Cold Water Immersion

Cold Water Immersion (CWI) involves submerging the body or limbs in cold water for a period of time, typically after intense exercise or injury. The goal is to reduce inflammation, swelling, and muscle soreness by constricting blood vessels, which helps flush out metabolic waste and decrease tissue damage. Properly done, it can accelerate recovery, but prolonged exposure or overly cold water may risk hypothermia or tissue damage. It's commonly used by athletes as part of post-workout recovery and should be approached with appropriate safety measures and temperature controls.