Contrast therapy: putting the wellness trend to the test

“Your body carries a lot of tension.” 
 
My massage therapist tells me this often, which is not surprising given that I’m a sleep-deprived mother of an eight-month-old and a formidable three-year-old. 
 
Yet for all that, massages rarely move the needle – especially when it comes to releasing tension or relieving my chronic headaches. So I take matters into my own hands and reach out to new Hong Kong contrast therapy centre Acme , hoping that a session there might finally help both my mind and body. 

What is contrast therapy? 

Also known as hot and cold therapy, contrast therapy involves alternating between exposure to hot and cold temperatures. This process causes the blood vessels to dilate and constrict, creating a pumping effect that can help boost circulation, reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural recovery. Cold exposure can also stimulate the nervous system, with reported benefits including mood elevation, sharpened focus and promoting deeper and more restful sleep. 

Athletes have long used this practice to ease sore muscles, improve joint mobility and aid recovery after intense training. It’s also commonly used to help counter swelling and jet lag following a long flight. More recently, people have caught on to the myriad benefits of contrast therapy, fuelling the rise of social saunas and cold plunges across the world. What sets Acme apart from other contrast therapy destinations in Hong Kong, however, is its emphasis on privacy and thoughtful attention to detail. 

My contrast therapy session 

The space features six rooms, designed for individuals or pairs, each equipped with a medical-grade Clearlight chromotherapy sauna, cold plunge tub and shower. Guests are also invited to use a selection of organic products from brands including La Thea, Abyssian, Brune Blonde and Grown Alchemist, all of which have been personally selected by founder Minnie Kim. 

Upon arrival, I’m given a glass of electrolytes to ensure my body stays hydrated for the duration of the 30-minute session, while the process is explained to me: I should spend about 15 to 20 minutes in the infrared sauna and up to 10 minutes in the cold plunge, which is set to a cool 13°C. I’m also scheduled to have a deep tissue massage immediately afterwards in order to maximise the benefits of the therapy. “When your muscles are warm, they’re more receptive to deeper manipulation,” says Kim.  

I’m instructed to shower and clean my skin with the provided products before starting the session, as contrast therapy works directly on the skin and pores. And before leaving the room, Kim gives me a moisturising sheet face mask to wear in the sauna, explaining that my skin will absorb hydrating ingredients more effectively in the infrared warmth than at room temperature. 

Heating up  

Unlike traditional saunas, which heat the air around you, infrared saunas emit light waves to penetrate your skin and raise your core body temperature – leading to a more intense (albeit sweatier) experience. I hook my phone up to the Bluetooth speaker, grab my Kindle and sweat it out under the red light, remembering to dry my body as the sweat builds up, as advised. “It allows more toxins to be released from the body,” Kim says. The setting makes it easy to relax, and 15 minutes pass by quickly.  

Taking the plunge 

Soaking in an extremely cold bath is not my idea of a good time, but the prospect of it helping my body and mind makes me willing to try. At first, the cold feels almost painful as I submerge myself up to my waist, and I struggle to relax back into the headrest or put my hands under the surface. But as the minutes tick by (and somehow, they do), my body begins to go almost numb and I feel myself getting less tense. I try to focus on my breathing – following the instructions on the wall to “inhale, exhale”. I last a respectable six minutes before drying off and treating myself to a final few minutes back in the sauna.  

The deep tissue massage 

Before I know it, my massage therapist is knocking on the door to signal my 30-minute session is complete, and it's time to start my full-body deep tissue massage. Unsurprisingly, much of the time is spent working out muscular knots in my back, shoulders and neck. But what’s surprising is how lightheaded I feel when I sit up after the massage – a sensation I’m told is caused by the release of tension in my neck. 

The results 

I’d recommend contrast therapy for anyone looking for a relaxing and impactful treatment. I leave the room feeling incredible – a little sore, but lighter, both physically and mentally. And that night, mercifully headache-free, I sleep like a baby – even if the saying doesn’t quite hold water.