Hot, Cold, and Curious: My Ongoing Experiment at KELTA
I want to start with a small disclosure: I’m the mom of the owner of KELTA, and I also work there.
But that’s not why I’m writing this.
If anything, it makes me more skeptical. When your daughter is passionate about something, you don’t just nod and smile—you quietly wonder, okay… but does it actually work?
Because here’s the truth: I’ve been on a long and sometimes exhausting health journey with Crohn’s disease. And if you’ve ever tried to navigate chronic illness, you know how confusing it can be. There are so many modalities, so many promises, and it’s often hard to tell what’s helping and what’s just… hopeful thinking.
So I decided to treat myself like a bit of an experiment.
The Protocol (a.k.a. “Let’s See What Happens”)
For a couple of months, I committed to a simple rhythm:
45 minutes in the infrared sauna
followed by a 5-minute cold plunge
Not every single day, but consistently twice a week: enough to matter.
Before I started, I had blood work done. And then again two months later.
The result? My inflammation markers dropped—significantly.
Now, I’m not a scientist, and I’m not claiming this is a miracle cure. But I am someone who lives in this body every day. And I can tell you this:
My joints—hands, feet, all those small places that quietly ache—felt better. Noticeably better.
Less stiffness. Less complaining from my body.
And honestly? That got my attention.
Stress: The Sneaky Culprit
If you have an inflammatory condition, you already know this: stress is not just “in your head.” It lives in your body.
For me, stress can show up as hyper-vigilance—that always-on, slightly braced feeling. And over time, that state alone can stir up inflammation.
So alongside the sauna and cold plunge, I’ve been doing therapy to work on that piece of my life. Because healing, I’m learning, is not just physical—it’s emotional, too.
And this is where something unexpected came in.
The 22-Minute Reset Button
At KELTA, there’s something called a vibrational meditation bed.
I call it a game changer.
There are days when I feel completely overwhelmed—like my nervous system is buzzing in all directions. And then I get on that bed for 22 minutes.
Twenty-two minutes.
And I come off feeling like I’ve been… reset. Not perfect, not floating on a cloud—but grounded, calmer, able to re-enter my day without that edge.
It’s become one of my go-to tools. Not because I should use it, but because I genuinely want to.
A Doctor’s Nudge
At my last appointment, my gastroenterologist said something that stuck with me.
She told me that many of her patients don’t have the time or energy to explore alternative or supportive therapies. And then she looked at me and said, “You might want to start journaling what’s helping you.”
So here I am.
She also suggested I try a weekly float—sensory deprivation. The magnesium, she said, could help with joint discomfort, and the deep rest could support stress reduction.
So yes… that’s next on my list. Stay tuned.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m not here to convince you of anything.
I’m here because I know how hard it is to live in a body that doesn’t always cooperate. To try things and wonder if you’re imagining the benefits. To hope, and doubt, sometimes in the same breath.
What I can say is this:
The combination of heat, cold, and intentional rest has made a real difference for me.
And maybe—just maybe—it could for you too.
If you’re curious, come try it. Come sit in the warmth, take the plunge (literally), and see what your body has to say.
No pressure. Just possibility.
