- Well, I've got a question for you right now.

Would you be willing to jump into near freezing water, and then sweat in 100 degree room?

Well, if I told you it's good for you, would that change your mind?

"Carolina Impact's" Dara Khalid and videographer Marcellus Jones show us how contrast therapy is a trend that actually comes with health benefits.

- [Dara] You've likely seen it all over social media.

People hopping into ice cold water cold plunging, then heating up their bodies, getting a good sweat in a sauna.

This trend, taking the internet and our region by storm... - People always want to do the trendy things.

- [Dara] Is called contrast therapy, which means going back and forth from extremely cold to extremely hot temperatures, or vice versa.

- You're gonna feel some different things that you normally don't feel.

- [Dara] Here at Freedom Longevity and Wellness in Terrell, you'll find the whole setup from tubs that reach near freezing temperatures... - We have chillers that run water into the cold plunge themselves.

The running water stops you from creating that thermal barrier - [Dara] To high-tech saunas.

- We like using infrared over a dry sauna because it helps to actually pull the inflammation out of the body.

- [Dara] You may be wondering, what's the point in doing all of this?

Well, experts say there are several benefits, like improved circulation, boosted immunity, increased metabolism, and muscle recovery.

- Like the way I explain it to people is hot relaxes the body, gets the muscles to relax, brings the inflammation out.

The cold sets the muscles around the joints.

- [Dara] And for Andrew Sheybani-Agdam, his job as a nurse puts his body through a lot.

He sees contrast therapy as relief.

- I had a lot of like lower back pain, probably from moving people and nurse work.

So the first time that I came and did the contrast therapy, I noticed that like my back didn't hurt quite as bad.

- [Dara] This is something his coach, Ben Price, can relate to.

- I got hurt overseas, lost a lot of guys overseas in in that moment.

(gentle music) Cold plunges saved me.

(gentle music) - [Dara] In 2009, the Army veteran was injured in a tragic incident during deployment.

He was then medically retired and prescribed medications that he says did more harm than good.

- I tried to commit suicide twice 'cause I couldn't live without... (sniffles) (gentle music) Sorry.

(sniffles) (gentle music) I didn't think I could live without 'em.

- [Dara] But after giving contrast therapy a try, the pain got better.

- I did 'em every day for a full year.

Ended up coming off medications slowly throughout that year and seeing the change.

- [Dara] And in January, 2024, he got to see others benefit in the same way when he and his business partner, Tony Gentile, opened the facility.

- We fell in love with being able to help people.

- [Dara] But at Freedom, they didn't just stop with tubs and saunas.

They have other amenities that help folks get the most out of contrast therapy, like a hyperbaric chamber, which speeds up recovery by adding oxygen to the bloodstream, and compression boots.

- It helps with circulation in your legs, metabolic waste.

I'm a nurse, so I'm on my feet a lot.

So this is definitely a nice way to relax and recover after working a shift.

- [Dara] And back in Charlotte... - Hi, how are you?

(client chatters) - [Dara] There's another business adding creative twists to contrast therapy.

- We've always kind of been about extremes.

- [Dara] At Arrichion Hot Yoga and Circuit Training, they like it hot in their yoga classes.

And by a hot, I mean... - You're probably looking at about 110 degrees within the room.

And we have about 80% humidity.

So it's not gonna feel like a dry heat.

- [Dara] Which means you can swap out the traditional sauna for one of these classes.

- Get nice and sweaty, and then do a cold plunge afterwards to kind of get the same type of benefits, just like you would be if you were coming out of the sauna into the cold plunge tub.

- [Dara] Regardless of how you slice and dice the hot portion of your session, professionals say this should be a constant.

- 11 minutes of cold plunging per week for like optimal benefits.

And that can be combined in any way, shape, or form really.

So you can do like two minutes one day, and five minutes the next day, and 30 seconds the next day, and things like that.

- [Dara] And just how there are physical benefits to contrast therapy, there are psychological benefits too, like stress relief and... - My mental clarity throughout the day have been, you know, noticeable during the last few months that I've been doing it consistently.

- [Dara] Medical experts say contrast therapy isn't for everyone, particularly those with diabetes, circulatory conditions, like hypertension, skin conditions, like eczema, and pregnant women.

- Three, two, one.

- [Dara] But if you are able to take that plunge or sweat it out in that sauna, experts say pushing through the discomfort is worth it for what you gain in the end.

For "Carolina Impact," I'm Dara Khalid.