What Are the Benefits of Cold Therapy After COVID-19?

As more people look for natural ways to alleviate lingering symptoms of COVID-19 and boost their immune systems, cold therapy has become a popular option due to its great therapeutic potential.

COVID-19 is often associated with long-lasting complications, such as muscle pain, fatigue, depression, and the development of cardiovascular disease.

With advancements in technology, cold therapy is becoming increasingly accessible and popular among those looking to support their recovery from COVID-19. 

This article will discuss the science behind cold therapy and explore its potential benefits for post-COVID recovery. Read on to see how you can benefit from cold therapy after COVID-19. 

What Is Cold Therapy?

Cold therapy exposes the body to cold temperatures for therapeutic purposes. The exact temperature depends on the type of cold therapy, with ice baths ranging anywhere from 33.8° to 59° and cryotherapy achieving temperatures as low as -300°.

Today, we will focus on how cold therapy may alleviate long-term symptoms of COVID-19. However, before we do that, it’s worth noting that cold therapy produces several responses in the body, such as vasoconstriction and vasodilation, an endocrine response, and metabolic changes.

Each of these can affect your daily life and overall well-being in positive ways, including the following:  

Vasoconstriction and Vasodilation

The cold causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the exposed areas. This can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and numb pain receptors. 

The initial vasoconstriction is followed by vasodilation. This leads to an increased amount of oxygen and nutrients being delivered to the muscles and other tissues, assisting with healing and recovery. 

Interestingly, this process also helps reduce blood pressure, something that is important for the long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. 

However, cold therapy also triggers reactions in the endocrine system, which can have numerous benefits for the body, with managing long-term COVID-19 symptoms being just one of them. 

Endocrine Response

Exposure to cold triggers the body’s cold response, which causes the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. These can help reduce pain, improve mood, and boost the immune system. 

Cold therapy’s potential to improve your body’s immune response may directly impact the management of long-term COVID-19 symptoms and complications. Moreover, cold therapy also affects your metabolism.

Metabolic Changes

Cold therapy can increase the body's metabolic rate, as it works to maintain its core temperature. This can lead to increased calorie burn and improved fat oxidation due to activating adipose tissue or brown fat. 

While cold therapy has been used for various conditions, its mechanisms within the human body have shown potential to help with post-COVID recovery, something we will elaborate on in much greater detail below. 

However, before we can start talking about the specifics of cold therapy after COVID-19, we first have to talk about what COVID-19 is and what its possible long-term complications are. 

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Long-Term Complaints After the Coronavirus

COVID-19 has proven to cause not only immediate illness but also a wide range of long-term health effects. These effects, sometimes referred to as “long COVID” or “post-COVID syndrome,” can affect multiple organ systems and vary in severity.

Here’s how COVID might affect you later down the line:

Cardiovascular Impacts of COVID-19 

One of the most serious areas impacted by long COVID is the cardiovascular system. Many people experience ongoing chest pain, palpitations, and even heart inflammation for weeks or months after the initial infection. 

Some individuals have developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes dizziness and a rapid heartbeat, especially when standing up.

Another serious concern is COVID-19’s impact on blood clotting and vascular health. The virus increases the risk of blood clots, even otherwise healthy individuals. These clots can lead to life-threatening complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, heart attacks, and strokes.

Long-Term Implications of COVID-19 for Cardiovascular Health

The study "Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19," published in Nature Medicine, reveals significant cardiovascular risks following COVID-19 infection, even for those who experienced mild cases. Researchers used data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to follow 153,760 COVID-19 patients over 12 months.

The study found that individuals with COVID-19 were at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases within a year post-infection, including heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and thromboembolic diseases. Specifically, the risk of cerebrovascular events, such as strokes, was about 52% higher in the COVID-19 group compared to controls. 

Respiratory Issues

Respiratory issues are another common outcome of long COVID. Since COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs, many patients report lingering shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or reduced lung capacity even after their recovery. 

Those who had severe infections are particularly at risk for pulmonary fibrosis, which is scarring in the lungs that makes breathing difficult and may permanently reduce lung function. Reduced lung function and decreased oxygen intake may lead to feelings of fatigue.

Persistent Fatigue

Persistent fatigue is one of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms. In addition to fatigue, some COVID-19 survivors experience muscle and joint pain, sometimes accompanied by significant muscle weakness that may require physical therapy to improve. 

However, COVID-19 may also have impacts on your mental health.

Mental Health Issues

Neurological and mental health issues are also prevalent among COVID-19 survivors. "Brain fog," which includes symptoms like memory loss, trouble concentrating, and confusion, has become a well-recognized outcome of the virus. 

Other long-term neurological effects can include headaches, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. Additionally, COVID-19 has been linked to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Although these long-term health implications of COVID-19 may seem intimidating, cold therapy shows promise for symptom management. Let’s find out how. 

How Cold Therapy Can Help You After COVID-19

Cold therapy has many benefits for the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, fatigue, and mental health, among others. These benefits can all translate to the effective management of long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

Here’s how cold therapy can help you manage the symptoms and prevent long-term complications of COVID-19: 

1. Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Cold Therapy

An article published in The Journal of Circumpolar Health indicates that cold water immersion (CWI) may offer cardiovascular benefits by improving vascular function and reducing cardiovascular risk factors. 

Specifically, cold therapy can lead to decreased blood pressure, improved cholesterol profiles, and reduced oxidative stress markers. It also stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT), which regulates fat and glucose metabolism.

Additional studies show that cold water immersion has the potential to reduce long-term risks of developing cardiovascular diseases. Studies, such as this one, which examined the long-term effects of cold water immersion on cardiovascular health, back up these findings. 

Furthermore, CWI was associated with reductions in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and a decrease in pro-inflammatory markers. The study also observed a decrease in liver fat accumulation, which aligns with a reduced risk of metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

Due to cold therapy's great cardiovascular benefits, it is a valuable tool to help decrease the risk of suffering post-COVID-19 cardiovascular issues and events. 

2. Reduce Systemic Inflammation

COVID-19 can trigger a widespread inflammatory response in the body, often called a "cytokine storm," which may contribute to prolonged symptoms. Systemic inflammation in various body parts can last for prolonged periods following COVID-19 infection. 

Cold therapy can reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and potentially decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, other studies show that cold temperatures can reduce inflammatory responses in the body. 

Speaking of your body’s response, cold therapy may also boost the overall function of your immune system. Let’s find out how. 

3. Boost Immune Function

Exposure to cold temperatures can stimulate the production of white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes. These cells play a crucial role in fighting infections and regulating the immune response. 

This research demonstrates how cold water exposure helps increase various types of blood cells, particularly the white blood cells responsible for fighting off invaders, such as any remaining COVID-19. 

This boost in immune cell activity may help your body better defend against lingering viral particles and support overall immune health. 

Incorporating regular cold therapy sessions is a valuable tool for strengthening your immune system post-COVID-19. This helps lower the chances of you being infected again, whether with COVID or other pathogens. 

4. Alleviate Muscle and Joint Pain While Reducing Fatigue

Many people experience persistent muscle aches and joint pain after COVID-19. Cold therapy can numb pain receptors and reduce inflammation in affected areas, providing relief and improving mobility. 

By regularly practicing cold immersion, you may find that muscle soreness diminishes, allowing you to regain strength and flexibility more quickly.

Fatigue often accompanies pain and soreness as far as post-COVID symptoms are concerned. There are pieces of research which indicate that cold exposure can lead to physiological reactions that reduce feelings of fatigue. 

Furthermore, as mentioned above, cold water therapy has the potential to improve metabolism, providing a more constant supply of energy throughout the day. 

5. Improve Respiratory Function

COVID-19 can cause lasting damage to the lungs and respiratory system. Cold therapy may help by reducing inflammation in the airways, improving circulation, and increasing oxygen uptake. However, more conclusive research is required on this front. 

6. Enhance Mental Well-Being

The mental health impact of COVID-19 cannot be overlooked. Cold therapy has been shown to release endorphins, the body's natural mood boosters, and reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. 

Regularly engaging in cold therapy may help alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress associated with the recovery process. 

The sense of accomplishment and resilience gained from enduring cold exposure can also improve self-esteem and mental strength, all of which can help reduce the negative mental health effects associated with post-COVID life. Both the physical and mental cold plunge COVID benefits cannot be ignored. 

How to Incorporate Cold Therapy for COVID Recovery

Incorporating cold therapy into your post-COVID recovery routine can help manage a variety of symptoms and prevent long-term complications. However, cold therapy has to be done correctly to achieve these results. 

Generally speaking, the easiest way to incorporate cold therapy into your daily life is with a dedicated cold plunge tub, so let’s examine what this entails. 

Starting Slowly with Cold Therapy

To begin, ease into cold therapy with short plunges of one to two minutes, allowing your body to adjust to the cold. Gradually, you can increase the duration as your tolerance builds, aiming for around five to ten minutes per session. 

This gradual approach can help prevent shock to your system and give your body time to adjust to the lower temperatures. Pay attention to how you feel during and after each session, as this will help you determine the best duration for your needs.

Setting the Right Temperature

For therapeutic cold therapy, aim to maintain the tub temperature between 50 to 59°F (10 to 15°C). This range is generally cold enough to offer the benefits of cold exposure without causing extreme discomfort. 

If you’re new to cold plunges, you might want to start at the warmer end of this range and gradually lower the temperature over time. By keeping the temperature consistent, you can gauge your body’s response and track any tolerance and comfort level improvements.

Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

Practicing controlled breathing can enhance the effects of cold therapy and help you feel more comfortable in the cold water. Before entering the tub, take a few deep breaths, then continue with slow, steady breathing throughout your session. 

Focusing on your breath can help calm your mind, reduce discomfort, and allow you to stay relaxed. If you find the initial shock overwhelming, take slow, deep breaths to stabilize your heart rate and bring your focus to the present moment, which can ease the adjustment.

Scheduling Cold Plunge Sessions

To incorporate cold therapy effectively, try to set a regular schedule. Many people benefit from plunging several times a week, but you might begin with two or three times a week and adjust based on how you feel. 

It’s also helpful to plunge at a consistent time of day, as this helps your body become accustomed to the routine. Some prefer to use cold plunges in the morning to invigorate themselves, while others find it beneficial after physical activity or in the evening to promote recovery.

Post-Plunge Warming Techniques

After each cold plunge, it’s important to warm up gradually to help your body transition back to its normal temperature. Toweling off and getting dressed in warm clothing can be sufficient, or you might enjoy a warm drink to ease the warming process. 

Avoid immediately jumping into a hot shower, as this sudden temperature shift can be jarring. Instead, allow your body to naturally warm up over the next 15 to 20 minutes, which can be gentler and encourage circulation. 

Ice bath COVID benefits aren’t hard to reap, but you don’t want to stress your body past the point of benefit, so be sure to take things slowly, which applies to both the plunge and the post-plunge. 

Listening to Your Body

As with any recovery method, listening to your body and responding to how you feel is essential. Cold therapy may feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice, many people find it becomes more manageable. Furthermore, remember that you may not want to cold plunge with COVID, but rather wait until you are recovering from it. 

However, if you experience extreme discomfort, dizziness, or any adverse symptoms, you should end the session and consult a healthcare provider if needed. Recovery is highly individualized, so finding the best balance for your body is key.

Final Thoughts on Cold Therapy Post-COVID-19

incorporating cold therapy as part of your COVID-19 recovery can offer a natural approach to managing lingering symptoms and potentially reduce the risk of long-term complications. 

While more research is needed to understand the effects of cold exposure on post-COVID health, studies have suggested that regular cold therapy may support cardiovascular and immune health, reduce inflammation, alleviate fatigue, and improve mental well-being. 

By using a cold plunge tub, you can easily integrate cold therapy into your routine. Start with short, manageable sessions and gradually increase as your tolerance builds. 

Remember to listen to your body, adjust your sessions to suit your needs, and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns. Cold therapy is a promising addition to any COVID recovery approach, offering a non-invasive way to support your overall wellness and resilience.

Products like the IceBarrel provide a convenient and effective way to include cold therapy in your recovery routine. These solutions allow you to easily manage temperature and duration, offering a tailored approach to your needs. When it comes to the cold plunge and COVID, using a state-of-the-art ice bath is highly recommended. 

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