According to the American Heart Association, cold plunging can cause a sudden increase in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. This can be dangerous for people with heart conditions, hypertension or those at risk for stroke.
Ice baths can reduce inflammation and muscle soreness, which could ease some of the aches and pains that come with being sick. They also give you a boost of feel-good chemicals and energy. If you have a fever, though, it's probably best to skip the ice bath until your body temperature returns to normal.
Contraindications to cryotherapy include conditions like sensory disorders, cold intolerance, and paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, where exposure could cause harm to the individual or an increase in symptoms.
Cold shock response: Sudden immersion in water under 60 degrees can shock your body and lead to symptoms like rapidly increased breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This can increase your risk of drowning if you're in deep water. The effect can also strain the heart.
Some contraindications to cold plunge therapy would include a history of heart disease; Raynaud's phenomenon, which is caused by over-sensitive blood vessels in the body's extremities; peripheral vascular disease, as can be seen in diabetes; impaired sensation; cold allergy or hypersensitivity; severe cold-induced ...
Never treat with ice for more than 30 minutes, and remove the pack immediately if the injury appears bright pink or red. Don't use ice packs on the left shoulder if you have a heart condition, and don't use ice packs around the front or side of the neck.
“An ice bath can cause reduction in blood flow to the extremities in peripheral vascular disease; increase in blood pressure in those with high blood pressure and increased risk of hypothermia in patients with impaired ability to regulate body temperature — as may be the case with poorly-controlled diabetes,” said Dr ...
Athletes and others find that regular ice baths can reduce inflammation, relieve sore muscles, and help with overall exercise recovery. “Small studies show that people who regularly take ice baths experience fewer bacterial infections, suggesting the practice can support your body's immune response,” says Dr.
"The shock also places stress on the heart and makes it work harder, especially in those with preexisting heart disease." You should avoid cold plunges if you have one of the following heart-related conditions: Heart disease. High blood pressure.
Current science seems to indicate that ice baths may not offer the expected benefits, because the very inflammation they seek to reduce may be crucial for stimulating the training adaptations athletes seek. By reducing inflammation you may actually be hindering the positive adaptation to training stress.
While cold plunging has numerous benefits, staying submerged for too long can introduce potential risks. Prolonged exposure to colder temperatures may lead to hypothermia, where the body loses heat faster than it can produce, resulting in symptoms like shivering, confusion, and fatigue.
Other Precautions
Don't use cold or heat packs: over areas of skin that are in poor condition. over areas of skin with poor sensation to heat or cold. over areas of the body with known poor circulation.
Start With Short Durations. When first starting, staying in an ice bath for no more than 10 minutes at a time is recommended. This short duration helps your body acclimate to the cold temperature. As your body becomes more accustomed to the cold, you can gradually increase the time spent in the ice bath.
When an injury or inflammation (such as tendonitis or bursitis) occurs, tissues are damaged. Cold numbs the affected area, which can reduce pain and tenderness. Cold can also reduce swelling and inflammation.
Avoid If Sick: Refrain from taking ice baths if you're feeling unwell, as cold exposure can stress your immune system further. Listen to Your Body: If you experience any unusual discomfort or pain during exercise, it's best to skip the ice bath and seek medical advice.
You should not use cold therapy if you have diabetes or poor circulation.