Hello,
I have RRMS and currently on Ocrevus following two relapses last year (optic neuritis, intense nerve pain in my hands and fingers, numbness in my torso, fatigue, tingling feet, muscle spasms). I’ve been left with fatigue and residual symptoms which flare when I get tired but I am mobile and only lose balance when tired later in the evenings.
I’m considering trying cold water swimming at my local lido this winter as heard the cold is beneficial for anxiety and inflammation. Has anyone tried this and can give their experience on how they found it?
For extra context, I’m late 30’s, mum of two, try to keep active in general but not been swimming properly in years (other than bouncing around in a pool while my kids swam!)
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If you want to start small, you could just try cold showers. I took them up during lockdown and the habit has stuck. It’s very much beginners’ slopesstuff in comparison to a proper cold plunge let alone cold water swimming, but if you wanted to dip your toe in the water so to speak, it’s a gentle way to start.
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Oh, and yes, I do find the cold shower good for mood. Particularly if I’ve had a bad night or have just woken up feeling anxious or grumpy, a cold shower washesaway the bad mood, no question. The mood-lift might not last all day, but it definitely lifts my spirits first thing and helps me to face the day with better courage.
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You might find the Wim Hof method interesting.
MS relief | Wim Hof Method
MS patients use the Wim Hof Method to relieve their symptoms in a number of ways. For starters, the combination of specific breathing exercises and cold showers is known to strengthen the body’s immune response, which has a positive effect on the reduction of inflammation associated with the development and progression of multiple sclerosis. Moreover, damaged nerves are known to perform poorly at higher temperatures. Unsurprisingly, MS patients who incorporate cold showers into their daily routines report serious benefits such as regained feeling in body parts that had lost sensation, increased energy, and even recovery from MS related urinary difficulties.
Discover the science behind the Wim Hof Method
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I find cold water makes all symptoms worse, and getting out the water is like legs have been injected with lead, struggling more, feel heavy. My best advice is hydrotherapy in a warm pool first to see how you respond in general to being in water, both at the time and afterwards. If no specific hydrotherapy or spa pool nearby, sometimes the kids pool at local leisure centres is warmer, and try walking and doing some exercises in there. Try getting into the ‘adult’ pool and do the same, and see how you respond.
That sounds exactly like my reaction to getting too warm! Strange how the same disease process expresses itself in such different ways.
Thank you both - I hadn’t even thought about cold showers! That sounds like a great way to introduce so I will be giving it a go.
the science looks interesting - anything I can do, I’m willing to try!
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I’ve read quite a bit about cold water exposure being beneficial for inflammation and mood, but it really depends on how your body reacts. I started small with short brief dips (about 2 minutes a day, 10 degrees Celsius cold water), which helped me ease into it safely. The community stories and advice from places like Chief Ice Officer and the International Ice Swimming Association have also been very helpful in understanding how to do it gradually and safely. It can definitely be uplifting if you do it mindfully.
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Totally agree. Starting with cold showers is a smart way to build tolerance. It really helped my body and mind to adjust before starting full cold swims
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Hi,
I’ve done bits of cold water swimming, bit out of the habit now. I’ve never found it worsened my MS in any way.
One thing it did help with was muscle pains/cramp after a long walk! Stepping into really cold water removed the pain at once. So I think it can be quite good for chronic pain.
I’d definitely agree with the advice above, to go into the water slowly to avoid shock, stay within your depth and perhaps go with others if this is new to you…
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