Contrast Therapy
Accelerate tissue healing.
Contrast Therapy works to activate the heat-cold shock proteins in order to accelerate tissue healing, regulate the immune system, and improve the efficiency of cellular regeneration and repair post exercise and injury.
Contrast therapy is the application of alternating between hot and cold full-body immersion in order to improve circulation, reduce swelling, boost immunity, support the lymphatic system, and activate heat and cold shock proteins for exercise-induced adaptations.
Heat and cold shock proteins are specialist proteins in the body. Heat shock protein 70 and 90 play a major role in immune regulation and cell protection during exercise and in the efficiency of regeneration and reparation processes. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) and RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) are cold shock proteins that protect skeletal muscle and help the cells adapt to rapid change. Cold water causes contraction of the lymphatic vessels, these vessels relax again when heat is reintroduced. Since the lymphatic system does not have a pumping action similar to that of the circulatory system, the alternating contraction and relaxation from cold to heat effectively acts as a “pump” which moves lymph fluid efficiently throughout the body, which reduces inflammation from injury or exercise.
Kruger, K. Role of heat shock proteins 70/90 in exercise physiology and exercise immunology and their diagnostic potential in sports. J of Applied Phys. 2019 126:4, 916-927.
Cuthbert RL, Shute RJ, Slivka DR. Skeletal muscle cold shock and heat shock protein mRNA response to aerobic exercise in different environmental temperatures. Temperature (Austin). 2018;6(1):77-84. 2018 Dec 16. Doi:10.1080/23328940.2018.1555414.
Bieuzen F, Bleakley CM, Costello JT. Contrast water therapy and exercise induced muscle damage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e62356. 2013 Apr 23. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062356