The records of people using cold for therapeutic purposes date back to ancient Egypt. Today, we continue taking advantage of this method to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, recover from exercises, and much more. The two common approaches nowadays are the cold plunge (also known as ice bath) and cryotherapy.
At Hydralive Therapy®, we offer you an opportunity to leverage the cold in a professional setting. Our cryotherapy devices in Alabama and Georgia clinics are designed specifically to address many health and wellness problems.
Let’s explore cryotherapy and find out how it compares to the cold plunge.
What is a Cold Plunge (Ice Bath)?
A cold plunge involves immersing your body in cold water. During a cold plunge session, you sit in a tub filled with cold water and ice.
The temperature of the bath is usually between 50°F and 60 °F. You would start with 60 degrees and reduce the temperature depending on your body’s reaction.
To achieve the desired results, you may have to stay in the ice bath for around 10 minutes. However, at first, you have to build up tolerance. During the first session, you can remain in the bath for just 30 seconds. Next time, you can stay for one minute, and so forth.
Cold plunges can help reduce inflammation and alleviate muscle soreness, making it a popular choice among athletes and fans of intense workouts.
They can also constrict blood vessels and enhance circulation.
However, these immersions can be highly uncomfortable, mainly if you aren’t used to cold temperatures.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a modern therapeutic technique that, similar to the cold plunge, involves exposing the body to cold temperatures for a short period.
The cryotherapy unit uses liquid nitrogen to create extremely cold air.
You will be able to see liquid nitrogen vapors bubbling over the top of the device—temperatures in the cryotherapy chamber range -from 238°F to -274°F.
During a cryotherapy session, your entire body is enclosed in the unit while your head remains outside.
To achieve the desired results, you have to stay inside the chamber for two to four minutes.
The freezing temperatures put you in survival mode, during which the blood flow is redirected from the extremities to the core.
This can help with pain relief, muscle healing, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and many other physical and mental issues.
Which to Choose from Cold Plunge vs Cryotherapy?
Both cold plunge and cryotherapy help achieve similar goals. The choice between these therapies depends mostly on personal preferences.
Water vs Air
Cold plunge involves immersing the body in cold water, while cryotherapy exposes the body to frigid air. If you aren’t a fan of water, cryotherapy is a better choice.
Time Considerations
If you prefer a quicker treatment session and can tolerate the intense cold of dry air, then cryotherapy might be more appealing. Cold plunge usually takes longer than a cryotherapy session.
Targeted Benefits
Both cold plunge and cryotherapy can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance muscle recovery. However, cryotherapy may have a more systemic effect on the entire body, while the cold plunge has more localized benefits.
Cryotherapy Near You
Cryotherapy is a modern approach to reaping the benefits of extremely cold temperatures. At Hydralive Therapy, we use a state-of-the-art cryo chamber to ensure the most gratifying and effective cryotherapy experience. To take full advantage of this treatment at one of our Alabama or Georgia locations, please get in touch with our team at any time.
Please note that a preliminary consultation with our clinical team is mandatory to determine if cryotherapy is right for you.
Image Credits: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock