Hot and Cold Therapy

It’s important to research and understand ways that we can safely help our bodies heal and recover.

Hot and cold contrast therapy can be a great approach to helping both acute and chronic inflammation, as long as there are no issues with wounds or infection. It is simple and may help relieve pain and promote tissue healing and recovery. “Water cure” or hydrotherapy has historically been used to help tone the nervous and immune systems and helps support a state of homeostasis.

Temperature variation helps boost circulation by allowing the blood vessels to alternate between dilation and constriction. This version of hydrotherapy can have an impact on metabolism as well as support recovery and adaptation with exercise.

Warmth

• Hot compresses
• Baths
• Hot springs

Cold

• Cold water immersion or cold showers
• Cryotherapy
• Ice packs

Interested in trying it out? Keep it simple! Try alternating between hot water in the shower for 1-2 minutes, followed by cold water for 30 seconds and repeat three times. If you want to promote circulation to a specific part of the body, use wash cloths and soak in ice water and hot water. Ring them out and alternate between the hot and cold cloths.

If your body seems to respond better to one temperature vs the other, trust your body’s response and what it needs to heal. If you have a new injury, the general rule is that cold is best, and if you have a chronic injury, heat helps relax the muscles and ease pain.

– Dr. Jill Beasley, Blackberry Mountain Holistic Health Specialist