Soma Wave's acupressure practices take the opposite approach. Rather than deliberately activating sympathetic stress responses, the practices work to activate and strengthen parasympathetic nervous system function—the body's "rest and digest" mode—through gentle, sustained mechanical stimulation combined with breathing and relaxation techniques.

How Acupressure Activates the Relaxation Response:

When you place your hands and feet on Soma Wave's acupressure boards, the pyramid-shaped spikes create distributed pressure that activates mechanoreceptors and pressure-sensitive nerve endings. Unlike the shock of cold exposure, this is a sustained, predictable, comfortable stimulus. The mechanism works through:

• Continuous activation of pressure receptors (A-beta fibers), which travel faster to the brain than pain signals

• Gate Control Theory: The pressure sensation effectively "closes the gate" to stress perception, preventing excessive sympathetic activation

• Direct vagal nerve stimulation through peripheral sensory pathways

• Gradual release of endogenous opioids (beta-endorphins), serotonin, and GABA—neurotransmitters that promote calmness

• Increased heart rate variability (HRV), indicating parasympathetic dominance

When combined with diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and EFT tapping, Soma Wave practices create what researchers call "eustress"—beneficial stress that challenges the nervous system without overwhelming it. The body is never shocked or jolted; instead, it's gently guided into deeper relaxation through a coherent sequence of complementary techniques.

Heat Shock Proteins: The Common Thread

Interestingly, both methods may trigger the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP70, though through very different mechanisms.

Cold Exposure and HSPs:

Cold stress is a powerful trigger for heat shock protein expression. Research shows that heat shock genes, particularly HSP-70, are significantly upregulated during the recovery phase following cold exposure. This is part of the body's cellular repair mechanism—HSPs act as molecular chaperones that repair damaged proteins and protect cells from further injury. For someone with a healthy, robust nervous system, this cellular repair cascade is highly beneficial, contributing to greater cellular resilience and longevity.

Acupressure and Mechanical Pressure Stress:

More subtle research shows that even mild mechanical pressure stimulation can trigger HSP70 expression, though to a lesser degree than temperature extremes. Studies on chondrocytes (cartilage cells) exposed to static hydrostatic pressure demonstrated increased HSP70 levels without requiring the intense stress response triggered by extreme temperatures. This suggests that acupressure's mechanical stimulation creates a more moderate, tolerable hormetic response—activating cellular repair mechanisms without the dramatic sympathetic nervous system activation of cold exposure.

The Critical Difference: Activation vs. Suppression

The fundamental physiological difference between these methods becomes clear when examining autonomic nervous system responses:

Who Should Use Cold Plunges vs. Acupressure Practices?

The Wim Hof Method May Be Better For:

• Individuals with a healthy, well-regulated nervous system seeking to build stress resilience

• People training for extreme conditions or seeking psychological challenges

• Those interested in building sympathetic tone and adrenaline tolerance

• Athletes and high-performers seeking acute stress adaptation

• People who have a resilient body

The Method May Be Less Suitable For:

• People with anxiety disorders or hyperactive sympathetic nervous systems

• Those with uncontrolled hypertension or cardiac conditions

• People who experience cold feet and hands regularly

• Individuals with trauma histories or nervous system dysregulation

• People experiencing burnout or chronic stress

• Anyone with cold intolerance

Soma Wave Practices May Be Better For:

• People with elevated baseline stress or anxiety

• Those with dysregulated nervous systems (too much sympathetic tone)

• Individuals seeking consistent, reliable relaxation and stress reduction

• People with sleep disorders or difficulty managing daily stress

• Those recovering from trauma or experiencing hypervigilance

• Anyone seeking daily, sustainable wellness practice

• Individuals who find cold exposure uncomfortable or triggering

The Gentle Approach Advantage:
The beauty of Soma Wave's approach is that it provides consistent, predictable parasympathetic activation without the shock of extreme cold. Research on cold exposure shows that while the immediate post-exposure phase includes both sympathetic and parasympathetic activation, the sustained stress of cold immersion requires significant training to manage safely. In contrast, Soma Wave practices are designed to be immediately accessible and safe for nearly everyone, regardless of fitness level or nervous system baseline.

The Hormesis Equation: Finding Your "Sweet Spot"

The concept of hormesis helps explain why one person's ideal stress stimulus is another's overwhelming challenge. Hormesis theory suggests that the optimal dose of stress for adaptation is the one that challenges your system without overwhelming it. This "sweet spot" varies dramatically between individuals:

• Someone with a highly reactive sympathetic nervous system may find cold plunges to be harmful distress rather than beneficial eustress

• The same person might find acupressure practices perfectly calibrated to their nervous system's needs

• An elite athlete or trauma survivor actively working on building resilience might benefit from the graduated challenge of the Wim Hof Method

• A busy parent managing multiple stressors might find that 10 minutes of Soma Wave practice is the ideal hormetic dose