Despite how much we hate the thought of stepping into an ice-cold shower after a workout, or on a dreary morning before work, we've all been told a bitterly cold splash of water can impart some real health benefits.

Be it improving blood circulation and helping to relieve depression or keeping skin and hair healthy and strengthening immunity, the plus sides of a cold water shower almost, - almost - seem worth it.

However, little did we know that a freezing dip in cold outdoor water may offer an alternative to strong painkillers and physiotherapy to relive severe pain.

The news coms after a story detailed in the journal BMJ Case Reports reveals a 28-year-old man who suffered from post-operative pain found it disappeared totally after doing an open water swim.

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The man, who suffered from excessive facial flushing and was a keen triathlete, underwent an operation (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) that ended up cutting the triggering nerves inside his chest.

The surgery went well but he suffered from severe, persistent pain afterwards which caused him a 'great deal of distress', reports the BBC.

Unfortunately for the sportsman, conventional treatments made little difference to his pain, while exercise and physiotherapy movement made it worse.

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To take his mind off the pain, he decided to do an open water swim for about minute before he could reach somewhere to safely climb back ashore.

'Once I was in the water, I had tunnel vision - for the first time in months, I completely forgot about the pain or the fear of shooting pains in my chest if I moved,' he revealed.

The unnamed man revealed he began to enjoy the cool temperatures and found himself pain-free.

'When I came out of the water, I realised the neuropathic pain had gone away. I couldn't believe it,' he added.

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While's it's well-known that cold water baths help ease injuries in sports medicine, doctors can't quite figure out why the cold water swim cured this man's pain, specifically.

The authors of the report warn that cold water swimming is not for everyone and that it carries a significant risk of hypothermia and sending the body into an acute cold shock response which may affect arm muscles.

However, whle substantial evidence and thorough research is still required, a cold water dip might be a suitable alternative to painkillers for some patients.

According to NHS Choices, here's what you need to know before you attempt cold water swimming.

If you're not used to swimming in cold water:

  • wear a wetsuit for anything more than a quick dip
  • don't jump into cold water – wade in slowly instead
  • swim close to the shore
  • take warm clothes to put on afterwards – even in summer you'll feel colder when you get out
  • take extra care in reservoirs, which are deeper and colder than lakes and rivers
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Shivering and teeth chattering are the first symptoms of hypothermia. If that happens, get out of the water and warm up.

Here's are some of the UK's best wild swimming destinations:

  1. Goldiggins quarry, Minions, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
  2. River Dart, Staverton, Devon
  3. River Waveney, Bungay, Suffolk
  4. Kailpot Crag, Ullswater, Lake District
  5. Lower Ddwli Falls, Waterfall Woods, Brecon Beacons

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Katie O'Malley
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.