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Ice bath or soaking in ice water is generally done after heavy physical activity, including marathons, to relieve fatigue and muscle pain. However, ice bath needs to be done correctly so that the benefits are obtained to the maximum.
Ice bath or cold water immersion is a therapy carried out by immersing the body in a tub filled with ice water. This therapy is usually carried out by athletes, especially athletes from marathon and football sports, after intense physical training.
Apart from athletes, everyone can also do this therapy which has a number of health benefits. However, ice bath still needs to be done correctly to avoid risks and get maximum benefits.
Benefits of Ice Bath
Ice bath has many health benefits. Apart from physical health, ice bath is also believed to be beneficial for mental health. The following are some of the benefits of ice bath for health:
1. Relieves muscle pain
The body normally produces lactic acid as the final product of metabolism. However, when exercising, there is an increase in lactic acid production to produce enough energy. Lactic acid is what causes muscle pain.
Doing an ice bath after exercise can help relieve muscle pain. This happens because ice water can reduce lactic acid levels, so muscle pain is reduced.
2. Cools the body
If you have just finished doing heavy physical activity, your body temperature will increase drastically. This condition will be worse if heavy activities are carried out outdoors. In extreme cases, strenuous sports activities outdoors can also cause heatstroke, which is a condition where the body temperature is very high, reaching 40°C.
In marathon sports, athletes who experience heatstroke are usually immediately given emergency ice bath therapy. However, you need to pay attention to the time you enter the ice water to avoid the risk of lowering your body temperature too much. drastic which can cause hypothermia.
Therefore, immediately remove it from the ice bath when the body temperature reaches 38.3°C.
3. Lose weight
Doing an ice bath can increase reserves of good fat tissue or what is called brown fat. This type of fat can produce energy and burn calories to maintain body temperature, so it is useful for helping the weight loss process.
4. Improve mood
Several studies show that soaking in cold water can improve your mood. Doing it just once for 18 minutes can even improve your mood significantly.
Soaking in ice water will increase the brain's sensitivity to endorphin hormones. In this way, pain will decrease and mood will improve or feel happier.
Even though many people have experienced the benefits of ice baths, this method still requires further research. The reason is, there is still a lot of controversy regarding the benefits and risks of ice bath
How to Take an Ice Bath Safely
To get an ice bath, you need to do it the right and safe way. The following is a safe way to do an ice bath:
- Prepare ice water with a temperature between 10–15°C.
- Wear only clothing to protect the genitals.
- Enter the tub slowly starting from your feet first.
- Soak for 5–10 minutes.
- Dry your body immediately after getting out of the ice water.
Risks of Ice Baths
Even though the benefits of ice bath have been felt by many people, this method also has risks that must be considered. The risks of ice bath therapy are as follows:
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is an emergency condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than the body can produce it. This can happen when ice bath therapy is done for too long or is done when the body is not fit.
Ice burn
Not only hot temperatures, temperatures that are too cold can also burn the skin. This condition is known as ice burn.
Soaking in very cold water for too long can reduce blood flow. This condition means that the skin and underlying tissue do not receive a supply of nutrients and oxygen, resulting in tissue death. This is what means that prolonged exposure to ice can cause skin injury.
Wounds caused by ice look like burns characterized by reddish or white to grayish skin, numbness, pain, and blisters.
Cold shock response
Cold shock response is a condition where body temperature decreases rapidly. This is caused by sudden exposure to cold water on the body. Cold shock response will make the heart beat faster, followed by hyperventilation which risks causing fainting.
Until now, the ice bath method is still a matter of debate among experts. Therefore, before you do an ice bath, it is better to consult with a doctor first to get advice that suits your condition.
Label : Health
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