Warming Socks Treatment

Have you heard of the warming socks treatment?

This easy immune-boosting method can be performed at home to help ease fevers, boost the immune system, or rid the body of congestion. Read on to learn more!

Warming socks treatment, also referred to as "wet sock therapy" or "contrast hydrotherapy," draws from the principles of hydrotherapy (a therapeutic approach that utilizes water for physical and mental health benefits) and naturopathic medicine. By initially applying cold, damp socks to the feet, blood vessels constrict, redirecting blood away from the head and alleviating inflammation. Subsequently, dry, warm socks are layered over the damp ones, inducing blood vessel dilation and enhancing blood flow. This therapeutic process is particularly beneficial at bedtime, offering relief for congestion, stuffy nose, or fever, and it's not limited to children; adults and the elderly can also reap its gentle yet effective advantages.

This time-tested hydrotherapy technique aims to address various symptoms, including congestion in the throat, lungs, sinuses, and ears, fever, headaches, and sleep disturbances. Administered promptly at the onset of symptoms, it may help shorten the duration of fevers, flu, and colds. Beyond symptom relief, the treatment targets calming the nervous system, improving circulation, inducing relaxation, de-congesting the head and chest areas, and bolstering immune function for enhanced healing and recovery.

What You Need:

• One pair of cotton socks

• One pair of wool or polar fleece socks will work here, too, as you are mainly looking for something insulating. ( It can help to have these in a size larger than your normal socks. You can also use adult-sized wool socks on your little ones.)

• Water

How To Use Warming Socks

Step 1- First of all, it is beneficial to start this off with nice warm feet.  To do this, soak your feet in warm water for 5-10 minutes. You can take a nice warm shower or bath too.

Step 2- Soak the cotton socks in cold water and wring them out thoroughly. You don’t want the socks to be dripping water, but you also don’t want to make them too dry. They should nice and damp, wet to the touch.

Step 3- Put the wet, cool cotton socks on your dry, warm feet.

Step 4- Put the dry wool sock on over the top.

Step 5- Now off to bed! Bundle up and keep the socks on all night as you sleep. When you wake up, the cotton socks should be warm and almost fully dry. This technique works best when used on the first signs of illness and utilized for a few nights in a row.

Why and How the Wet Sock Treatment Works

This simple treatment not only helps to stimulate immune function is also calms the nervous system while decongesting the head and chest. This activity helps to increase blood, Qi, and lymph circulation while increasing lymphatic drainage.

• Increases circulation hence boosts the immune system

• Non-invasive simple care for all ages.

• Helps improve sleep

Resources

• http://www.pnas.org/content/110/30/12480.abstract

• Chowdhury RS, Islam MD, Akter K, Sarkar MAS, Roy T, Rahman SMT. Therapeutic Aspects of Hydrotherapy: A Review. Bangladesh J Medicine 2021; 32: 138-141.

---

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

STILL HUNGRY?