CONTRAST THERAPY
Contrast therapy, also known as contrast water therapy or contrast bath therapy, is an ancient recovery technique of alternating between hot and cold temperatures. In recent times, contrast therapy has become popular amongst the athlete community to reduce inflammation and pain, in the form of a few minutes in the sauna followed by a dip in the ice bath.
Benefits
The history of contrast therapy dates back to ancient civilizations such as Greece and Rome, where hot and cold baths were used to treat various health conditions. In the 19th century, contrast therapy was developed as a modern therapeutic method, and it was widely used in hydrotherapy treatments.
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Combining a sauna with an ice bath is an effective way to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, speed up muscle recovery and elevate your mood. The heat from the sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, which improves blood flow and reduces inflammation.
The cold from the ice bath causes blood vessels to constrict, which improves circulation and reduces muscle soreness. This contrast between hot and cold temperatures helps to improve overall recovery and reduce the risk of injury.
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hot or cold first?
Using a sauna is encouraged as both hot and cold work on similar pathways and Nordic cultures have done this for millennia. However, the evidence for maximising the metabolic benefits suggests starting in the hot and ending in the cold and then reheating naturally. To increase the benefits of Contrast Therapy it is not recommended to shower within 30 minutes of your treatment.
