Ice baths

[Littlepicasso3]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the ice baths you can buy and use at home . My legs, arms and shoulders are so painful with my fibromyalgia and I wondered if a daily plunge into an ice bath would help . I have terrible muscle fatigue which is really starting to impact on exercise . Willing to try anything to improve QOL .

[FindingMyself60]

Hello Littlepicasso3,

Sorry not been on the group over the weekend . We have an ice bath in our garden. I have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. I ache over my body every day and will try anything for a little relief. I have been using the ice bath for a couple of months now. Started with 1 minute and now do 10 minutes whilst listening to some relaxing meditation. I find it really relaxes me for a while and provides me with some relief.

There are gyms that have these baths you could maybe try before purchasing or fill your bath with cold water and some ice and see how you get on.

Do let us know if you try it.

[Dimoodles in reply to FindingMyself60]

I've not even considered using them as I find that the cold makes me worse. The initial blast of ice cold makes my body tense up and it takes days to get my muscles to relax. I find the opposite and having a hot bath does wonders but we all find different things wirk for us.

[FindingMyself60 in reply to Dimoodles]

Hi Dimoodles, I understand what you are saying. It wasn’t easy for me to overcome the initial tensing up however once I overcome that there are some benefits. However understand everyone will have different experiences. I do also prefer the warm baths however do both as both for me have benefits.

[Littlepicasso3 in reply to Dimoodles]

Thank you for your thoughts . I was wary as many folk site skin sensitivity as an issue with their fibromyalgia. I don’t have that atm but the more I read the science behind the cold baths the more I’ve been thinking I should give it a go . I think some mindfulness/meditation while dipping in will be key . Thanks again for your response ☺️

[Littlepicasso3 in reply to FindingMyself60]

Thank you for that personal experience. I feel on balance that I will try it as the muscle aches and heat generated in my legs is pushing me down that route of cold therapy . I take magnesium hot baths which do help with the overall aches for about 24hrs. I’ll update you with my findings ☺️

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I am reading with interest the different replies from members , I’ve never tried this route , the only cold I’ve done this year is too paddle my feet in the cold sea and that was lush especially when it’s hot, me personally in the colder months my hot water bottles /heat pad are great as is my evening soak in the bath 😀