Cold Water Therapy (also known as Cold Immersion Therapy) has transferred from the world of premier sports and athletics to become more mainstream in wellness practices. From professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious fanatics, cold therapy is fast becoming a staple in any reputable gym, spa or wellness centre.
So how can you offer this in your establishment and which iteration may be the best for your business and your guests?
How Does Cold Therapy Work?
Also known as having a cold therapy treatment, there are many ways immersing the body into a cold environment can help you. From both a physical and mental outlook.
When our body experiences cold, our vessels narrow, reducing blood flow to exposed areas and limiting inflammation and swelling. This is particularly good in recovery from excessive or strenuous sporting activity.
Cold therapy utilises the same principle.
As John Hopkins explains;
Experts believe that cold therapy can reduce swelling that is tied to pain. It may also reduce sensitivity to pain. Cold therapy may be particularly effective when you’re managing pain with swelling. This is especially useful around a joint or tendon.’
Cold therapy can numb nerve endings which in turn reduces the sensation of pain.
The most effective method for this is cold water immersion (cold water therapy).
Why Is Cold Water Therapy Used in Professional Sports?
It is no secret that professional sports teams have embraced cold water therapy for many years.
There are several compelling reasons as to why this is the case:
Faster Recovery
Athletes need to come back strong after strenuous activity. As cold water therapy helps reduce inflammation and muscle soreness, athletes can recover quicker than normal. This gives them the ability to return to peak fitness, ready for their next event.
There is also a case for cold water therapy enhancing performance too, due to its impact on energy levels and focus. With the stimulation of the vagus nerve and activation of the body’s immune system, a stronger level of natural resistance is achieved.
Pain Management
Cold water therapy is widely used in modern athletics in numerous different sporting disciplines. From the Premier League to the NFL, NBA to Olympic training, these technologies have become standard equipment in high-performing environments.
Those wanting to offer professional-level training need to have cold water therapy on their radar. However, many wellness spaces and gyms choose not to offer it due to the ongoing water maintenance, hygiene concerns and high utility costs that come with traditional immersion methods. Let’s take a look at the different cold water options there are.
Cold Therapy Treatment Options
Zerobody Cryo from Starpool
Zerobody Cryo is a unique award-winning system used by professional athletes and dedicated fitness enthusiasts alike. With its patent membrane system and internal pneumatic rising base, the Zerobody Cryo is a great option for anyone looking to offer a premium Cryo experience. It is quick, easy to use and always available. Used dry, it allows users to enjoy a full cold immersion without the need to change or undress. Ideal for integration in a physical session or as a recovery ritual.
Benefits
Particularly ideal for professional athletes, spas and health centres due to the lack of contact with water. This product can be used with wounds which are open, or post-surgery and is much quicker in use than a traditional ice bath.
The set-up is simple, there is no need for water filter changes and it is easy to run and maintain as there is no need for specialist staffing. There are also great margins for positive return on investment with a premium price point uplift to a recovery offer.
Why You Might Choose Something Else
This option is extremely effective in offering premium, world-class cryotherapy/cold immersion treatments to centres that focus on offering the best of the best, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
If you are looking to offer a more standard and initially cost-effective treatment, other options might suit your needs more.
Ice Shower Options
Cold showers or contrast shower therapy (in which you alternate between hot and cold water) provide a more accessible form of cold therapy. This may be the most financially accessible option, however it is less targeted and effects are less prominent due to the difficulty in maintaining a consistent temperature.
Why You Might Choose Something Else
If you are looking to offer a basic option for those who are not as conscious of the health benefits which come with cold therapy, this is a good option however there are certain limitations for centres that want to offer a more bespoke and enhanced service.
Ice Bath or Cold Plunge
The traditional ice bath, sometimes called the cold plunge, is a means of delivering cold therapy via cold water immersion. You may have seen this gain popularity recently with the increase of at-home ice baths. Due to the rise in popularity, this may be a good option for anyone wanting to maximise current trends and well-known methods. It is fairly easy to set up and can appeal to both athletes and clients who are generally interested in health and wellness.
This is great for anyone looking to offer a more traditional cold therapy experience however it does come with water management requirements to maintain and clean the water, protecting against contamination and client injury.
Why You Might Choose Something Else
If you are looking for something which is easier to maintain and differentiates you from the competition (and indeed home use options), this may not be the best option for you.
This form of cold therapy isn’t the most relaxing or comfortable.
Cryotherapy Chambers
Cryotherapy Chambers are another form of whole-body immersion cold therapy; in this case, participants enter a chamber where the air temperature is set to below freezing. The participant will then stay in the chamber for several minutes.
Why You Might Choose Something Else
Whilst used by celebrities and athletes alike, the Cryo Chamber is a significant investment in not only space to house it but also staffing to man it. To the untrained, there is a significant risk in incorrect usage which can cause medical complications. This means there is a need for it to be always staffed whilst in use.
It is now widely accepted that cold water immersion offers a more effective experience than the traditional Cryo Chamber method.
Making the Right Choice for you
When deciding which cold therapy approach is going to work best for your centre, it is important to consider cost (of both staffing and the treatment itself), potential return on investment, your desired brand identity but also the clients you want to attract.
At Alchemy Wellbeing, we offer the Zerobody Cryo, various styles of Ice Shower as well as various Ice Bath options, allowing a choice for the approach that best suits your individual needs or to offer the best experience for your guests.
Our specialists can give advice on which will work best for you, and which will integrate seamlessly with your overall wellness offerings. Whether you focus on professional athletes, wellness fanatics or general spa and gym treatments there is an option for you.
Let us design, plan and install your recovery space.
Still not sure?
Talk to us about how you can test our products.
Enquire today here.
Sources;
Lombardi G, Ziemann E, Banfi G. Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature. Front Physiol. 2017 May 2;8:258. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00258. PMID: 28512432; PMCID: PMC5411446.
