Presentation

The Gardelle method, or differential thermotherapy, is a treatment technique that consists of applying hot and cold towels to the body at the same time, in specific areas depending on the type of pain you are trying to relieve.

For example, in the case of a brain tumour, the cold towel is placed on the head and the hot towel on the abdomen at the level of the liver.

For gangrene, place the cold towel on the gangrenous area and the hot towel on the abdomen.

The towels should be placed at 10°C-13°C for cold and 40°C-44°C for hot.

Created by Pierre Gardelle, a physiotherapist with a background in naturopathy, this method of thermotherapy has proved particularly effective in eliminating the effects of a stroke, even the most serious ones.

This is an interesting practice for people who want to regain a degree of autonomy.

Cases of aphasia, hemiplegia, lumbago and migraine have been successfully treated with this method.

It requires little equipment and the technique is accessible to all.

The only difficulty for the patient is the need to remain immobile during the application of the towels, which can take several hours.

What are the principles of the Gardelle Method?

Activation of leukocyte splitters

During an injury or attack, the immune system responds with local inflammation. However, this inflammation is associated with an elevated temperature, which interferes with the activity of leukocytes and "garbage collector" lymphocytes.

Applying a cold compress to the skin cools the affected area, increasing blood flow and the efficiency of these draining cells. They will be able to transport clots and purines under ideal conditions, ridding the area of these various waste products.

Thermoregulation and lymphatic drainage

For its part, the hot compress is used to maintain the body's thermal balance, preferably at a crossroads of the circulation, hence the choice of the liver area. The liver acts like a convector, and this central heating allows the body to maintain the correct temperature despite the presence of cold compresses elsewhere.

The heat in the liver also promotes lymphatic drainage, and small pimples or abscesses are often seen in this area after healing.

In addition, according to Pierre Gardelle, Alzheimer's disease is due to the accumulation of purines in brain cells. It is therefore essential to cleanse the brain regularly to prevent this degenerative disease by applying differential thermotherapy. He himself has undergone this operation every 4 years, which has enabled him to retain all his faculties at an advanced age.

Technique

The original technique uses towels.

A first towel is soaked in cold water at 10°C and placed on the area to be treated (for example, the head in the case of a migraine or brain tumour).

A second towel is soaked in 40°C water and placed on the abdomen in the area where the liver and spleen are located.

These towels should be changed about every 3-7 minutes as their temperature changes.

This method therefore requires two people to monitor and change the compresses.

The patient must remain in bed for 8 hours.

The simplified method is to replace these towels with a material that is easier to handle.

The cold compress is then obtained by placing an ice pack (available in pharmacies) over the area to be treated, with a cloth in between.

Using a thermometer, check that the scalp temperature is between 10°C and 13°C.

As for the hot compress on the abdomen, it is more practical to place a bag of hot water over the hot towel to avoid rapid cooling.

The duration of the treatment can be reduced to 3 or 4 hours a day instead of the 8 hours recommended by the Gardelle method. The results are still convincing.

When using an ice pack, always place a towel between the bladder and the head.

Also avoid placing a cold source on your stomach or liver.

This area should always be kept warm, except in exceptional cases such as appendicitis, where a cold compress should be placed on the lower abdomen.

Indications

The Gardelle method has proved particularly effective in the following cases:

• Migraine: compresses on the head and liver for 2 hours, to be repeated if necessary.
• Stroke and post-stroke motor disorders: compresses on the head and liver for 4 hours a day until motor control returns.
• Brain tumour: compresses on the head and liver for 4 hours a day until the tumour disappears.
• Alzheimer's disease: compresses on the head and liver for 3 hours, twice a week.
• Capsulitis of the shoulder: compresses on the shoulder and liver for 2 hours.
• Low back pain or backache: cold compress on the lumbar region, warm compress on the feet for 3 hours, to be repeated if necessary.
• Gangrene of the leg: cold compress on the gangrenous area, hot water bag on the other foot and hot compress on the liver, almost continuously.
• Paralysis of the legs: cold compress on the sacro-lumbar region, hot compress on the liver, 4 hours a day.

Contraindication

The Gardelle method is safe and has no contraindications.