Cold water immersion rejuvenates the body and enhances recovery. Wide range of benefits, including improved stress tolerance, resilience, and immune response. Our ice bath reaches down to 0°C.
An ice bath is a therapeutic practice in which you immerse the body, or specific parts of the body, into cold water for a specific length of time. The temperature of the water usually ranges from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius, and supports adaptive resilience.
Ice baths are commonly used to alleviate muscle soreness and inflammation following intense physical activity or exercise. The cold temperature is believed to constrict blood vessels and decrease metabolic activity, reducing inflammation and muscle soreness.
Athletes often use ice baths as part of their recovery routine to help speed up the recovery process after intense training sessions. Cold exposure may enhance the clearance of metabolic waste products from muscles and reduce tissue damage.
Cold exposure has analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, and ice baths may help alleviate pain associated with various conditions, injuries, or chronic issues.
Alternating between cold and warm water (contrast baths) may stimulate blood circulation, potentially enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. This can contribute to overall cardiovascular health.
Cold exposure is known to have anti-inflammatory effects. Ice baths may help modulate the inflammatory response, potentially benefiting conditions characterized by excessive inflammation.
Cold exposure has been associated with the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that contribute to feelings of well-being. Some individuals find that ice baths have a positive impact on mood and stress levels.
Exposure to cold temperatures can activate brown adipose tissue (BAT), which plays a role in thermogenesis and energy expenditure. This may have implications for metabolic health and weight management.
Cold exposure has been studied for its potential effects on the immune system. Some research suggests that cold exposure may modulate immune responses.
Cold exposure causes blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction) initially, reducing blood flow to the extremities. Upon rewarming, the vessels may then dilate (vasodilation), potentially improving overall circulation. This cycle is believed to facilitate the removal of waste products and promote nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Cold exposure is thought to reduce inflammation by slowing down cellular metabolism and decreasing the production of inflammatory molecules. This anti-inflammatory effect may contribute to the reported reduction in muscle soreness and inflammation after intense exercise.
Cold exposure triggers the release of certain hormones, such as norepinephrine, which play roles in regulating metabolism, stress response, and inflammation. Increases 200-300% consistently in studies.
The feel good neurotransmitter – can increase up to 250% after ice baths according to studies.
Cold exposure increases our metabolism at a cellular level. Production of a protein called ‘PGC-1alpha’ is stimulated when clients immerse themselves in the cold. This protein is a target for pharmaceutical companies in their development of treatments for obesity, diabetes and cardiomyopathy.
Shivering triggers brown fat activation. Science shows that people with more brown fat tend to be slimmer than those with less of it.
Cold exposure may have a numbing or analgesic effect, reducing nerve conduction velocity and potentially lowering pain perception. This can contribute to the alleviation of pain and discomfort associated with muscle soreness.
Just 3 cold water sessions over a 6 week period was shown to increase lymphocyte numbers. Lymphocytes are one of the body’s main types of immune cells. One study even found that males exposed to 4°C for 30 minutes showed an increased number of virus-eliminating cells called ‘Killer T cells’.
Exposure to cold temperatures can increase metabolic rate as the body works to generate heat. This may contribute to the reported calorie-burning effects of cold exposure.
Cold exposure might attenuate cellular damage by reducing oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This could potentially help protect cells from damage caused by intense exercise.
Holon is a high-tech healing space in the heart of Glasgow's West End. Schedule an appointment for your wellness treatment at Holon today.
Book a Service
