Wool Goddess

Since my Fibromyalgia diagnosis many years ago I am very self aware of my body and the new little coping mechanisms I have developed. Often I don’t notice the things I do as they seem natural to me to ease my pain.

As a woman living with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain, and as a VTCT-qualified Complementary & Alternative Therapist, I write from both experience & curiosity, blending the ‘I’ve lived it’ truth with the holistic and science-loving geek in me.

The Little Story Behind this Blog:

One Saturday I saw that a friend was holding a meditation class, and because I adore her, I wanted to support her. The class started in an hour, so I had to move fast. I grabbed whatever clothes were lurking on the “Not Dirty Yet” chair and fished a pair of socks off the coffee table—no clue which son’s feet had previously marinated in them, and off I went. I must mention here, they were not the kind of socks men have on the bedroom floor, you know what kind I am talking about.

Upon arrival, I realised the socks were full of Labrador hairs, bed bobbles and possibly a hint of man. Absolutely not fit for public viewing. So I kicked them off and did the meditation barefoot. And honestly? It was amazing. The cold floor actually numbed the toothache-like pain in my leg, and for the first time in ages, I relaxed.

Still not fully convinced (because it was a very “Crazy-Ness” kind of day), I tried the same trick in my next Breathwork class, and wow. New skill unlocked. So of course, I’m sharing it.

Relaxing in classes is usually a struggle because that leg pain is my constant companion, but this simple thing genuinely helped me. If you’re someone who lives with chronic pain, or just struggles to switch off, maybe try going barefoot. It might just be your unexpected little superpower too.

If you live with fibromyalgia, you probably know the strange, sometimes surprising things that ease your pain. For me, one of them is simple: keeping my feet cold. This can even extend to prefer my whole leg cold if it is very sore. Resting it against the cold plastered wall or the cold evening breeze thorough a window on my legs. On days when my legs ache or feel heavy and burning, cooling them brings instant relief.

I have tried cold showers, and my truth is, I hated it. Full emersion ice baths or cold water bathing sounds like hell to me and but when I am very sore I could sit in a cold bath with a mug of tea, that would be bliss.

If you’ve ever wondered why cold helps or whether there’s any actual science behind it, the answer is yes. It turns out there are several real reasons why cold temperatures can calm fibromyalgia pain.

Let’s break it down in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

Fibromyalgia and Overactive Nerves

Fibromyalgia is strongly linked to central sensitisation, which means the nervous system becomes extra sensitive. Signals that shouldn’t be painful feel painful.

Cold naturally slows down the activity of nerves in the skin and muscles.

When you cool your feet or legs, those irritated nerves literally “quiet down,” so the pain messages reaching your brain are reduced.

It’s a bit like turning down the volume on an overactive alarm system.

Cold Reduces Inflammation and Muscle Irritation

Fibromyalgia isn’t caused by inflammation in the same way arthritis is, but the muscles and fascia can still become irritated or overloaded.

Cold helps by:

• reducing swelling
• calming irritated tissues
• easing heat and throbbing sensations

Even if there’s no visible swelling, the nerves can interpret irritation as “hot” or “overloaded,” and cold counters that sensation quickly.

The Gate Control Theory of Pain

This is one of the simplest explanations, and one of the most powerful.

Your brain can only process so many sensations at once.

When you put something cold on your skin, the cooling sensation competes with the pain signals and partly blocks them.

This is the same reason we instinctively put ice on a bruise.

Cold gives your brain something else to focus on…. and pain takes a back seat.

Temperature Dysregulation in Fibromyalgia

Many people with fibro struggle with:

• overheating
• burning sensations in the legs
• feeling “internally hot”
• difficulty regulating temperature

Cooling the feet can bring the whole body back into balance.

Because the feet have so many nerve endings and blood vessels, cooling them helps the nervous system settle and reduces that uncomfortable “heat build-up” that often worsens pain.

Why Feet?

Out of all the places you could cool, the feet are especially effective because:

• they’re packed with nerves
• cooling them affects the whole body
• they influence circulation and temperature regulation
• pain often radiates from the feet upward into the legs

Some people find that cooling just the feet reduces pain all the way up to the knees and thighs.

You’re Not Imagining It As There Is Logic Behind This

If you walk barefoot, don’t like your feet too hot, sleep with your feet out of the duvet, press your legs against the cold plaster wall next to your bed, you may be nodding now.

Even though fibromyalgia research is still growing, we know that:

• Cold therapy decreases pain signals.
• It reduces hyperactive nerves (a big part of fibro).
• It calms the sympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for “fight or flight.”

People with fibromyalgia commonly respond well to temperature-based therapies.

So if cold feet help your pain, your body is responding exactly as expected.

Simple Ways to Use Cold for Fibromyalgia Relief

Here are gentle, safe ways to cool your feet without overdoing it:

• Cool packs on the feet or calves (wrapped in a thin cloth)
• Cold foot bath for 1–3 minutes
• Gel cold socks
• Cooling sprays or menthol gels
• Stick your feet out of the blankets at night
• Sit with feet on a cool floor or tile

Always avoid direct ice on the skin, and stop if your feet go numb or painful.

Fibromyalgia affects the nervous system in so many unusual ways that it makes perfect sense that unconventional things give relief. Cooling your feet is one of those small but powerful tools that can instantly help calm pain, reduce sensory overload, and bring the body back into balance.

If cold feet ease your fibro pain, you are absolutely not alone, and there’s solid science behind why it works.

Love & healing hugs