Get Well Soon with Wet Socks Therapy

When I was sick with the [non-stomach type of] flu last week, my new naturalpathic doctor gave me some homeopathic medicines in pill form.  Easy enough.  Then she told me to try Wet Socks Therapy.

Excuse me? Wet socks.  In the winter.  While I’m sick…Is a way to get well?

Here’s the low-down, as given to me by Natural Choices.

Rationale:

Wet sock treatment is an easy and effective way to boost the immune system.  It causes the body to think it’s under attack or threatened by the cold, wet socks.  By changing the temperature of the feet, it causes the body to do the same thing it would do for any threat: It initiates a fever response (one of the body’s best defenses) and raises the circulating amount of white blood cells.

This can also be a preventative measure if you’re feeling run down, on the cusp of getting sick, or are surrounded by others who are sick.

Effects:

The treatment acts to reflexively increase the circulation and decrease congestion in the upper respiratory passages, head and throat.  It has a sedating action and many people report sleeping much better during the treatment.  It’s also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute infections.

Supplies:

• 1 pair of white cotton socks
• 1 pair of thick wool socks

Directions:

1. Soak the cotton socks in cold water. Wring them out thoroughly so they’re just damp and not dripping.
2. Place wet sock on feet and cover with dry wool socks. Go directly to bed and avoid getting chilled.
3. Keep the socks on overnight. The wet socks will be dry in the morning.  If they’re not dry, it could be a sign that your body does not have the energy to mount an adequate response to the therapy.  You should see the doctor.

Cautions:

This treatment may not be appropriate if you have a circulatory disorder, advanced diabetes, if you have certain types of cancer or in some cases of HIV and AIDS.  If you have a pre-existing chronic condition, you should speak to your doctor before trying this therapy.

So…Did it work?

It wasn’t a cure-all in my case, but I did wake up without body aches and without a sore throat for the first time in four days, and I was able to blow my nose easier.  If I’d known to do this earlier, I think I could have weakened the illness before it grew to such an intense strength.  In the future, I’ll try the wet socks when I start to get that feeling where my body is fighting a coming illness.

Good Health to you!

 

 

 

Tags: cold remedy, flu remedy, homeopathic, illness preventative, keep from getting sick, natural medicine, prevent illness, ways to get well, wet socks therapy, winter illness