Sauna & Cold Water Swimming for Chronic Pain

I have three herniated disks, an irreparably torn rotator cuff (as a fiddle player!) and stage IV endometriosis. A few years ago, I discovered that hot/cold contrast is one of the only things that can give me a breath of relief, and I’ve chased it all over the world— from Maine to Canada to Ireland, Finland, Estonia, and my own backyard. It has literally saved my life.

For me, sauna and cold water swimming has nothing to do with competitive biohacking or gaining control over my body. If pain has taught me anything, it’s how to loosen my grip on control. I now think of cold wild water as a baba-yaga-like teacher, reminding me that the freedom I’m seeking requires me to face the pain with clear eyes and an honest heart.