The Benefits of Cold Water Immersion

Cold water immersion does cause blood vessels to constrict which reduces inflammation throughout the body and can lead to reduce muscle tension and pain. Ice baths also raise your heart rate because the cold shock to your body activates your sympathetic nervous system, which is your fight or flight response. The same shock to your system can induce panic attacks and can cause cardiac arrest if you have certain heart or circulatory system issues. Cold water immersion is not recommended for anyone who's allergic to extreme cold.