Contrast bath therapy involves alternating hot and cold temperatures in a cyclical pattern, which stimulates the body's natural healing response, increases white blood cell count (Cells that are part of the body's immune system to help fight infection and other diseases), and boosts NK cell activity - cells that recognise and kill various types of malignant cells.
The key to contrast therapy is in the rapid changes produced in your circulatory system when you go from heat to very cold water. This alternating temperature change sends a wave of fresh oxygenated blood to the vital organs and stimulates the body's natural healing response. This is believed to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and promote cell regeneration - thus making it much easier to fight off colds & the flu.
TREATMENTS
BENEFITS OF CONTRAST THERAPY
The sauna's heat dilates blood vessels, promoting blood flow to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues, which accelerates the healing process.
Contrast therapy can help to reduce the amount of time it takes for the body to recover from a workout or an injury. This is because it helps to reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
Cold temperatures have the ability to reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and decreasing blood flow to the affected area. This can result in a reduction of swelling, pain, and stiffness.
The sauna's warmth releases beta-endorphins, a pain-suppressing chemical.
A hormone that enhances brain function by stimulating myelin growth and repairing nerve cells.
Heat stimulates the growth of new brain cells (BDNF), enhances learning, memory, and combats cognitive decline and depression.
Dopamine is released in the body, stimulating the body's reward and pleasure systems, enhancing learning, motivation, and mood.
A hormone/neurotransmitter that enhances vigilance, focus, attention, and mood.