Note on Covid-19. Obviously, our country, and the world, is preoccupied with, and rightfully disturbed by, coronavirus. From a personal point of view, I will not be able to add anything that you have not learned on the 24-7 media coverage of the virus. Out-and-about in our communities (if you are out-and-about), people seem to jump at the slightest cough and cringe at a sneeze – especially if not contained in the elbow. Understandable. But there are many among us who also still have normal colds and sinus conditions. For anyone who may wish to limit their typical–type sinus or congestion complications, and at the same time avoid the feeling of being a pariah, perhaps enjoy this light-hearted approach to problems of much less concern.
On the serious stage, if you wonder if people are ‘over-reacting’ to Covid-19 disease, and would like to see more on the statistics and not just hype. Take a look at this article; it may indeed show you something that the 24-7 media has not. First written on March 10th it was updated on March 13th and hopefully will be updated again. A great deal of information is there (with numerous charts). The message is clear – please do act and take care. https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca
So……….. follow the rules, stay safe, self-quarantine when possible, don’t shake hands like some elected officials that are bad role-models, S-P-R-E-A-D – O-U-T — and keep positive. 
drb
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Chatting on the phone to my friend Shelley, she sounded terribly congested, with a cold and coughing. Kind of scary in these coronavirus times. She admitted to feeling rotten but no fever as with covid-19 and sensed most of it was head and upper respiratory. She planned on going to a doc for help.
Three days later when I spoke to her, it sounded like barely a trace of the problem remained. While not feeling 100% better, she claimed to be “much improved – like night and day.”
She had gone to a naturopath near her. She asked me, ‘have you ever heard of Cold Sock Therapy.” What? I needed her to repeat that one. But, no, I had not. I laughed a little, then said “yuck, sounds gross.” I didn’t say it sounded ridiculous, because — well, who knows?
This is of course anecdotal, but she is intelligent and was personally amazed by the therapy and how quickly she benefited from it. She confirmed she would use it again.
It turns out this is a treatment recommended by many naturopaths and alternative physicians, and used for centuries as a home remedy. I’ve just missed it somehow. I’ll provide instructions later, however here’s the general idea. You place cold wet socks on your feet under big dry wool ones and get into bed under warm covers. Don’t confuse these cold socks with ‘special’ socks sold online that are promoted for foot pain and other conditions — not the same. This is a simple type of hydrotherapy technique, using water in treatment, but combining with cold rather than the more common heat.
The claim is that the body reacts to the encased cold socks by increasing blood flow and stimulating the immune system. The recommended treatment is usually suggested only for congestion of head, throat and upper respiratory passages. I might try it one day, but not everyone’s so opened minded about it.
Sock Skeptic Side
A well-known skeptic of all things alternative is pediatrician Clay Jones who is a regular contributor to a site called Science-based Medicine, which focuses on exploring issues and controversies in the relationship between science and medicine. It has good information but could fairly be titled ‘debunking the alternative health world’, and be on target.
Dr. Jones is always on the lookout for pseudoscience, and I do appreciate his emphasis on critical thinking and skepticism. Of course, like the group itself, he has built a reputation on discrediting almost everything not in a traditional hospital or on the pharmaceutical shelf. It would seem unusual (read that as ‘never’) for them to promote any type of holistic remedy. On some subjects that I have more knowledge, I have known them to be unfair, offering a slanted or half story.
Jones never seems to miss the chance for a joke or put-down of alternative approaches. Still, I want to mention a couple of his complaints about Cold Sock Therapy, which he calls “Magic Socks.” [I presumed this was a disparaging remark, but later found some practitioners, like Dr. Igor Schwartzman in one of the videos below, actually use the term as well. So I send a mental apology to Dr. Jones.] The arguments Jones makes (from 2015) might be worth considering – specifically his complaints about the functional explanations of Cold Sock Therapy.
Jones reminds us that inflammation is “a consequence of normal immune function and circulation.” Suppressing it OR “revving it up” (especially in children) could make matters worse. While he continues to rail against naturopaths in general, he makes one point that I too always find annoying.
He says that “magic socks” or Cold Sock Therapy always comes with the recommendation that “treatment must be initiated at the first hint of symptoms.” His concern is that this being said, if the treatment fails, the patient can be blamed for not starting soon enough. And if they do begin as directed and complete 3 days’ worth of treatment, that corresponds to a period for which many such conditions ameliorate naturally.
I have noticed this advice for numerous other treatments as well, and think it bears reflection. To contradict myself, my friend Shelley was long past the time of “first symptoms” and explained she felt significantly better the very next day after first use. She did continue the 3-day recommendation period as generally suggested.
I am quoting some of Dr. Jones’ statements below. I think it’s reasonable to consider his misgivings. But I also wonder if it’s the simple, vague descriptions and explanations from the alternative docs that bug Jones the most. Perhaps the explanations are specious even if the treatment DOES work. Or perhaps Jones just doesn’t like the whole philosophy of striving for ‘homeostasis’ in the body. Either way, he certainly can’t fear-monger on side-effects for this one.
Regular readers of Science-Based Medicine have likely already picked up on
some very common themes found in so-called natural medicine
provided by naturopathic physicians.
“Boosting the immune system” is a nearly ubiquitous claim
that sounds like a great idea but falls apart
under even light scrutiny. The immune system is an extremely complicated mechanism
defined by the complex interaction of a variety of cellular and structural components
rather than a singular entity that can be boosted by chilly toes or,
as is also frequently claimed, suppressed by environmental toxins.
Which aspect of the immune system is “boosted” by magic socks?
Innate or adaptive processes? Natural killer cells or lymphocytes?
Complement or immunoglobulin levels?
Furthermore, it is the immune system which is largely responsible for the
initial symptomatology of most infections
— Dr. Clay Jones
“Magic Socks?”
Alternative Medicine’s Obsession
with Your Feet”
(as posted on Science
Based Medicine 2015)
I have been in the room on more than one occasion when alternative physicians have had conversations that go something like this: “when we know something works, we aren’t going to stop, or spend time researching instead of treating. Why? All that just to satisfy nay-sayers, who don’t even consider – or study – synergy effects of natural approaches?” I get that. Still, we probably need both.
Convinced Me Not
Frankly, I am not convinced that the Cold Sock Therapy does not work. Nor am I convinced it is clear WHY it might work. Anecdotal cases are just that – one-off stories, and rightfully unconvincing to researchers. HOWEVER, Cold Sock Therapy costs virtually nothing, has NO age limit (grandma to grandkids), and basically no side-effects. Further, there is nothing restricting the use of Cold Sock Therapy with conventional medicines if a person chooses.
If it is a placebo that’s okay. If it helps me get over a cold, congestion or flu (not stomach flu) and does so without me paying for drugs – either with dollars or body reactions, I think I’ll give it a try one day. Maybe you already have.
Cold Sock Therapy Instructions
Most practitioners that suggest this activity do so mainly for congested nasal passages and upper pulmonary issues.
Directions:
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- Soak a pair of thin, cotton anklet socks in ice water. [You can soak just the foot section and not ankle if you wish.] You can even put them in the freezer (again, yuck). I’ve seen it said that the cotton socks must be at least 90% cotton and the wool 90% wool. The point is that they need good absorbent capabilities, so simply use 100% of each if you have them.
… - Warm Feet thoroughly (shower, bath, heating pad) at least 3 minutes. Should look rosy. This step is vital, don’t skip it. Dry feet totally if heated with water.
… - Wring out wet socks completely and put them on.
… - Place a pair of heavy wool socks over the wet ones and over the ankles. [Some say you can dry heat the wool socks as well, but it isn’t necessary.]
… - Place a towel on the bed – simply to protect bedding.
… - Get under the covers immediately and sleep. Some people claim it has calming effects and helps small children with congestion sleep better. [Stay covered and sleep with socks on all night. They should not be removed until dry; this usually only takes 4-5 hours. ]
… - Repeat for a minimum of 3 nights consecutively. [If you wish to do it more than once in one night, you can skip re-warming the feet – they’re already warm from the covers.]
If you are home ‘sick’ there is no magic (hmmm) that requires the night. Daytime usage should follow the same protocol as nighttime, specifically the number of hours needed to relax or sleep covered up until socks are dry.
When procedure is followed as directed, the feet will actually start warming up in a matter of a few minutes. Proponents say that you may see relief from the congestion within 30 minutes. As your own little experiment, if you don’t use a decongestant or antihistamine I guess you would be able to compare cold sock therapy effectiveness on both congestion and sleep. At least for your own personal reaction.
Final Thought
Below are two videos, one using yet another term for the process (‘Wet Warming Socks’) and the other using the dreaded ‘Magic Socks’ terminology, although the doc does NOT sound like he believes in actual magic. They aren’t making money in their promotion and I figured you might like to see their take on it, as well as their instructions.
I can’t recommend this from personal experience. And for my part, when I do sometime use it, I won’t care if it works for me simply on a placebo course of action. I will keep my mind open to it. I like hearing about or looking out for helpful remedies that can make life more comfortable.
If it works, whatever the reason, I say “Sock it to Me.”
—
Dr. Peter Swanz presents “Warming Wet Socks”
Dr. Igor Schwartzman presents “Cold, Flu, Cough: The Magical Socks Treatment:
—
Picture credit: 2 colorful striped socks – Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
References:
Dive Feet First into Wellness with a Natural Remedy. Bastyr University: https://health.bastyr.edu/news/health-tips/2009/11/dive-feet-first-wellness-natural-remedy
Clay Jones opposition paper “Magic Socks – Alternative Medicines’ Obsession with your Feet” https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/magic-socks-alternative-medicines-obsession-with-your-feet/
Heartland Naturopathic clinic “Cold Sock Therapy” https://www.heartlandnaturopathic.com/coldsock.htm
Video: Dr. Peter Swanz presents “Warming Wet Socks” https://youtu.be/ZV1VoBCj4rE
Video: Dr. Igor Schwartzman presents “Cold, Flu, Cough: The Magical Socks Treatment: https://youtu.be/A_36bDhwHPA or
