(NewsNation) — Cold plunging, a form of physical therapy in which a person immerses their body in cold water for a short time, is popular among athletes to treat sore muscles. But does it work?
“Research on cold-water immersion has found evidence that it helps reduce the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage that can occur after physically challenging activities,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Less damage leads to less inflammation, which in turn reduces soreness and helps restore physical performance the next day.”
The process can take place just about anywhere you can submerge yourself in cold water for several seconds or minutes. Some fill their bathtubs with ice cubes, whereas others jump into a cold lake or attend a cold plunge facility.
The water should be 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, the Mayo Clinic says, and people should begin with 30 seconds to a minute and work their way up.
Risks of cold plunging can include hypothermia, cardiovascular events and drowning.