Unlocking the healing power of contrast water therapy
Most of us want to be healthier. Seventy percent of adults, in fact, according to a study of 8,000 consumers in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
But trying to be healthier can add to the stress that we already feel day-to-day. The pressure to adopt new diets, adhere to rigorous exercise regimens, and navigate a maze of wellness trends can often feel overwhelming. The intimidation factor can go up when you start to read about celebs trying things like apitherapy, which is the practice of being stung by bees on purpose.
You don’t always have to find the next, new thing to be healthier. In fact, tried-and-true wellness practices like contrast water therapy can help you feel better, move better, and improve your overall health.
Contrast bathing, specifically, takes advantage of water’s natural properties and combines them with hot and cold therapies. Switching between hot water and cold water can help you manage pain, promote recovery, and enhance overall wellness.
Contrast therapy can be performed using separate hot and cold baths or a sauna and ice bath. However, investing in a purpose-built contrast therapy tub such as the Valaris from Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs by Master Spas allows you to optimize the practice to benefit your overall health.
Benefits of contrast bathing
Contrast bathing, also known as contrast water therapy or hydrotherapy, is a practice that involves alternating between hot and cold water immersion. This therapeutic technique has been utilized for centuries in various cultures around the world, from ancient Greek and Roman baths to traditional Japanese onsen.
Offering a comprehensive approach to well-being, contrast water therapy not only helps physical pain and discomfort but nurtures your mental health. Benefits include easing muscle soreness, reducing stress, improving circulation, and supporting immunity.
Muscle recovery
Contrast therapy is popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts because it can help speed muscle recovery. When you alternate between hot and cold water, your blood vessels respond. In hot water, the blood vessels dilate. In cold water, they constrict. Contrasting hot and cold water creates a pump-like effect that promotes efficient circulation, flushing out metabolic waste products and delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to fatigued muscles. As a result, individuals experience reduced muscle soreness and inflammation, enabling quicker recovery between workouts and enhanced athletic performance.
Pain and inflammation relief
Did you know that contrast therapy, with its alternating hot and cold temperatures, can help ease pain and discomfort while reducing inflammation? Whether you're dealing with long-term issues like arthritis or just recovering from a minor injury like a sprain, contrast therapy can help soothe pain and reduce swelling.
Contrast therapy capitalizes on the body's response to temperature changes. When heat is applied, blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow to the affected area, which can promote healing and reduce inflammation. Conversely, cold temperatures can temporarily numb pain receptors. Additionally, the alternating temperature changes can stimulate sensory receptors in the skin, providing a distraction from the sensation of pain.
Bonus: A contrast therapy session can aid in lymphatic drainage, assisting in the removal of waste products and excess fluid from tissues, further reducing swelling and promoting healing.
But it’s more than just the temperature of the water. It’s the water itself.
The natural hydrostatic pressure of water, especially when it’s warm, further helps to vasodilate vessels, increasing blood flow to areas of your body that are injured, sore, or experiencing inflammation.
Less stress, more relaxation
It’s easy to feel stressed. Between constant connectivity and numerous demands on our time and energy, most people experience some form of stress throughout the day. Whether it's the pressure to meet deadlines at work, juggling responsibilities at home, or simply navigating the challenges of everyday life, stress can quickly accumulate.
Scheduling time for a contrast therapy session in the Valaris can help you manage that stress — even adapt to it. Alternating between hot and cold water stimulates the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters known for their mood-enhancing and stress-relieving properties.
Water’s buoyancy and natural resistance puts pressure on your muscles. But this is a good kind of pressure because it can support weak muscles, reduce stress on the joints, and increase flexibility. Combined with the therapeutic temperature on the hot tub side in the Valaris, you can experience an overall reduction in stress levels
Improved circulation and cardiovascular health
When talking about overall health, circulation might not be the first topic. But good circulation means better oxygen and nutrient delivery to our cells, quicker toxin removal, and overall happier, healthier bodies.
Contrast bathing can encourage good blood flow by causing blood vessels to expand and contract alternately, thereby enhancing circulation throughout the body. This improved blood flow not only benefits muscle recovery but also promotes heart health by reducing the risk of arterial stiffness, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Incorporating warm water into your contrast therapy routine can be particularly helpful in improving circulation. Combining heat and hydrostatic pressure, warm water can vasodilate vessels and increase blood flow throughout the body.
Supporting immunity
Health is not a singular concept. From physical vitality to mental clarity, emotional resilience, and social connectedness, there are many facets to being — and feeling — healthy. Yet, when you find yourself sidelined by a virus, you might define “health” as being able to breathe easily through your nose.
Of course, most people would prefer to avoid the virus in the first place.
Contrast water therapy can play a significant role in supporting immunity. By stimulating circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage, contrast water therapy helps to enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms. Improved circulation ensures the efficient transport of immune cells throughout the body, while lymphatic drainage aids in the removal of toxins and waste products, optimizing immune function.
Immunity is crucial to health as it serves as the body's frontline defense against pathogens, viruses, and other harmful invaders. A robust immune system not only helps to prevent infections and illnesses but also contributes to overall vitality and well-being.
Contrast water therapy at home with the Valaris
A daily contrast water therapy routine can help you take steps toward achieving better health. However, attempting this practice at home traditionally involved the cumbersome task of filling two separate tubs with water or constantly toggling between hot and cold settings in the shower. While undeniably beneficial, this approach often lacked the convenience and simplicity that individuals crave when adding something new to their wellness routine.
Part hot tub, part cold tub, the Valaris from Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs simplifies the contrast water therapy process. The unique tub allows you to seamlessly alternate between hot and cold water or enjoy each side on its own.
Customizable temperature
In a way, contrast therapy is all about extremes but finding the perfect temperature can be challenging. With the Valaris, you have complete control over your therapy experience. Featuring separate temperature controls for the hot and cold sides, you can set the water to your preferred temperature with ease. Whether you prefer a chilly dip at 40 degrees on the cold side or a soothing soak at 104 degrees on the hot side, the Valaris allows you to tailor your therapy experience to your physiology.
Hydrotherapy jets
While alternating between hot and cold water is therapeutic in itself, sometimes you crave a little extra pampering. The hot tub side of the Valaris is equipped with 16 massage jets, offering additional therapy for your muscles and joints. Relax into one of two contoured seats and let the soothing sensation of hydrotherapy melt away tension and stress, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Versatile therapy
Whether you're seeking relief from muscle soreness, stress reduction, or enhanced circulation, the Valaris offers multiple therapy options in one space-saving system. You can go from hot to cold and cold to hot — which stimulates circulation, promotes muscle recovery, and invigorates your senses.
But sometimes you just want to get into a hot tub at the end of a stressful day. Or feel that rush of energy that you can only get from cold water immersion.
Designed to be used together, each side of the Valaris can also be used on its own. Turn on the massage jets of the hot tub for relaxation and relief. Use the cold tub for muscle soreness, inflammation, and pain relief.
Unmatched comfort
Designed with your comfort in mind, the Valaris features ergonomic seating and premium materials for an unparalleled relaxation experience. The cold tub side features a wide seat and built-in arm rests, allowing you to control your descent into the cold water. A nonslip comfort flooring system adds grip and traction to make the experience not just comfortable but safe.
Superior water filtration for better health
The Valaris is equipped with advanced water filtration technology, ensuring that your therapy sessions are not only enjoyable but also hygienic and safe. The cold tub side features a UV system that kills bacteria and other contaminants. The hot tub side utilizes ozone for water purification. Both sides of the Valaris have an efficient circulation pump that keeps the water moving, trapping debris and dirt in the filter.
These water care features take the stress out of water maintenance. The system requires few chemicals to keep the water clean and clear.
Choosing the best contrast therapy tub
Do you want to enjoy the benefits of contrast therapy without buying bag after bag of ice? Having a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub allows you to realize the impact of cold water. Enjoy clean, clear water on demand. You can click here to find out more about the benefits of incorporating a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT cold tub into your routine. Start your journey today!
