bath is a physical form of therapy in which the alternation of cold and warm baths relieves tension in the vegetative nervous system and trains the cardiovascular system.

The feet are alternately bathed in cold and hot water. You need a foot basin with water at around 12–20 degrees and another foot basin with water at around 36–38 degrees. For an alternating bath, the feet should first be placed in the hot water for about 5 minutes, then in the cold water for about 15 to 20 seconds. This change from hot to cold water should be carried out a total of two to three times. Compared to other baths, an alternating bath is very stimulating.

Alternating baths are used for chronically cold feet, for states of exhaustion and tiredness, for insufficient circulation and circulatory disorders without an organic cause, for headaches, for varicose veins and to strengthen the immune system . Alternating baths should not be used for inflammation of the urinary bladder , kidneys or abdomen, nor for thromboses (vascular blockages in the legs) or Raynaud's disease (vascular disease).

The roller coaster was particularly promoted by Sebastian Kneipp .

See also

• Treading water

Individual references and web links

1. ↑ ^{a b} Jürgen Heisel: Physical medicine . Thieme, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-13-139881-7 , p. 83 .
2. ↑ Claudia Haug: Literature review and assessment of studies to prove the effectiveness of Kneipp hydrotherapy . Dissertation to obtain a doctorate in medicine from the Medical Faculty of Ulm University, 2003, p. 10 (accessed on July 19, 2010).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !