May 2, 2025 by Steve Kerschke, PT
From elite athletes to everyday wellness enthusiasts, people are turning to methods like heat therapy, cold exposure, and red-light therapy to feel better, recover faster, and function at a higher level. But what about people navigating recovery from a brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological condition?
At Kintinu Telerehab, we’re always looking for tools that support healing and long-term wellness. That includes exploring safe, research-backed strategies that can enhance circulation, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and support the nervous system. Let’s take a closer look at these three popular therapies—and how they might benefit you or someone you care for.
Deliberate heat exposure—like using a dry sauna, steam room, hot bath, or even a heated blanket—activates your sympathetic nervous system (that fight-or-flight response), triggering increased heart rate and blood flow. Once the heat is removed, the parasympathetic system (rest-and-digest) takes over, supporting relaxation, digestion, and tissue repair.
Documented benefits of heat therapy include:
A study of over 1,600 people found that more frequent sauna use was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events and death. For individuals with SCI or TBI—who already face higher risks for cardiovascular disease—this is a significant finding.
Protocols that work:
Safety first: People with spinal cord injuries may not sweat effectively. Always monitor for overheating, start slow, and avoid using heat alone.
Cryotherapy (cold exposure) works in stages. First, it activates the cold shock response—a jolt of adrenaline, rapid breathing, and vasoconstriction. Then, the parasympathetic system takes over, lowering the heart rate and promoting calm, focus, and even improved insulin sensitivity.
You don’t need a fancy cryochamber to benefit. A cold shower, facial dip, or even a brisk winter walk can stimulate the same response.
Benefits of cold exposure may include:
One study even found that cold exposure supports neuroplasticity and may help retrain thermoregulation in people with nervous system damage.
Suggested protocols:
Cold therapy may not be suitable for everyone. People with circulation disorders or impaired sensation should consult with a clinician and may benefit from local exposure (e.g., cold towel on the face) rather than full immersion.
Red light therapy (also called photo biomodulation) uses low-wavelength red or near-infrared light to stimulate mitochondria—the energy centers of your cells. This boosts ATP production, accelerating healing, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain and nerve recovery.
Clinically observed benefits include:
One study of veterans with chronic mild TBI showed improvements in memory, concentration, and processing speed after six weeks of red light therapy. Another study on SCI found a 45% increase in nerve cell viability after just five days of targeted red light exposure.
How to use red light therapy safely:
⚠️ Overuse can overstimulate cells. People on certain medications (like antibiotics or retinoids) should check for light sensitivity risks.
Some protocols suggest alternating heat and cold therapy to maximize metabolic and cardiovascular benefits. For example, the Soeberg Principle recommends using heat first, then ending with cold, to stimulate a deeper internal rewarming process that may enhance fat burning and stress resilience.
While these combined approaches show promise, individuals with neurological injuries or impaired regulation should approach this cautiously. The best approach is often simple, accessible, and customized.
People recovering from brain or spinal cord injuries often have altered thermoregulation, reduced circulation, and more sensitive nervous systems. Here’s what to keep in mind:
These therapies aren’t magic cures, but they can support the body’s natural healing systems when used intentionally. At Kintinu, we view them as tools—just like exercise, sleep, nutrition, and therapeutic practice—that help you move forward, one step at a time.
If you’re navigating recovery from TBI, SCI, or a complex injury, and wondering how to add safe, science-backed strategies to your care plan—we’re here to help.
Reach out to our team to explore personalized recovery support and telerehab options from wherever you are.
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