How Contrast Therapy Can Supercharge Your Wellness Routine
Wellness trends come and go, but contrast therapy—alternating between hot and cold treatments—is one that’s been around for centuries. From ancient Nordic sauna traditions to modern high-performance recovery techniques, this dynamic duo of heat and cold is making waves in the wellness world.
At Recover Well, we make it easy for you to experience the benefits of contrast therapy with our infrared sauna and whole-body cryotherapy. Whether you prefer to start with heat and end with cold or the other way around, your routine can be customized based on your wellness goals, personal preferences, and how you want to feel afterward.
What Is Contrast Therapy?
Contrast therapy is the practice of switching between heat (like an infrared sauna) and cold exposure (such as cryotherapy or an ice bath) to stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.
You can do this in two ways depending on what benefits you're looking for:
🔥 Hot to Cold: Start with heat (infrared sauna) to relax muscles and increase circulation, then switch to cold (cryotherapy) to reduce inflammation and tighten blood vessels.
❄️ Cold to Hot: Begin with cold therapy to stimulate your nervous system and get an energizing shock, then move to heat to deeply relax and open up blood flow.
The Growing Trend of Contrast Therapy
Contrast therapy is no longer just for athletes—it’s now a mainstream wellness practice with benefits for all ages and lifestyles.
Pro athletes use it for faster muscle recovery and injury prevention.
Biohackers swear by it for improved circulation, metabolism, and longevity.
Wellness lovers incorporate it into their self-care routines for stress relief, better sleep, and glowing skin.
Older adults and individuals with chronic conditions are using contrast therapy to manage symptoms of arthritis, inflammatory diseases, and chronic pain.
For those dealing with conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other inflammatory disorders, contrast therapy can provide drug-free pain relief and improved mobility. The heat helps loosen stiff joints and increase circulation, while cold therapy reduces swelling and numbs pain—a combination that can offer lasting relief when done consistently.
As people seek natural, non-invasive ways to feel better, recover faster, and reduce stress, contrast therapy is becoming a must-have wellness tool.
The Benefits of Hot-to-Cold vs. Cold-to-Hot Therapy
🔥 Heat Therapy (Infrared Sauna) Benefits
Increases circulation and helps deliver oxygen to muscles.
Relaxes muscles and soothes joint pain.
Promotes detoxification through sweating.
Enhances skin health by boosting collagen production.
❄️ Cold Therapy (Cryotherapy) Benefits
Reduces inflammation and muscle soreness.
Tightens skin and boosts collagen.
Triggers endorphin release, creating an instant mood boost.
Enhances metabolism and calorie burn.
How to Add Contrast Therapy to Your Routine
At Recover Well, you can customize your contrast therapy experience based on what your body needs.
Try one of these contrast therapy routines next time you visit:
🔥 Hot-to-Cold Routine
1️⃣ Start with Infrared Sauna (15-30 minutes) – Relax, open up blood flow, and let your muscles loosen.
2️⃣ Cool down for 2-5 minutes – Hydrate and prepare for the cold.
3️⃣ Step into Cryotherapy (1-3 minutes) – Reduce inflammation, tighten pores, and give your body a fresh restart.
❄️ Cold-to-Hot Routine
1️⃣ Start with Cryotherapy (1-3 minutes) – Wake up your nervous system, boost metabolism, and reduce inflammation.
2️⃣ Warm up for 2-5 minutes – Let your body naturally adjust before entering the heat.
3️⃣ Move into Infrared Sauna (15-30 minutes) – Deepen circulation, relax, and enjoy the heat benefits.
Try Contrast Therapy at Recover Well
Whether you choose hot to cold or cold to hot, contrast therapy is a game-changer for your recovery, energy levels, and overall wellness. At Recover Well, we’ve designed our studio to make your experience customizable, relaxing, and social. Bring a friend, switch up your routine, and see what works best for you.
Ready to try it? Book your session today and experience the power of contrast therapy firsthand!
NOTE: Contrast therapy, including cryotherapy and infrared sauna, may not be suitable for everyone, especially individuals with certain medical conditions, heart issues, or sensitivities to extreme temperatures. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting a new wellness routine, especially if you have underlying health concerns.
