It may help improve therange of motionandfunctional mobilityof joints like the knee, elbow, or hands.
This article describes how contrast therapy works, including the benefits and risks.
It also explains how to perform contrast therapy at home to recover from injury or manage conditions like arthritis.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
It operates on the same principles ofthermotherapy(heat therapy) andcryotherapy(cold therapy).
Switching back and forth between warmth and cold creates a pumping action that may help decreaseinflammation.
This, in turn, can help alleviate pain and improve joint mobility.
It can also be used to speed healing followingorthopedic surgery.
Injuries that benefit from contrast bath treatments include:
Contrast therapy is typically performed in temperature-controlled whirlpool baths.
The whirlpool action is thought to further promote muscle relaxation and ease pain.
This sequence is repeated back and forth for 20 to 30 minutes.
Upon completion, you will rest for several minutes before evaluation by the physical therapist.
By doing so, athletes can continue strict training programs without interruption.
To start:
If the water in the cold basin gets above 50 F, add some ice.
You do not need special water for contrast therapy; plain tap water is fine.
It can also be used to enhance post-exercise recovery.
The process is switched back and forth for a total of 20 to 30 minutes.
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Tom EK, Joseph V.Contrast bath.Int J Nur Edu Research.
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