A post-exercise infrared sauna session improves recovery of neuromuscular performance and muscle soreness after resistance exercise training.
These findings suggest the physiological effects of infrared sauna bathing are underpinned by thermoregulatory-induced responses, more so than exercise-mimetic cardiorespiratory or cardiovascular activations.
Rheumatology International: Sauna therapy in rheumatic diseases: mechanisms, potential benefits, and cautions - PubMed
Sauna therapy, particularly its Finnish and infrared modalities, has emerged as a promising non-pharmacologic intervention with potential anti-inflammatory, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular benefits. Heat exposure modulates inflammatory pathways by reducing pro-inflammatory agents (TNF-α, CRP, PGE2, LTB4) while promoting IL-10-mediated anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, sauna therapy mitigates oxidative stress and enhances neuroendocrine regulation, contributing to systemic health benefits.
Women’s Health: Saunas Might Actually Be Really Good For You. Here’s Why.
All research highlights the benefits of infrared saunas.
Netherlands Heart Journal: Sauna bathing: a warm heart proves beneficial
These findings show that patients typically considered high-risk by cardiologists have a lower all-cause mortality risk when using infrared saunas.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary risk factors
Repeated sauna treatment improves impaired vascular endothelial function in the setting of coronary risk factors, suggesting a therapeutic role for sauna treatment in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Photomedicine and Laser Surgery: Clinical and Experimental Applications of NIR-LED Photobiomodulation
Near infrared-LED light represents a novel, noninvasive, therapeutic intervention for the treatment of numerous diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine: The effects of repeated thermal therapy on quality of life in patients with type II diabetes
Physical health, general health, and social functioning indices of the SF-36v2 improved. Visual Analogue Scales for stress and fatigue improved.
Medical News Today: What are the benefits of cryotherapy?
In this article, we look at some of the possible benefits to be had from cryotherapy healing, as well as other facts a person may need to know before they consider it.
Cryotherapy’s ability to promote weight loss has also been linked to hormonal boost. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation found that cryotherapy causes a rush of endorphins such as norepinephrine. This hormone is released when the body realizes that it’s not actually freezing and leaves you feeling refreshed and relieved.
The European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology: Whole-body cryotherapy in orthopaedics: current concepts - PubMed
Whole Body Cyrotherapy shows promise in enhancing bone health in athletes and providing relief in osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients.
Current Sports Medicine Reports: Current Sports Medicine Reports
Multiple studies demonstrate WBC has promising cellular and physiologic effects which may be beneficial after rigorous exercise and/or musculoskeletal injury.
Current Sports Medicine Reports: Current Sports Medicine Reports
The body of literature continues to grow for hyperbaric oxygen, compression, and cryotherapy in particular. The evidence for these three modalities suggests that they have positive effects on athlete recovery if applied under the right conditions and for the right duration.
There’s evidence to suggest that cryotherapy can help reduce muscle soreness or in some cases, help to prevent it all together. A 2015 study found that cryotherapy reduced muscle soreness and reestablished homeostasis in the body so that the participants could continue exercising.
Healthline: Benefits of Cryotherapy
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence and some research supporting the claims that cryotherapy can offer health benefits, but whole body cryotherapy is still being researched.
Skin Research and Technology: Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation - PubMed
All the results observed confirm the interest of using photobiomodulation to reverse the visible signs of aging. These results last for up to 1 month after stopping the use of the mask, which is a sign of lasting structural and functional rejuvenation of the skin.
European Journal Of Physical And Rehabilitation Medicine: Low-intensity LASER and LED (photobiomodulation therapy) for pain control of the most common musculoskeletal conditions - PMC
Photobiomodulation therapy offers a non-invasive, safe, drug-free, and side-effect-free method for pain relief of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions as well as fibromyalgia.
Harvard Publishing: Light therapy: Not just for seasonal depression? - Harvard Health
Bright light therapy can help ease SAD, major depression, and perinatal depression.
The treated subjects experienced significantly improved skin complexion and skin feeling, profilometrically assessed skin roughness, and ultrasonographically measured collagen density. The blinded clinical evaluation of photographs confirmed significant improvement in the intervention groups compared with the control.
Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery: Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring - PMC
Low level laser therapy (red light therapy) appears to have a wide range of applications of use in dermatology, especially in indications where stimulation of healing, reduction of inflammation, reduction of cell death and skin rejuvenation are required.
Red light therapy is a noninvasive treatment that may help with several health conditions including wrinkles, acne, hair loss, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions that are still being investigated.
Cleveland Clinic: Red Light Therapy: Benefits, Side Effects & Uses
Red light therapy is an emerging treatment that’s showing promise in treating wrinkles, redness, acne, scars and other signs of aging.
My Red Light Care: 10 Scientific Studies on Red Light Therapy Benefits - My Red Light Care
Red light therapy's scientifically backed benefits include improved wound healing, enhanced muscle recovery, and effective pain management. It aids in reducing inflammation, boosts skin health, and stimulates collagen production for a youthful look. Additionally, it positively impacts sleep quality by promoting melatonin production and reducing disturbances.
PLOS One systematic review and meta-analysis: Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed
This systematic review suggests that cold water immersion delivers time-dependent effects on inflammation, stress, immunity, sleep quality, and quality of life, offering potential practical applications for health practitioners considering CWI for stress management and wellbeing support.
The International Journal of Circumpolar Health: Combined cold-water immersion and breathwork may be associated with improved mental health and reduction in the duration of upper respiratory tract infection - a case-control study - PubMed
This study suggests the existence of CWI's potential in boosting mental health and immune system functioning, however when complemented by a specific breathwork, this potential can be increased.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Cold Water Swimming—Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review
Regular swimming training in cold water seems to have a positive effect on various systems such as the cardiovascular system, endocrine system, immune system and the psyche.
The short stress of cold-water immersion may prime the nervous system with coping mechanisms and thus be beneficial overall. There is also evidence that using cold-water immersion as a form of cryotherapy, especially for body injuries and inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatism, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord trauma), may be helpful.
The LED group had better pain reduction, as indicated by both the VAS and the McGill questionnaire (number of words chosen and pain index) (p ≤ 0.05), on days 6 and 8 after hospital discharge compared to the placebo and control groups.
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine: Low-intensity LASER and LED (photobiomodulation therapy) for pain control of the most common musculoskeletal conditions - PubMed
Low-intensity LASER and LED (PBMT) offers a non-invasive, safe, drug-free, and side-effect-free method for pain relief of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions as well as fibromyalgia.
Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery: Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring - PMC
LLLT (red light therapy) appears to have a wide range of applications of use in dermatology, especially in indications where stimulation of healing, reduction of inflammation, reduction of cell death and skin rejuvenation are required. The introduction of LED array-based devices has simplified the application to large areas of skin.
The paper illustrates the many possible military uses for laser technology. These life-saving applications require especially accelerated wound healing, rapid reduction of infections and pain modulation.
One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain.
Annals of Biolmedical Engineering: The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy - PMC
LLLT (red light therapy) is likely to gain broader acceptance among both medical professionals and the public as its optimal parameters become clearer and (false) negative reports decline. LED light devices for various health issues may also become common in households.
Before and after treatment results with pictures.
Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery: Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on wound healing - PubMed
The use of NASA LED for light therapy alone, and in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen, greatly enhances the natural wound healing process, and more quickly returns the patient to a preinjury/illness level of activity.
Compression is a cornerstone in the management of venous and lymphatic insufficiency. This treatment modality is still underestimated and deserves better understanding and improved educational programs, both for patients and medical staff.
An acute bout of EPC transiently upregulates PGC-1α mRNA, while also upregulating eNOS protein and NOx concentrations in vastus lateralis biopsy samples.
European Journal of Applied Physiology: Peripheral conduit and resistance artery function are improved following a single, 1-h bout of peristaltic pulse external pneumatic compression - PubMed
Acutely, whole limb, lower pressure EPC improves conduit artery endothelial function systemically, but only improves RH blood flow locally (i.e., compressed limbs).
NormaTec’s dynamic compression therapy offers a wide range of benefits, making it a game-changer for athletes, individuals seeking pain relief, and those pursuing overall wellness.
Normatec Systems represent a cutting-edge solution for optimizing recovery, enhancing performance, and promoting overall wellness. Through the application of advanced compression therapy and pneumatic technology, Normatec Systems facilitate faster recovery post-exercise, reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, and improve circulation and lymphatic flow.
The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Peristaltic Pulse Dynamic Compression of the Lower Extremity Enhances Flexibility
Peristaltic pulse dynamic compression provides a means of rapidly enhancing acute ROM requiring less discomfort and time.
Lower Extremity Review: Dynamic compression for recovery in athletes
US Olympic Committee researchers have found that peristaltic pulse compression of the lower extremities may provide a means of enhancing the rheological properties of the lower extremities without resorting to extreme temperatures, expensive body work, or stretching.
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research: Dynamic Compression Enhances Pressure-to-Pain Threshold in Elite Athlete Recovery: Exploratory Study
This initial and exploratory study showed that PPDC is a promising means of reducing PPT in highly trained national team athletes. The reduction of PPT was coincident with reductions in muscle tenderness that manifested immediately after PPDC treatment and the PPT remained enhanced for several hours after the initial treatment and subsequent training session.
The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research
Data underlined that both groups showed an increase in handgrip strength values, especially the experimental group (Control: T0 = 39.48 kg, T1 = 40.01 kg; PBC: T0 = 39.61 kg, T1 = 41.34 kg). The results of the study imply that partial body cryotherapy could be performed also before a training session or a sport competition, to increase hand isometric strength.
Sports Medicine: The use of cryotherapy in sports injuries
The use of cold therapy in acute sports injuries as well as in the rehabilitation of the injured athlete has become a generally accepted treatment method.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms - PubMed
Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms. Average reduction in caliper measurement ranged from 14.67 percent to 28.5 percent. Average reduction by ultrasound ranged from 10.3 percent to 25.5 percent.