What is Contrast therapy?

Contrast therapy, also known as contrast bath therapy or hot and cold therapy is a popular wellness therapy that works by alternating between heat therapy in our FAR infrared sauna and cold therapy. By finding the balance between this alternating heat and cold exposure, you can harness the power of contrast therapy in your wellness routine. Combining the healing and detoxification benefits of heat therapy with the energizing and rejuvenating benefits of cold therapy accelerates the body’s natural healing process and boosts your physical and mental well-being.

At Salt World Wellness centre in Bangalore, we have a serene, healing space designed for hot and cold contrast therapy that help with recovery, improved physical well-being, heightened mental clarity and focus, reduced inflammation and more.

Restore, rejuvenate and rebalance with the power of contrast therapy

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Restore, rejuvenate and rebalance with the power of contrast therapy

Benefits of Contrast Therapy

1. Pain relief and muscle recovery
Infrared heat during heat therapy or sauna penetrates deep into tissues, joints and muscles and helps to relax muscles, reduce inflammation and soreness and promotes healing. While cold therapy helps to reduce swelling and promotes muscle recovery.
2. Improves cardiovascular health
Our blood vessels expand and contract when alternating between hot and cold temperatures baths. This enhances blood flow in the body, increases heart rate and improves cardiovascular function.
3. Boosts mental clarity and enhances mood
The release of endorphins and dopamine during the alternating hot and cold temperatures, elevates mood and improves mental clarity which can be further helpful in managing stress.
4. Strengthens immune system
By encouraging lymphatic drainage, promoting healthy blood flow and increased white blood cell production, contrast therapy stimulates immune system.
5. Reduces post workout soreness and aids in faster recovery
The rapid shift between the dilating and constricting blood vessels during contrast therapy, boosts circulation and flushes out toxins. Contrast therapy also helps to reduce swelling in muscles, inflammation and reduces fatigue. This is an effective therapy for athletes to relieve pain and recover faster after training and exercise.
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How do hot and cold contrast therapy work?

Hot and cold contrast therapy involves alternating between hot and cold sessions for a specific duration. Hot and cold sessions are nothing but infrared sauna and cold plunge sessions.This repeated switching between the two temperatures causes rapid changes in the circulatory system. Exposing to warm temperatures, our blood vessels dilate and exposure to cold temperatures constricts our blood vessels.

The repeated switching of constricting and dilating the blood vessels leads to a pump effect which is believed to increase the circulation into tissues and help relieve various injury symptoms. Whether you are an athlete looking for faster recovery and enhanced performance or an individual looking to boost your overall health and well-being, contrast therapy in Bangalore

Important Considerations for Your Safety

Who should avoid contrast therapy?

1. Certain cardiovascular issues
People with heart diseases should avoid contrast therapy as the exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures can add additional strain to heart muscles.
2. Circulation issues
People with poor circulation and issues like Raynaud’s disease or diabetes should avoid contrast therapy as it affects nerve sensation.
3. Uncontrolled hypertension
The rapid shift between hot and cold temperatures can cause spikes in blood pressure making it not suitable for people suffering from hypertension.
4. Pregnant women
Pregnant women should avoid contrast therapy as studies recommend avoiding extreme temperatures from saunas and ice baths during pregnancy.
5. Open wounds and acute injury
Open wounds might blood during the therapy. Acute injuries like spraining an ankle cannot be immediately benefited with contrast therapy as the temperature variation might worsen the swelling.
6. Neuropathy issues
Contrast bath therapy might increase the risk of burns for people suffering from nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy as they don’t feel pain due to reduced sensation in this condition.
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Evidence-Based Benefits for Your Health

Scientific Proof of Contrast Therapy

The benefits of Contrast Therapy are well-documented through various scientific studies:

Effects of Contrast Therapy Using Infrared and Cryotherapy as Compared with Contrast Bath Therapy on Blood Flow, Muscle Tone, and Pain Threshold in Young Healthy Adults
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7425122/
https://medscimonit.com/abstract/full/idArt/922544
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. What are the benefits of contrast therapy?

    Some potential health benefits of contrast therapy include improved physical and mental state, reduced inflammation and muscle soreness, pain relief and muscle recovery, improved cardiovascular health, better circulation, boosted immune system. Contrast therapy benefits athletes with enhanced recovery after extensive training or workout.

  • 2. How does an ice bath after sauna session help?

    Cold exposure during ice baths constricts blood vessels which helps to reduce inflammation while an infrared sauna session expands the blood vessels and helps in improved circulation and flushing the toxins. Taking an ice bath after a sauna session is very rejuvenating.

  • 3. How to add contrast therapy to your wellness routine?

    Whether you are an athlete or a sports enthusiast, adding contrast therapy to your routine helps to improve your overall well being and boosts recovery. At Salt World Bangalore, we offer professional and controlled environments that help both beginners and experienced individuals.

  • 4. Is hot and cold contrast therapy good for recovery?

    Yes. Studies suggest that hot and cold contrast therapy and is a game changing recovery method for athletes that offers potential benefits that can speed up recovery after intense workout or athletic performance. By adding contrast therapy their sports routine, athletes can make most out of their training, speed up recovery and enhance athletic performance.

  • 5. How can I safely incorporate contrast bath therapy to my routine?

    First it is important to know the ideal temperature that your body is comfortable with. If you are a beginner, start slowly with a comfortable temperature and gradually increase the cold exposure during ice bath. Listen to your body’s response in the initial sessions and try to slowly build tolerance. For further clarification you can contact Salt World. Our staff are well experienced to guide you the best way.

  • 6. Can I choose to do only infrared sauna or cold plunge alone?

    Yes. You can choose to do only sauna or cold plunge alone. While each therapies have their own benefits, combining hot and cold therapies and practicing contrast bath therapy amplifies the health benefits.

  • 7. What safety measures should I take prior to beginning contrast therapy?

    Individuals with any underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular issues and open wounds should check with a healthcare professional before starting any new healthcare regime. Be mindful of your body’s temperature sensitivity to avoid prolonged exposure.

  • 8. How often should I engage in contrast bath therapy?

    Depending on individuals’ tolerance for temperature sensitivity, the frequency of contrast therapy session varies. While some people prefer 2-3 sessions per week, it is important to listen to your body’s response and vary the frequency accordingly.

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