Hello! This might be a little controversial, but I am going to talk about something that has been working for ME. If you havent tried it, don't dismiss it. Especially if you suffer from anything similar to what I do.
So for the last 3-4 years, my hands have been getting progressively worse (colder) during winter. It got to the point where I have been wearing electrically heated gloves, WHILE holding hand-warmers, and even that was not enough. I'd have to run my hands through warm water for 5-10 minutes after arriving at the studio, before I did my warm up exercises.
It has really become a hinderance to my playing.
I realize this is due to bloodflow, and a natural restriction of the veins and capillaries as I age. I quit smoking many years ago, but the fact that I ever did smoke, is likely also a contributing factor.
I do heavy workouts 4-6 days a week, and I'm in exceptional shape for my age.
I do sauna, hand exercises and much more.
But nothing has really helped, until now.
For the last few years I've been doing cold exposure/ice baths pretty regularily. I start my day with a coffee or two, then I jump in the shower and go full blast on cold for 2-3 minutes.
OR I get in a ice-tub I have in my yard, if I have a little more time.
Now this in itself has done nothing for my hands, but it's contributed alot to my overall health.
Recently I started reading and watching alot more on Wim Hof, AKA "The Iceman". A dutch meditation teacher who has set world records in cold exposure, ran a marathon in the snow, naked, and more.
His method for dealing with cold hands is straight up shoving them into ice and taking the pain for as long as you can.
It's UNBEARABLE. The pain intensifies (for me) for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, spreading from my hands to my whole body, and my brain is screaming to take my hand out. So much so that I have to use my other hand to hold it down. Literally fighting myself to stay in the pain.
But heres the kicker; after 1 min and 30s, the pain starts to pass, and when I pull my hand out at around the 2 minute mark (for now, I'm working my way up), a new kind of warmth fills it. From the inside.
It's hard to describe, but it's as if internal heating suddenly switches on and floods my hands. Its still icy cold on the outside, but the warmth comes from within, and eventually heats up the outside aswell. It feels so good in the joints, better than "outside" heat ever has.
There is alot of science behind this. Basically what happens is nerve and bloodflow shutdown, and re-activation when the body realizes internal organs are not being exposed to the cold, just the hands. The result is increased bloodflow, with oxygen and nutrients practically bursting through the veins in the hands. You also get a sizeable dopamine hit, which is the cherry on top. I know it all sounds very counter-intuitive, but basically what it does is force your veins and capillaries to open up more.
I've only been practising this for about a week now, but my hands feel much better in general. I have reduced inflamation, increased bloodflow, warmer hands - which again means greater agility and speed.
I was very upset about the progression of the coldness in my hands, fearing the absolute worst; that I might have to quit playing, or God forbid, start playing with a pick (kidding).
This has saved me, and I am eternally thankful to Wim Hof for introducing me to this method.
Please, if you are suffering from anything similar to what I have been going through, get a bucket, fill it with ice and cold water, and shove your hand in there for as long as you can. add 5-10 seconds every day. I guarantee you it will help. If it's too painful, start with just 30-40 seconds. When you pull out your hand, wipe off the water and shake it about a bit. This helps the bloodflow.
Just wanted to share this, if even just 1 of you tries this and it helps, it's worth the time it took to write this out.
Best wishes, HK.
So for the last 3-4 years, my hands have been getting progressively worse (colder) during winter. It got to the point where I have been wearing electrically heated gloves, WHILE holding hand-warmers, and even that was not enough. I'd have to run my hands through warm water for 5-10 minutes after arriving at the studio, before I did my warm up exercises.
It has really become a hinderance to my playing.
I realize this is due to bloodflow, and a natural restriction of the veins and capillaries as I age. I quit smoking many years ago, but the fact that I ever did smoke, is likely also a contributing factor.
I do heavy workouts 4-6 days a week, and I'm in exceptional shape for my age.
I do sauna, hand exercises and much more.
But nothing has really helped, until now.
For the last few years I've been doing cold exposure/ice baths pretty regularily. I start my day with a coffee or two, then I jump in the shower and go full blast on cold for 2-3 minutes.
OR I get in a ice-tub I have in my yard, if I have a little more time.
Now this in itself has done nothing for my hands, but it's contributed alot to my overall health.
Recently I started reading and watching alot more on Wim Hof, AKA "The Iceman". A dutch meditation teacher who has set world records in cold exposure, ran a marathon in the snow, naked, and more.
His method for dealing with cold hands is straight up shoving them into ice and taking the pain for as long as you can.
It's UNBEARABLE. The pain intensifies (for me) for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, spreading from my hands to my whole body, and my brain is screaming to take my hand out. So much so that I have to use my other hand to hold it down. Literally fighting myself to stay in the pain.
But heres the kicker; after 1 min and 30s, the pain starts to pass, and when I pull my hand out at around the 2 minute mark (for now, I'm working my way up), a new kind of warmth fills it. From the inside.
It's hard to describe, but it's as if internal heating suddenly switches on and floods my hands. Its still icy cold on the outside, but the warmth comes from within, and eventually heats up the outside aswell. It feels so good in the joints, better than "outside" heat ever has.
There is alot of science behind this. Basically what happens is nerve and bloodflow shutdown, and re-activation when the body realizes internal organs are not being exposed to the cold, just the hands. The result is increased bloodflow, with oxygen and nutrients practically bursting through the veins in the hands. You also get a sizeable dopamine hit, which is the cherry on top. I know it all sounds very counter-intuitive, but basically what it does is force your veins and capillaries to open up more.
I've only been practising this for about a week now, but my hands feel much better in general. I have reduced inflamation, increased bloodflow, warmer hands - which again means greater agility and speed.
I was very upset about the progression of the coldness in my hands, fearing the absolute worst; that I might have to quit playing, or God forbid, start playing with a pick (kidding).
This has saved me, and I am eternally thankful to Wim Hof for introducing me to this method.
Please, if you are suffering from anything similar to what I have been going through, get a bucket, fill it with ice and cold water, and shove your hand in there for as long as you can. add 5-10 seconds every day. I guarantee you it will help. If it's too painful, start with just 30-40 seconds. When you pull out your hand, wipe off the water and shake it about a bit. This helps the bloodflow.
Just wanted to share this, if even just 1 of you tries this and it helps, it's worth the time it took to write this out.
Best wishes, HK.
