Hot & Cold Water Immersion Therapy

For the summer solstice this year, I decided to do hot and cold therapy. I’ve wanted to do it for some time now and it finally happened. I went in the sauna, took a cold plunge, immersed in the hot tub, and finished with a cold shower. After 3 circuits, I could definitely feel the difference in my shoulder joint!

Benefits include:

1. Fall and stay asleep more easily. As the warm water increases blood circulation, the heart rate rises while blood pressure lowers, giving the body an increased heart rate needed for effective exercise without an elevation in blood pressure. The warm water allows the body to relax and the mind to decompress.

2. Cold water immersion therapy has been shown to improve lymphatic and cardiovascular circulation. Proper circulation of the lymphatic fluid helps cleanse the body of toxins while increased blood flow prevents the heart from being burdened with muscular stress.

3. Cold water immersion may also provide positive psychological benefits. Cold water encourages the release of mood-elevating chemicals that are effective in treating symptoms of depression. Other advantages include reduced muscle inflammation and a boost in metabolism that burns calories.

4. Hot and cold therapy may also be used to treats common sports injuries such as:
Muscle Strains
Meniscus
Tears
Elbow
Tendinitis
Rotator Cuff
Tendinitis
Labral Tears
Dead Arm
Oblique Strains
Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion
Lower Back
Strains
Knee Swelling
Ankle Sprains
Jumper’s Knee
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Knee Ligament Injuries
Groin and Hamstring Pulls
Shoulder Joint Strains
​ Knee Sprains