Holidays wearing you down? Exhaustion from Overexertion If your doctor has ruled out any other problems that could cause fatigue, hydrotherapy techniques can be used to help you rejuvenate and invigorate. A contrast shower is very effective because a short hot shower stimulates the circulation and metabolism, as does a short cold shower. By alternating the two showers, you can be invigorated. For ultimate results, a circulatory massage can help stimulate the flow of blood and lymph to ease musculoskeletal discomfort. Even a short massage using tapotement (percussion) and other stimulating techniques (vibration, etc.) can help stimulate the exhausted person. Contrast Shower: Duration and Frequency ~ 10 to 15 minutes Procedure: 1. Take a short (2 minutes) hot shower followed by a short (1 minute) cold shower. The hot shower should be as hot as you can tolerate, short of burning, and the cold one as cold as you can tolerate. Repeat the hot and cold shower two to five times. (note: for an added boost, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil in the shower - i.e. peppermint essential oil is stimulating, lavender relaxing, citrus oils are mood lifters.) This week's hydrotherapy tip from: "Modern Hydrotherapy for the Massage Therapist" by Marybetts Sinclair, Copywright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Wolters Kluwer business. |