[OldMan (OP)]

Me again,

So whats the deal with alternating between hot and cold in the shower after a day of heavy physical activity. It is supposed to help out with reducing muscular soreness the next day and for what I can tell it seems to help. Something about constricting and expanding the blood vessels but if someone can expand on why will be much appreciated.

Cheers

Tim

[stinkinstudentlamo]

I think it is to do with the expansion and constriction of blood vessels.

If you alternate between them then they would be expanding and constricting. causing a small amount of movement within the muscles.

Maybe this is a way of 'warming down' after strenuous activity. it prevents the build up of the lactic acid that causes stiffness.

Just an idea

[neilep]

Hi Tim,

Welcome back....try and visit more often will you ?

I have heard exactly the same thing about dealing with cramp, alternating between hot and cold.

I am  sure stinkingstudentlamo above is on the right track.

Lets hope a passing 'hot-then-cold-muscle' expert posts the definitive explanation.

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[ukmicky]

Hot and cold showers/flushes and there's me thinking it had something to do with women and the menopause []

Michael                                      

[Karen W.]

Cold seems it would open the pours and allow cleansing of sweaty skin and then would not the hot close the pours again.. aiding in just eliminating sweat toxins dirt etc.. or am I full of rubbish?? LOL

Whoops this is a 2005 thread! Sorry guys but it caught my eye.. LOL!LOL

[neilep]

Cold seems it would open the pours and allow cleansing of sweaty skin and then would not the hot close the pours again.. aiding in just eliminating sweat toxins dirt etc.. or am I full of rubbish?? LOL

Whoops this is a 2005 thread! Sorry guys but it caught my eye.. LOL!LOL

I think it's great ewe resurrect old threads karen......for the majority of us it'll be the first time it's been seen !!

[elegantlywasted]

I'm sure hot/cold showers work the same way as an Icy/Hot cream. The cold/icy reduces inflammation in the muscle (much like an ice pack after a hard day at the gym). Then the hot water relaxes the muscle.

Cold seems it would open the pours and allow cleansing of sweaty skin and then would not the hot close the pours again.. aiding in just eliminating sweat toxins dirt etc.. or am I full of rubbish?? LOL

Karen you're thinking the opposite. The vapours from warm or hot water open the pores, and cold water doesnt "close" them but doesn't help to open them at all.

[Karen W.]

I thought it might have been backwards as my dermatologist years ago, tried to explain it to me...LOL I still missed something cause I was sure he said one helped close them also.. but it has beeen years literally so I am sure I am forgetting all the details! LOL! Thanks meg!

[Karen W.]

Cold seems it would open the pours and allow cleansing of sweaty skin and then would not the hot close the pours again.. aiding in just eliminating sweat toxins dirt etc.. or am I full of rubbish?? LOL

Whoops this is a 2005 thread! Sorry guys but it caught my eye.. LOL!LOL

I think it's great ewe resurrect old threads karen......for the majority of us it'll be the first time it's been seen !!

Well Sometimes my brain does not work on a threads life cycle and something may eventually click but it may be a long long way down the road..! LOL! I was here I should have remembered this thread eh???! LOL
Thanks Neily!

[kdlynn]

hot loosens poors, cold closes them up

[Karen W.]

How do they get loose...LOL Just kidding you..

[kdlynn]

ok loosens the dirt. i was at work when i put that. lol

[Karen W.]

I was only teasing.. LOl Hugs! I liked the way you put it! I knew exactly what you meant!