Recently, various stars, including Kartik Aaryan, Rakul Preet Singh, Vidyut Jammwal, Samantha, and sisters Neha and Aisha Sharma, have uploaded on their social media accounts glimpses of themselves undergoing cold water treatment in subzero conditions. Cryotherapy, a procedure that employs sub-zero temperatures, is not a recent development and has a number of advantages for one’s physical, psychological, and skin health.
There are several techniques to apply cryotherapy, including ice packs, coolant sprays, ice massage, and ice baths. The practise of immersing your body in water that is 15 degrees Celsius or colder is known as cold treatment or ice water dips.
According to some research, submerging your body in freezing water causes the release of the stress hormones cortisol and noradrenaline, while other studies show an increase in brain chemicals that control mood, such dopamine and endorphin.
In conversation with news outlet Hindustan Times, Orthopedic consultant at Manipal Hospital in Gurugram, Dr. Gurdeep Avinash Ratra says: “Cryotherapy is not just limited to cold therapy but can also be used for treating certain bone tumors. It involves using extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue with a specialised probe. It is a promising alternative to traditional surgery for eligible patients, but decisions should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.”
Dr. Ashutosh Shukla, MD, FACP, Medical Advisor & Senior Director Internal Medicine at Max Hospital, Gurugram, advised that, “Adapting to the shock of cold water helps build mental resilience and discipline. Consistent exposure to cold temperatures allows the mind to get comfortable in a state of discomfort, which might improve your ability to deal with other types of stress. Immersion in cold water helps reduce chronic inflammation which helps in reducing depression, boosting the immune system, and also feeling more awake and alive. However, more double blind controlled trials are needed to validate these benefits.”
Dr. Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram further elucidates the process, “It activates the immune system by increasing antibodies and T cells, and may help weight loss by increasing the metabolism causing fat in the body to burn more calories to keep warm. Cold plunges may have a positive effect on stress management as well as cold temperature can stimulate vagus nerve which activates parasympathetic system Post exercise therapy reduces muscle soreness and seems to reduce body adipose tissue, as well as reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity.”
Dr. Monica Bambroo, Head – Dermatology at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, mentioned that, “Cryotherapy is a fat freezing technique that makes your skin toned. It improves the blood flow in your skin and enhances the production of collagen, which helps in tightening of the skin. Always choose a good center, with people who are well experienced and have good results because if not done with precision, it may lead to an uneven skin and cold burns on the skin. Otherwise, this is completely safe and does not have any side effects.”
Adding to the line of conversation of panel of experts, celebrity fitness coach Shivohaam added that, “Cryotherapy benefits people, who are building muscles and workout regularly in the gym. It helps create inflammation within the muscles, so that they can respond and grow. A cold water bath right after your exercise session would be mitigating the whole effect of working out, so it’s best to go for cold water therapy the next morning.”
However the doctors also suggested some drawbacks that the ice water treatment entails-
- Although largely risk-free, there are some possible dangers, such as nerve injury or insufficient tumour eradication.
- Shock from extremely cold water can result in a rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and shortness of breath.
- It could also result in hypothermia, which raises the possibility of arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.
- Elderly folks and those with underlying cardiac issues are more likely to lose consciousness and potentially drown.
- Hypothermia, which is characterised by a drop in body temperature below 95 °F and a danger of mortality, can result from prolonged immersion in temperatures below 70 °F.
“It’s important to start with short periods of time for example a couple of minutes and gradually increase as your body adapts to the cold. Remember to listen to your body, there’s no need to push yourself too hard if you start to feel uncomfortable. If you start shivering, it’s a strong indication that you have reached your limit for that specific plunge. You could begin with three days per week for the first few weeks so you can take note of how your body feels as you introduce the new stimulus. A recent study shows that 11 minutes a week of being fully submerged is ideal,” wrapped up Dr. Shukla with an edge-over tip.
