Contrast Bath in Physical Therapy

A Special Type of Whirlpool Treatment

Contrast bath therapy is a physical therapy treatment in which all or part of the body is immersed first in hot water, then in ice water, and then the procedure of alternating hot and cold is repeated several times. The contrast bath can help improve circulation around your injured tissue.

This is one of many whirlpool treatments physical therapists use to help decrease pain and muscle spasm, increase range of motion and strength, and improve functional mobility.

An illustration about contrast bath in physical therapy

Verywell / Danie Drankwalter

Goals of Treatment

If your physical therapist chooses to use a contrast bath for the treatment of your injury, the goals of treatment will most likely include:

  • Decreased pain
  • Decreased swelling
  • Controlled inflammation
  • Improved mobility

Be sure to ask your physical therapist the specific goals that are to be achieved by using the contrast bath so you know what to expect.

Injuries Treated With Contrast Bath

Injuries that benefit from contrast bath treatments are those that cause swelling and pain ​around soft tissue and the joints of the body. These injuries include, but are not limited to:

How Contrast Bath Therapy Is Administered

To perform a contrast bath, you need two whirlpool tubs. One tub should be filled with warm water, and one tub with cold. The warm tub should be between 98-110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cold tub should be 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some physical therapy clinics will have only one tub, so they'll use the tub (typically for the warm water) and a bucket (for cold) instead.

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Click Play to Learn All About Contrast Baths for Physical Therapy

This video has been medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT

Once both tubs are the correct temperature, you'll be instructed to place your injured body part in the warm whirlpool, where it should stay for 3-4 minutes. You may be asked to perform gentle motion exercises during that time.

You'll then quickly move the part being treated to the cold tub or bucket. Be prepared; the change from warm to cold can be pretty intense.

Typically, you'll stay in the cold water for about one minute. If you can't tolerate the cold for that long, let your physical therapist know. They'll probably have you go back to the warm water.

This sequence of moving from warm to cold and back again is generally repeated for 20-30 minutes. Be sure your physical therapist monitors the temperature of the water as you are going through treatment. Often, the temperature will need to be adjusted by adding more ice or warm water to the respective baths to maintain the appropriate temperatures.

After treatment, your physical therapist should assess your injury to see if the treatment achieved the desired effect.

You'll likely be engaged in active exercises and functional mobility after the contrast bath treatment. Most research indicates that active involvement in physical therapy produces the best outcomes.

How Contrast Bath Therapy Works

The theory behind the use of contrast baths in physical therapy is that the rapid change from warm to cold helps to quickly open up and close the tiny capillaries (blood vessels) in your body. Warmth causes these small arteries to open, which cold causes them to close.

This rapid opening and closing of blood vessels near the site of your injury creates a pumping action that's thought to help decrease swelling and inflammation around injuries. Decreasing the swelling and inflammation helps alleviate pain and improve mobility.

Risks of Contrast Bath Therapy

Contrast baths carry no risk when performed correctly. The main risks are:

  • Burns from water that is too hot
  • Skin damage from water that is too cold

Ensuring that the water you use for contrast baths is the correct temperature is the best way to mitigate these risks.

What the Research Shows

Contrast baths haven't garnered much attention from researchers. However, what little has been done suggest it's an effective treatment.

A 2013 meta-analysis found little difference in outcomes when comparing contrast baths to other physical therapy treatments.

A study published in 2018 measured the effects of contrast baths on intramuscular hemodynamics and oxygenation and found what appears to be beneficial changes post-treatment.

A plantar fasciitis study found that a conservative regiment involving contrast bath was as effective as steroid use. A study on contrast baths and hand volume in both pre-surgical and post-surgical cases of carpal tunnel showed no improvement.

Other studies suggest that contrast baths may be more effective than rest for relieving muscle soreness after exercise, but these studies were performed using elite athletes and not weekend warriors or non-athletes. That doesn't mean the results have no value for other people, but it does mean you should ask your therapist why they're considering this modality and whether any other, more evidence-based therapies are available for your specific condition.

A Word From Verywell

Any good rehab program must consist of active involvement. Whirlpools and contrast baths are passive treatments that should be used to augment your physical therapy treatment program. It's one technique of many that your physical therapist may use to help you quickly and safely restore normal mobility and function after injury or surgery.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L. Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body. N Am J Med Sci. 2014;6(5):199-209. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.132935

  3. Lateef F. Post exercise ice water immersion: Is it a form of active recovery?. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2010;3(3):302. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.66570

  4. Joyner MJ, Casey DP. Regulation of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to muscles during exercise: a hierarchy of competing physiological needs. Physiol Rev. 2015;95(2):549-601. doi:10.1152/physrev.00035.2013

  5. Shadgan B, Pakravan AH, Hoens A, Reid WD. Contrast baths, intramuscular hemodynamics, and oxygenation as monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy. J Athl Train. 2018;53(8):782-787. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-127-17

  6. Narula R, Iraqi AA, Narula K, Katyal R, Saxena MS. Comparative study of: non-invasive conservative treatments with local steroid injection in the management of planter fasciitis. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(9):LC05-7. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/10354.4895

  7. Janssen RG, Schwartz DA, Velleman PF. A randomized controlled study of contrast baths on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Ther. 2009;22(3):200-7. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2009.02.001

Brett Sears, PT

By Brett Sears, PT
Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy.