How does the Charcot shower procedure work?
The effectiveness of the method lies in the effect on the body of jets of water, which are supplied under high pressure (from 2 to 4 atmospheres) and have a contrasting temperature (20-40 oC). The procedure is carried out in a special shower room as follows:
- The patient should stand at a distance of 3-5 m from the shower chair, behind which is the person conducting the session. If the shower is painful, you need to move away. To enhance the impact, you can stand closer.
- Water is directed onto the patient's body, first with a fan, then with a compact jet under pressure.
- Next, parts of the body (arms, back, sides, legs) are treated one by one with jets of hot, then cold water.
- The body must gradually get used to the load, so in the first sessions only one jet is used. In this case, the water temperature should be 36-40 oC. In subsequent sessions it is gradually reduced, bringing it to 20 °C by the end of the course. On the contrary, the jet pressure increases.
- If a Scottish shower is performed, during 1 procedure the water temperature is changed several times: first, the patient is exposed to hot (up to 42 °C) water for 30-40 seconds, and then switched to cold (15-20 °C) for 14-20 seconds .
- The shower is directed from head to toe, first to the front surface of the body, then to the side and back surfaces. At the same time, avoid getting water on the head, the area of the spinal column, the genitals, and mammary glands.
- Each limb is affected in turn (along the course of large vessels), after which the water is directed to the stomach (clockwise).
At the end of the procedure, the patient is given a fan contrast shower.
The duration of the first sessions of Charcot's shower is 1-2 minutes, then by the end of the course it is gradually increased to 5-7 minutes. It is recommended to carry out the procedure once every 2-3 days. You should not come to Charcot's shower sessions every day, since in this case the load on the body will be excessive. Depending on the indications and tolerability, the course of treatment may consist of several sessions - from 10 to 15. The cycle of procedures can be repeated after 6 months.
The procedure must be carried out by a competent specialist who can objectively assess the condition of the patient’s body and correctly change the jet pressure, adjust the water temperature, and, if necessary, provide medical assistance. Otherwise, the session may lead to negative consequences.
Do you need any preparation for the procedures?
A Charcot shower session does not require any special preparation. You need to take with you:
- swimsuit (or swimming trunks);
- shower cap;
- slates;
- towel.
After the procedure, no special skin care is needed. If muscle pain occurs, use painkillers and, if necessary, buy a product to speed up the resorption of bruises.
Processes in gynoid lipodystrophy
Cellulite is a disease of the subcutaneous fatty tissue, manifested in the area of estrogen-dependent zones (the area of the anterior abdominal wall, buttocks and thighs) with the “orange peel” symptom. These changes develop in almost 80% of women, regardless of body weight, age, body type and physical activity.
At the initial stages, they are accompanied by minor aseptic inflammation of adipose tissue, when a disturbance of metabolic processes occurs in adipocytes, which subsequently leads to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipose tissue, microcirculation disorders in it and the development of pronounced fibrosis of connective tissue in subcutaneous fat.
Adipocytes are usually surrounded by a network of blood capillaries that provide metabolism in fat cells. Grouping, the latter form lobules, separated from each other by connective tissue partitions, which contain nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels. Inside adipocytes there are vacuoles in which lipids with a high content of saturated fatty acids accumulate, as a result of which the cell can increase in volume by 40-100 times. Regulation of lipid accumulation (lipogenesis) and their breakdown (lipolysis) is carried out through the receptor apparatus on the surface of cell membranes with the participation of hormones.
Normal is a balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. It is disrupted under the influence of many triggering factors - genetic predisposition, dysfunction of the endocrine system, stressful conditions, poor nutrition, the influence of negative environmental factors, age-related changes, vascular diseases, etc. Cellulite develops when intracellular metabolic processes are disrupted and lipids accumulate in vacuoles.
As a result of this, adipocytes increase in volume and compress the blood vessels located between them, which leads to the development of vascular sclerosis, increased permeability of the vascular wall and the release of the liquid part of the blood into the intercellular tissue. Edema occurs (the edematous stage of cellulite), stretching and disruption of the structure of collagen fibers with their thickening, further limiting the circulation of fluid in the tissues and the supply of hormones and enzymes involved in the processes of lipolysis to the cells.
Deterioration of blood circulation and lymph flow, accumulation of toxins in tissues cause cell death and their replacement with fibrous fibrous connective tissue (tissue sclerosis, or liposclerosis). Grouped sclerotic adipocytes form “clusters” (fibrosis stage).
Thus, gynoid lipodystrophy is a pathological condition of subcutaneous fatty tissue, caused by disruption of intracellular metabolic processes and innervation, disorder of blood and lymph circulation, tissue edema and degenerative changes. It is manifested by tissue deformation, pronounced pastiness, decreased skin turgor, changes in the relief and color of the skin surface in estrogen-dependent areas of the body.
The benefits and harms of the procedure
A cycle of Charcot's shower sessions has a general strengthening, tonic effect on the body, and also has many other positive effects:
- Improves the functioning of blood vessels, the lymphatic system, and increases the number of capillaries. As a result of increased blood flow, internal organs are better supplied with oxygen and nutrients.
- Depending on the temperature of the water, the tone of the striated muscles and blood vessels increases or decreases.
- The procedure stimulates the functions of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, in turn this helps to improve the functioning of the endocrine and nervous systems.
- The body begins a self-healing process. After several sessions, a person feels cheerful and energetic.
- The manifestations of symptoms of inflammation and pain are reduced.
- The immune system is activated.
- Metabolism accelerates, which promotes weight loss and improves the processes of excretion of cellular metabolic products. We can say that Charcot's shower has a powerful fat-burning effect.
A course of procedures makes the skin fresh, tightened, eliminating signs of cellulite.
During the session, the lymphatic system is activated. As a result, cellular nutrition improves and the processes of removing waste and toxins are stimulated. Regular procedures can help resolve benign tumors.
Is there any harm?
The impact of water jets is often painful and leaves bruises on the body. As a rule, they appear after the first procedures, then disappear after about 2 weeks. Not all patients with increased pain sensitivity can withstand the full course. In this case, it is better to use other hydrotherapy methods.
According to patient reviews, subsequent procedures are less painful than the first.
If you ignore information about contraindications, chronic diseases may worsen. It is very important that the sessions are carried out by a competent specialist, otherwise Charcot’s shower can be harmful to health.
Reviews
Violetta, 31 years old
I went through about 15 procedures. I lost 4 kg almost immediately and later another 4. The belly disappeared after the baby was born. The legs became thin as strings. But there is a minus - the bruises are very large! In order to prevent the belly from returning, you need to exercise every day.
Tatyana, 42 years old
Charcot's shower is an excellent procedure! It tones both the skin and muscles after just a few visits! There were bruises, but not big ones. I haven’t lost much in kilograms, but my volumes have definitely become smaller, and it shows! I completed 10 sessions, then went on a maintenance course, it’s bad that in the place where I did the showers are not working now due to a breakdown, I want them to fix it faster, I will continue.
Marina, 29 years old
Cool thing. I went about 3 years ago. It destroys fat deposits well. Only bruises remained.
Valeria, 37 years old
I read a lot of good reviews that Charcot’s shower helps you lose weight and remove cellulite. I decided to try it on myself, I went through 14 procedures, and also a contrast shower. I walked around with bruises all the time; they were simply huge on my legs and thighs. It didn’t help me at all, the cellulite remained. Although, for the sake of fairness, I will note that the skin has become soft and smooth.
Video review:
Indications
Charcot's shower is prescribed for the following indications:
- disorders of the nervous system;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- joint pathologies;
- osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine;
- minor disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- constant stress;
- metabolic disorders;
- weakened immunity;
- diseases of an allergic nature;
- obesity;
- cellulite.
The procedures will also be useful during the rehabilitation period.
Contraindications
Charcot's shower procedures have contraindications:
- skin diseases;
- varicose veins;
- weak blood vessels;
- severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- urolithiasis disease;
- malignant neoplasms;
- pregnancy;
- menstruation;
- increase in body temperature.
Sessions are prescribed with caution in the following cases (so-called conditional contraindications):
- protrusion;
- women's diseases (gynecology);
- hypertension;
- skin diseases;
- ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract;
- blood diseases.
If a caesarean section was performed, at least 6 months should pass after this. You can undergo the procedure if there are no postoperative complications. The seam should be free of inflammation. In any case, all patients should first consult a doctor. Then it is recommended to undergo 1 procedure; if everything is in order, you can continue the course.
Is it possible to carry out procedures at home?
Currently, plumbing stores sell many accessories for hydromassage at home. Using a special nozzle designed like a Charcot shower, you can conduct a session in your own bathroom. However, it is impossible to achieve the same effect, since the jet power will be less.
And the area of the bathroom will not allow you to maintain the required distance between the body and the taps. The water pressure will also not meet the standards. However, such a procedure at home will still be useful. It will have an excellent tonic effect, especially in the morning, and will give a boost of energy.
You can purchase a nozzle that provides water pressure up to 4 atmospheres. This indicator will be enough to perform a body massage. The hydromassage nozzle is fixed in place of a regular shower.
An alternative option is a contrast shower.
Average prices
The price of one session ranges from 400 to 3500 rubles. The average price of a Charcot shower is 500-800 rubles , but one is not enough - you need a course.
Prices are higher in beauty salons in large cities; the lowest prices are usually in public clinics. If you wish, you can find a hospital in almost any city where one session will cost no more than 300 rubles.
To attend the procedures, you can purchase a subscription, then the price of one session will be significantly lower.
But before agreeing to the course, you must undergo at least one trial procedure . Then you can first make sure that the clinic, beauty salon or hospital you have chosen has a good specialist doing it.
Which is better: Charcot shower or underwater hydromassage
An equally effective water procedure is underwater hydromassage. The patient is placed in a special bathroom 2 m long and 1 m wide, which is equipped with a pump and a flexible hose with a nozzle. The water temperature is 30-37 oC.
You can add sea salt, a decoction of medicinal herbs, and aroma oil to the bath.
The patient should first simply lie in the water for 5-7 minutes. Then the specialist begins the massage using a flexible hose through which water comes out under a pressure of 1-4 atmospheres. The massage therapist uses a jet of water to target all problem areas of the patient.
Underwater hydromassage is effective for excess weight, cellulite, and swelling.
The duration of the procedure is 15-35 minutes, the frequency is every day or every other day. The recommended course is 10-20 baths, after six months it can be repeated.
Compared to Charcot's shower, underwater hydromassage has a more gentle effect on the body and has fewer contraindications. These include:
- urolithiasis disease;
- vein diseases;
- severe hypertension;
- exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases;
- cerebrovascular accidents;
- pustular skin diseases;
- malignant neoplasms;
- pregnancy.
The patient does not experience any painful sensations during the sessions, but the cost of the course will be higher. Charcot's shower is more affordable and more effective from a cosmetological point of view, although it gives the patient discomfort during the session. For maximum results, you can combine both methods.
Side effects
Often those who have tried such hydromassage complain of pain during the session, bruising and muscle pain after its completion.
This is a fairly common phenomenon, but procedures performed by a competent specialist rarely cause such consequences.
At most, the result may be a small number of small bruises that hardly hurt.
If the specialist is not highly qualified and treats the matter carelessly, the consequences can be quite severe . The solution is simple - change it to a good one.
