Images of people jumping from icy plunge baths after a period in saunas or hot tubs are heating up social media. Participants claim that this method—“contrast therapy”—improves their mental health and helps their muscles recover more efficiently.
Some fitness and wellness experts are also singing its praises, saying it is “invigorating … really wakes you up” and that it helps boost recovery and cut soreness from intense workouts. So is contrast therapy a method that people should turn to for heart health or as part of their wellness routine?
Current research fails to show that contrast therapy speeds recovery or provides lasting cardiovascular, mental health or immune benefits. “When you look at big, large meta-analysis, the evidence is really weak in terms of true, long-term benefit” due to inconsistencies in study protocols, said [Chelsea M. Evans, DO, a sports medicine physician].
In the short term, it may have some advantages. Deconstructing it, cold therapy can temporarily reduce pain, and heat can improve mobility and muscle relaxation, Dr. Evans said. …
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