Improves Nerve Functions
The central nervous system comprises two essential parts – the brain and the spinal cord. The central nervous system handles the processing unit of the body, while the brain controls all of the functions in the body. This includes movement, thinking, speech, awareness, and the five senses of hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, and feeling. On the other hand, the spinal cord acts as an extension of the brain. It transports messages to the brain via the peripheral nerves. These nerves also send signals to indicate pain or aches to the body.
Ice bath or cold-water immersion (CWI) is an effective therapy to train the nerves to slow down the signaling process to the brain. As a result, the pain receptors experience delay, causing less pain or muscle soreness. In addition, soaking in an ice bath soothes skin temperature. The two effects stated incredibly forced sensitivity to painful stimuli.
Researchers concluded that ice baths could invigorate sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, stress response, and recovery time, which are directly affected by a natural high mood and attitude. An ice bath can also assist in sleep, causing a person to feel less tired. In addition, the vagus system, part of the parasympathetic, is strengthened by ice bath therapy to improve nerve functions.
