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Taking an ice bath has many benefits. Exposing your body to extremely cold water reacts by triggering a “fight or flight” response. That response sends your body into a panic, where it prioritises sending your organs more blood to maintain your core temperature. While this happens, your blood circulation improves. You may also find that inflammation and muscle soreness are reduced as well.
Cold water therapy has the potential to stimulate your body’s immune system, as suggested by some evidence. This indicates a potential improvement in your body’s ability to combat pathogens.
Research has been conducted to investigate whether individuals could enhance the antibodies in their bodies through regular practices of cryotherapy, breathwork, and meditation.
Subjects were intentionally exposed to a bacterial infection, and the group incorporating these methods exhibited fewer symptoms. They generated more antibodies and fewer cytokines in response to the bacteria.
In this study, breathwork techniques were perceived as more impactful than ice baths in reducing cold and flu symptoms. Nevertheless, cold water exposure was associated with developing resistance to stress over an extended period.
The lymphatic system, an intricate network of vessels spanning the entire body, plays a crucial role in removing unwanted toxins from cells. In essence, it consistently processes toxins, cleansing your system.
Its functionality relies on muscle contractions, which pump fluid through the vessels as it lacks a dedicated pump like the cardiovascular system. If the lymphatic system becomes congested with toxins, it may slow down, becoming less effective, and toxins can accumulate.
In the context of an ice bath, the cold temperatures prompt the contraction of your lymph vessels, activating the lymphatic system to flush lymph fluids back into your system through the lymph nodes. This, in turn, activates the white blood cell brigade, also known as your immune system, which targets any unwanted foreign bodies in the fluid.
Cold water therapy, a recovery method, has demonstrated its ability to reduce inflammation and alleviate what is known as DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) by enhancing blood circulation and constricting blood vessels.
Half an hour of cold exposure has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. However, individuals with diabetes should seek advice before attempting ice bath therapy.
Immersing the body in cold water can have significant impacts on stress levels, attributed to the stimulation of noradrenaline, a key player in mood regulation.
Many medical professionals concur that cold temperatures are effective in alleviating swelling and inflammation.
Consider an ice pack applied to a sprained ankle; it achieves this by constricting blood vessels, diminishing swelling, and buffering the nervous system to alleviate pain. This underscores cold water body immersion as a evident treatment in the care of injured athletes or as part of a recovery regimen.
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We kick into survival mode when our bodies are exposed to extremely cold water, like from an ice bath. In response to the cold water shock, your blood vessels constrict to help keep your core body temperature by sending your blood to vital organs, which in turn can reduce inflammation and swelling.
When you leave the water, your body temperature slowly returns to normal, improving nutrient and oxygen transportation, reducing muscle fatigue and relaxing your mind. Stress response initiated by cold water has been shown to increase dopamine and noradrenaline, which are neurochemicals responsible for boosting your mood and state of mind.
Ready to refresh and revitalise your body? Book an ice bath in Sunshine Coast today!
We use the most up to date research to match protocols with health outcomes.
