Cold Plunge - Repair, Renew And Feel Anew
What is a Cold Plunge?
A Cold Plunge is a type of cold therapy or cold water immersion that has rapidly been getting a lot of attention lately. It can also be referred to as Cryotherapy which is an umbrella term often used to describe therapeutic processes involving cold temperatures. It is the practice of placing your body in a cryotherapy chamber or body of cold water in specially designed containers such as indoor or outdoor tubs, inflatable and portable ice baths, plunge barrels and tanks, local health spas or the old fashion cold shower or the ocean or lakes.
What happens to your body when you do a Cold Plunge?
Your body undergoes a Hormesis effect which refers to adaptive responses of biological systems to moderate environmental or self-imposed challenges through which the system improves its functionality and/or tolerance to more severe challenges. So, it's "a stress that doesn’t kill you but makes you stronger." says Dr Mark Hyman.
Is taking a Cold Plunge Safe?
Yes, as long as you follow the safety guidelines for doing a Cold Plunge and as always, we recommend that you contact your GP or health practitioner for medical advice. It is recommended to make your session short especially when you are a beginner. You can make it as short as 30 seconds, 5 minutes to 15 minutes depending on your level and for the water temperature to never fall under 10 degrees. The suggested optimal temperature is between 10 - 15 degrees.
What are the health benefits of Cold Therapy?
There are still a lot of myths and debate about the benefits of cold therapy. These are the health benefits of cold water immersion based on some research claims and from what people who use cold therapy as part of their weekly routine have said:
*Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery
*Weight Loss
*Reduced Inflammation
*Reducing anxiety and depression
*Heightened sense of well-being
*Treating Migraine Headaches
*Lowers Stress Levels,
*Improves mood
*Improve focus by dopamine
*Better Sleep
*Help boost the immune system
*Improve cardiovascular health
What are the risks of Cold Plunging?
Due to its nature of exposing the body to cold temperatures, there are potential risks to consider. They include hypothermia, cardiovascular events and dysfunction, and loss of muscular control which means your muscle can feel weakened which can lead to not being able to support yourself and may cause drowning. Another risk is a cold shock to the body that can lead to involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, heart rate and blood pressure spikes and impaired cognitive function, such as clouded thinking and decision-making.
All of these risks are warranted, hence, why it is important to get a doctor’s clearance before trying a Cold Plunge especially if you have known health issues.
Who can benefit from Cold Therapy?
Cold therapy is not only for professional athletes but it can be used by anyone that would like to claim the benefits mentioned above and who would to take their recovery, health and well-being to the next level given that they have no known health issues and if required, been given the all clear from their doctors.
Disclaimer
This information is intended for general health and well-being, they are not intended to cure or prevent specific medical conditions, or diseases or prescribe any course of action. The content on this website is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Before using any of our products, a health professional should be consulted, we are not medical professionals, so please contact your GP or health partitioner for medical advice.