What is Cold Plunge Therapy? How Does it Work?

Introduction

Cold plunge therapy is a type of whole-body cryotherapy that uses cold water to control inflammation, boost circulation, and speed up recovery times after exercise. It’s a simple process: you jump into an ice bath and emerge feeling energized, refreshed and ready to take on the day. Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not! In fact, research shows many benefits of cold plunge therapy include improved blood flow, reduced joint pain and swelling (notably in back muscles), decreased stress levels and improved energy levels – all without any side effects or downsides whatsoever!

What is cold plunge therapy?

Cold plunge therapy is a procedure in which an individual’s skin is exposed to extremely cold water. The goal is to promote the elimination of toxins, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation.

It also brings on what's known as "after-buzz," or a feeling of euphoria that can last up to 24 hours after the plunge.

What happens when you take a Cold Plunge?

The cold plunge is a method of cryotherapy that involves jumping into an ice bath, a cold plunge, or a cold lake. It is supposed to increase your body's natural recovery process by exposing it to extremely cold temperatures that activate the regulatory mechanisms of the nervous system.

The human body can survive without external regulation in extremely hot conditions because it regulates its own temperature internally. In contrast, humans cannot survive without any kind of external temperature regulation when they are exposed to extremely low temperatures for long periods of time (such as on Mount Everest). Therefore, jumping into an ice bath will help you activate your internal temperature regulation system and get used to colder environments so that when you go outside in freezing weather, your body will react properly even if there are no blankets around!

Cold Plunge Therapy versus Cold Baths

Cold plunge therapy is similar to a regular cold bath, but with one major difference: it has a lower temperature. A cold bath averages around 50°- 59° °F , while the typical plunge temperature is around 39° - 49° F.

The term “plunge” is used because you are literally plunging yourself into the water. It can be done as an outdoor activity or indoors in a ice bath tub or a cold plunge that has been chilled beforehand. In either case, it’s important that you don’t jump into the water too quickly; doing so could cause hypothermia and other serious health risks.

Benefits of cold plunge therapy

Cold plunge therapy has been shown to offer a wide range of benefits. These include:

• Increased energy: The cold water causes your body to enter into a state of emergency response, which is characterized by an increase in heart rate and blood flow. This results in more oxygen being delivered to the muscles, enhancing their ability to function at peak performance levels.

• Improved recovery from exercise: Cold plunges help reduce inflammation that may occur after strenuous workouts, allowing you to train harder without experiencing post-workout soreness or pain later on.

• Improved immune system function: The increase in body temperature that occurs during your first few minutes in the cold water stimulates the production of white blood cells that fight off viruses and bacteria (1). By doing so, you can boost your immune system and stay healthy throughout the year—not just during flu season!

Conclusion

Cold plunge therapy has many benefits, including pain relief and improved circulation. It can also be used as part of a larger treatment plan to improve your overall health. If you’re looking for more information about cold plunge therapy or want to try it out yourself, contact us today!