Doctors' Notes: Hot and Cold Therapies

Chris and Xand continue their conversation about body temperature with Dr Heather Massey, Associate Professor of extreme environments and physiology at the University of Portsmouth.

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know how cold water swimming and contrast therapy can challenge your body temperature and what the benefits might be. They also explore whether everyone should be challenging their body temperature, and whether there are alternatives to the extreme methods. They also hear Dr Massey’s personal and clinical perspective on cold water swimming.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Heather Massey Producer: Faye Lyons-White and Maia Miller-Lewis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Mili Ostojic Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.