What is Cold Water Immersion?
Cold water immersion is the practice of submerging yourself in water temperatures of 15 °C or less for therapeutic purposes.
Benefits of Cold-Water Immersion:
Enhanced Recovery- cold water immersion helps to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness post exercise.
Improved Mental Health- exposure to cold water leads to the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins which are happy hormones.
Sleep Support- submerging yourself in cold water improves sleep quality and reduces time taken to get to sleep by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and lowering core body temperature.
Reduced pain- cold exposure slows nerve conduction velocity, reducing the number of pain signals which reach the brain.
Improves Metabolic Health- Cold-water immersion boosts metabolism and helps maintain brown fat tissue by increasing thermogenesis and regularly activating brown fat tissue.
Safety:
If you have a health condition and are concerned or uncertain about using an ice bath you must consult your doctor first.
Here is a list of some of the conditions that would disqualify using an ice bath:
- Pregnancy
- U18s
- History of heart disease
- Have a pacemaker fitted
- History of any circulatory issues or blood pressure problems
- Raynaud's disease
- History of frostbite
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Neuropathy
- Open wound or have just undergone surgery
And any other health concerns and risks.
