Ice baths may not be the most pleasant way to spend some time, but there is no denying that they can be helpful for recovery. When you immerse yourself in cold water, your blood vessels constrict and your skin temperature drops. This causes your body to redirect blood flow to your internal organs in an effort to keep them warm.nnThe resulting increase in blood flow can help to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. In addition, ice baths can also help to reduce muscle soreness by numbing the nerves and reducing the activity of pain-sensing inflammatory cells. So next time you're feeling sore, don't reach for the ibuprofen. Instead, take a dip in some ice-cold water and let nature take its course.