You may not have heard about cold plunge therapy, a relatively new treatment that involves immersing the body in cold water; it is no secret to professional athletes that ice baths can boost performance and cold plunge therapy is now available here in Australia.
What is Cold Plunge Therapy?
Cold plunge therapy is a treatment that involves immersing the body in cold water to promote various health benefits. While professional athletes have used ice baths for years to enhance performance, cold plunge therapy is now widely available in Australia, helping people of all fitness levels improve their well-being.
Physical Benefits of Cold Plunge Therapy
Getting into an ice bath in Manly regularly reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and enhances oxygen delivery to muscles. The key physical benefits include:
- Reduces inflammation: Exposing muscles and joints to cold temperatures helps alleviate swelling and soreness.
- Improves blood circulation: Cold plunges stimulate blood flow, promoting healthier skin and muscle recovery.
- Boosts detoxification: By flushing out waste from muscles, this therapy supports better detox and muscle health.
Mental Health Benefits of Cold Plunge Therapy
Cold plunge therapy is regarded as being beneficial for conditions such as:
- Heating and cooling the body repeatedly is known to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
- Mood elevation is promoted by releasing endorphins, caused by heating and colling the body.
- Promotes relaxation by exposing the body to heat and cold.
- Improved quality of sleep.
- Cold plunge therapy aids in relaxation.
There are cold plunge therapy clinics in many Australian towns and cities and they have large group plunge pools along with smaller units. Click here for health insurance tips.
Boost Endurance & Athletic Performance
By spending 15 minutes in a sauna and then cold plunging, develops physical endurance so if you play sports and you want that extra energy towards the end of the game, ice baths are excellent. If you have yet to experience a cold plunge, search online for a local cold therapy clinic, where trained professionals will take good care of you.
Cold Plunge Therapy for Injury Recovery
If you are recovering from injury, you should try cold plunge therapy, as it definitely promotes rapid recovery, whether a pulled muscle or a hamstring, taking a plunge in ice-cold water is believed to promote the natural healing process. Russian and Scandinavian people have long been using ice-cold plunges because they know about the benefits, which include boosting circulation and recovering from injury.
How Long Should You Stay?
The average time to immerse the body in cold water is 10-15 minutes, depending on the personal comfort of the plunger; most people are able to withstand 10 minutes in such an environment. The best idea is to source a cold plunge clinic and talk to their staff, who are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Does Increase Pain Tolerance?
Developing the ability to remain in cold water is said to make you more tolerant of pain and what might have made you uncomfortable before the therapy is much more manageable. This is good for those who suffer from chronic pain and as time passes, the pain is more tolerable and bothers the sufferer less.
Conclusion
Cold plunge therapy is gaining popularity for its physical, mental, and recovery benefits. Whether you are an athlete, recovering from an injury, or simply looking for a way to boost endurance and relaxation, it’s worth trying.
