How-To's & FAQs, Spa News & New Technologies, Uncategorized

Take The Plunge… It’s Cold Water Immersion Therapy

Our revolutionary Cold Plunge uses powerful cooling, filtration, and sanitation to give you cold, clean water, making it far superior to an ice bath or chest freezer. The Purely You Spa Cold Plunge is set at 39F and get ready to change your life!

There are many benefits with cold water immersion therapy.

You will LOVE the Cold Plunge at Purely You Spa

1) ELEVATED ENERGY

Everybody has their own method for waking up; double shots of espresso, a quick workout, and so on. If you’re looking for a quick start to your morning or an afternoon pick me up, cold plunging might just be the answer. Many people turn to cold plunging when looking for a new way to boost their daily energy!

2) RECOVERY / PERFORMANCE

Cold plunge benefits extend beyond the mental and chemical aspects of your body too. Sports medicine has utilized cold water therapy for years, to help the active recovery of your muscles.

3) IMMUNE SUPPORT

Being immersed in cold water stimulates leukocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off sicknesses. It also causes the lymphatic system to contract, forcing fluid through the lymph nodes. This process aids in detoxing the body and strengthening your immune system. A study has shown to substantially lower upper respiratory tract infections.

4) MOMENTUM

Cold plunging has shown the ability increase your baseline dopamine. Dopamine is the molecule in our brain and body that is linked to motivation. According to Dr. Andrew Huberman dopamine can enhance our depth of focus and lower our threshold for taking action towards our specific goals.

5) BOOSTED MOOD

Researchers have known for a while that it connects to our daily energy. In particular, there is lots of evidence that hormone imbalance can contribute to depression, meaning that a cold plunge might help to reduce depression and improve overall mood! Don’t take our word for it though, just ask anyone who has ever plunged!

6) PAIN RELIEF

The boost in norepinephrine you’ll get from consistent ice baths has been shown to be up to 5x. This neurotransmitter can dramatically reduce inflammation and help with chronic pain.

7) STRESS RELIEF

Cold water therapy has been shown to be an effective supplemental treatment for stress relief by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. A study found that regular cold showers and ice baths helped reduce anxiety and improve the mood of participants.

8) BETTER SLEEP

When you dip into the Plunge, your body triggers the autonomic nervous system. This system is a network of vessels and nerves, split into two parts that control your response to stress. When you begin to control your response to stress, you’ll likely find that you begin to control your relaxation and sleep.

An ice bath, also called cold-water immersion or cold therapy, is a training regimen in which a person submerges themself into a body of ice water for a period of time. “The theory behind cold-water immersion is that it can help decrease inflammation and promote healing by altering blood flow to injured tissues,” This type of therapy causes one’s blood flow to constrict in the affected areas. “Subsequent rewarming then causes an increase in circulation to those areas, contributing to a healing effect.

Bodybuilders and athletes are using cold water immersion therapy after workouts, but other people that have joint pain, osteoarthritis, tendon pain or muscle strains can also benefit from ice baths. They can also relieve muscle tension, reduce swelling, lessen post-exercise soreness, and may even boost one’s mood.May also improve one’s skin condition and boost one’s immune system,

Cold therapy decreases pain that can occur due to inflammation

How long should you take an ice bath?
Following intense exercise, however, or when recommended by a professional to treat certain medical conditions, ice baths can be beneficial so long as one’s duration in the water is carefully monitored. We believe 2-3 Minutes is the perfect amount of time to start with.

It has a water flow and filtration system, which helps clean out contaminants and is very useful.  We love that our system helps ensure that the water is CLEAN.  Sanitation is very important to us.

Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury, muscle soreness after a strenuous workout, or long-term inflammation, understanding the role of ice baths can significantly benefit your training regimen and overall health. Inflammation: A Double-Edged Sword

Inflammation is the immune system’s natural defensive response designed to protect our bodies from harm. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding us against injuries and infections. When a threat is detected, the body’s defense mechanism initiates an acute inflammatory response. This response leads to increased blood flow to the affected area and increased immune activity. Although this might result in redness, swelling, and pain, it’s actually a positive indication that the body is working hard to heal itself. However, when this inflammation does not resolve over time and persists, it turns into chronic inflammation. Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation is systemic, meaning it can affect the entire body and often occurs without noticeable symptoms. Over an extended period, this low-grade inflammation contributes to various health issues. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a host of diseases, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and even mental health disorders.
It’s crucial to control and manage chronic inflammation effectively.

The Ancient Wisdom of Ice Baths
The therapeutic application of cold, or cryotherapy, has a long history dating back to ancient times. As far back as 400 BC, the famed Greek physician Hippocrates documented the use of cold to reduce swelling and pain. This ancient wisdom still holds today, with cryotherapy widely used in modern medicine and sports science. Its modern version, the ice bath, has gained popularity for its health benefits, particularly around managing inflammation. An ice bath involves immersing the body in ice-cold water for up to 10 minutes. This brief but intense exposure to cold stimulates several physiological responses in the body, including the narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction) and increased circulation. These responses are believed to help manage inflammation, both acute and chronic.

The Cold Plunge for Acute Inflammation: Speeding Up Injury Recovery
Acute inflammation following an injury is a common occurrence. Whether it’s a sprained ankle from a misstep or a muscle tear from overexertion, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the area and releasing inflammatory substances to protect and heal the tissue. While this response is vital for recovery, excessive inflammation can cause additional tissue damage and prolong the healing process. When the body is exposed to the cold temperatures of the cold plunge, the metabolic activity of cells slows down. This leads to a reduction in the inflammatory response and a decrease in swelling. Besides, the cold numbs nerve endings, acting as a temporary analgesic to relieve pain. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals engaged in physically demanding activities can greatly benefit from the cold plunge. By controlling inflammation effectively, ice baths can speed up the healing process, reduce the risk of further tissue damage, and shorten the recovery period.

Post-Workout Inflammation
Engaging in strenuous physical activity, especially high-intensity or long-duration workouts, often leads to microscopic damage in muscle fibers. This damage triggers an inflammatory response, leading to a condition known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is characterized by muscle stiffness, swelling, and pain, which usually peaks 24 to 72 hours after the exercise session. The cold plunge can help manage post-workout inflammation and reduce the symptoms of DOMS. The cold exposure limits the inflammatory response and reduces the production of metabolites that cause muscle soreness. As a result, athletes and regular exercisers who take the cold plunge post-workout may experience less muscle soreness and faster recovery times. This quick recovery can be beneficial in maintaining their performance levels and readiness for the next training session or competition.
Get more post-workout recovery tips here.

Ice Baths and Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, low-grade inflammation that can last for months or years. It’s a silent threat, often going unnoticed until it manifests as various health issues. Emerging research suggests that regular exposure to cold, such as frequent ice baths, may have a role in reducing chronic systemic inflammation.
Cold exposure stimulates the activity of brown fat, a special type of fat that burns energy to generate heat. This leads to a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory substances in the body, helping to control chronic inflammation. Additionally, ice baths might indirectly benefit chronic inflammation by improving sleep quality and reducing stress levels, both known contributors to chronic inflammation.

The Hidden Dangers of Uncontrolled Inflammation
If not properly managed, inflammation can have serious consequences. In the short term, uncontrolled inflammation can cause painful symptoms and prolong recovery times. It can even lead to further injuries by weakening tissues and making them more susceptible to damage. Long-term chronic inflammation is even more damaging. It can accelerate the aging process, damage cellular structures, and contribute to a myriad of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Chronic inflammation can also cause persistent fatigue, affect cognitive functions, and contribute to weight problems. The potential health risks associated with uncontrolled inflammation highlight the importance of effective inflammation management.

Embracing the Cold
The Cold Plunge isn’t a magic bullet for all health issues. However, they represent a promising approach to managing various types of inflammation. Alongside other lifestyle factors, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management, ice baths can play a part in a holistic strategy for health and wellbeing. Embracing regular Cold Plunge sessions can be a powerful step towards better inflammation management and overall health.

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