A groundbreaking study out of the University of Adelaide is set to determine whether ice baths are an effective treatment for endometriosis pain.
With help from a Wilson Foundation grant, Professor Mark Hutchinson will lead researchers from the university’s School of Biomedicine in investigating how cold immersion impacts pelvic pain, psychological status, endometriosis lesion characteristics, nervous system responses, and immune responses amongst those with endometriosis.
Participants will be required to adhere to the ‘Wim Hof Method’ (WHM) for a period of 12 months. Incorporating cold exposure, meditation, and breathing exercises, this popular wellness protocol is claimed anecdotally to help manage endometriosis symptoms.
“Crucial to our study will be an objective quantification of the molecular and cellular effects that the WHM has in women with endometriosis,” Professor Hutchinson said.
“We will quantify how engaging in the WHM practices of breathing exercises, meditation and cold water changes the molecular events in the participants’ bodies.”
Professor Hutchinson said the trial will examine each element of the method, as well as its holistic impact, to assess how effective it is at controlling pain associated with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. It often occurs on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic tissue, where it may cause cysts, scarring, and irritation.
It’s thought that almost one million Australian women and girls suffer from the potentially debilitating condition, though misdiagnosis of symptoms means this figure is likely much higher.
As well as pain, endometriosis can cause fatigue, excessive bleeding, infertility, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or nausea. The symptoms are so varied that for a long time doctors and researchers used to think it was more than one condition.
While it’s now more understood than ever, treatment options leave much to be desired. Pain medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen represent the first and only line of treatment for many, though hormone therapy and pinhole surgery may also provide some relief. In severe cases, the complete removal of the uterus is required (what’s known as a hysterectomy).
If proven effective, it’s hoped that the Wim Hof Method will serve as a natural and sustainable form of treatment for the hundreds of millions of people with endometriosis worldwide. Given the established ability of ice baths to stem inflammation and pain, positive findings certainly seem likely.
At iCoolsport, we’ve long been proponents of Wim Hof’s unique approach to cold therapy, and our “Iceman” chiller is the perfect if you want to embrace it for yourself. Capable of chilling water to as little as 2ºC (35ºF), it allows you to enjoy all the proven physical and mental benefits of ice baths in the comfort of your own home. With easy to use controls it makes taking regular ice baths a cinch and allows you to increase your cold tolerance gradually and consistently.
As for the baths themselves, iCoolsport offers a range of options for varying needs. In fact, iCool invented modern ice baths and are the largest global supplier. From the single-person IceOne bath to solutions big enough for the whole family, we cover all bases.
Our MiPod units combine a durable bath with integrated cooling for an all-in-one experience. Their no-fuss functionality and peerless build quality makes them perfectly suited to all applications.
For those who like it hot, the all-in-one Mipod Mini Hot, Mipod Pro Hot, and MiPod Pro Dual Temp Chill & Heat boast powerful heaters that can reach 40°C (104F) quickly and efficiently.
For more information and news about ice baths, peruse our blog and explore our range online.
