<p>Contrast hydrotherapy involves the immersion or dousing of a limb in alternating hot and cold water. This ‘tweaks’ the peripheral autonomic nervous system, altering vascular tone and flow and improving nitric oxide production and vessel health. It has been shown (Elmstahl et al, 1995; Fiscus et al, 2005) to improve both short- and long-term distal blood flow and claudication in patients with significant peripheral arterial disease, as the vascular and lymphatic system share many similarities with regards their genesis, vascular biology and autonomic innervation. This paper shows why contrast hydrotherapy may be a preventative treatment for lymphoedema.</p>
