What is cold therapy?

Cold therapy is defined as the practice of exposing the body to temperatures around 60 °F to support the body in healing from various conditions or general health optimization.⁵

Benefits¹,²

reduces muscle pain and soreness
reduces swelling and tissue breakdown
improves the flushing of waste products, such as lactic acid, out of the affected tissue
release of endorphins to increase clarity and alertness
Release adrenaline, providing an energy boost
boosts immune function
supports stress reduction by stimulating the vagus nerve, improving mental health conditions and gut-related issues
supports mental resilience
increased metabolism
increases weight loss by activating brown fat, which generates heat and burns white fat

Cryotherapy vs. Cold Therapy: What’s the difference?

Cryotherapy utilizes liquid nitrogen to cool the body -220°F to -280 °F for about 3-5 minutes. The main benefits include faster muscular recovery, improved blood circulation, stronger immune system, improved mood, enhanced collagen production, and reduction in inflammation (oxidative stress) which can lead to things like sore muscles, muscle related injuries, chronic disease and even Alzheimers. ³,⁴

Cold therapy is a fully immersive, more challenging yet more rewarding experience for the deep tissues of the body and the nervous system. Cold therapy provides a lot of the same benefits as cryotherapy, it just uses a different cooling method. Because cold therapy is unique in that it affects the deep tissues, muscles and organs, and for a longer treatment period of up to 30 minutes compared to cryotherapy which targets the surface level of the skin for 3-5 minutes, cold therapy provides greater benefit, some say, for organ detoxification, resetting the nervous system by affecting the vagus nerve, greater release of “feel good chemicals” (endorphins), circulation of blood and lymph and mental resiliency.

Cold therapy in clinical applications - Constitutional Hydrotherapy:

Over the centuries, one concept that has consistently been recognized is that optimizing the quality and circulation of blood is foundational and necessary for vibrant health. In addition, when we enhance blood flow by using the benefits of cold therapy to constrict the vessels and pump the blood efficiently, with the benefits of sauna or hot tubs to open up the vessels to carry more blood, oxygen and nutrients, both therapy’s effects synergize.

For decades, naturopathic doctors, ancient healers and other practitioners have used hydrotherapy, or alternating hot-cold therapy in clinical settings to heal acute and chronic diseases, which stemmed from the work of Sebastian Kneipp and Vincent Priessnitz as they healed themselves from major illnesses, and later many people during the epidemics to follow.⁷

It is widely recognized that poor blood flow to vital organs can result in the accumulation of toxins, environmental pollutants, and cellular waste that can eventually lead to chronic disease. By using cold therapy with sauna or hot tubs, we increase the quantity of blood flow, which leads to more oxygen, nutrients, and immune system support being brought to major organs of the body, which supports optimal quality of blood as well.⁵

The body has the ability to heal itself, all we need to do is support it.

Dr. Julia Marie, NMD
Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor
Emotional Breakthrough Specialist

An Introduction to Cold Therapy

What is cold therapy?

Benefits¹,²

Cryotherapy vs. Cold Therapy: What’s the difference?

Cold therapy in clinical applications - Constitutional Hydrotherapy:

Other related articles:

An Introduction to Cold Therapy

What is cold therapy?

Benefits¹,²

Cryotherapy vs. Cold Therapy: What’s the difference?

Cold therapy in clinical applications - Constitutional Hydrotherapy:

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