The benefits of ice baths
The benefits of ice baths
Ice baths are typically used by athletes after workouts to ease sore muscles and improve recovery.But the evidence has been debated. Historically, the science behind the effects of ice baths has been “pretty mixed,” and some studies have even suggested that ice baths are a placebo.
- Ice baths can reduce pain and inflammation.
- It can numb pain receptors and bring down inflammation, so you can almost think of it as like a drug-free anesthetic, Patients who have inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, may find that cold water immersion helps reduce swelling or discomfort from flare-ups or after workouts.
- They lower body temperature.
- Not surprisingly, ice baths can cool your body down very fast. In some cases, this can be lifesaving. Historically, we’ve used [ice baths] in medicine to treat things like heat stroke, adding that it’s common to have tubs filled with ice on the sidelines of marathons. We’ll get a lot of runners … and their core body temperature is 105, 106, 107 … and you need to bring down their core temperature very quickly,It’s important to note that while ice baths are used to treat heat stroke, we don’t rely on an ice bath to just reduce a fever from an illness, When you have a fever, the most important thing to do is to figure out where the fever is coming from, it could be an infection or another life-threatening condition, that you should see a healthcare provider.
- Ice baths may help with focus and meditation.
- People sometimes do this as almost a post-workout meditation, so it helps them kind of focus on recovery and slow their heart rate.
- They may help you relax and sleep better.
- Cold water immersion may also help you feel more relaxed after a tough workout, Some people note that it helps them actually sleep better,so after getting really hot, really sweaty, and doing (an ice bath) they just feel rested,