What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy uses extremely low temperatures (about -230 degrees Fahrenheit) for short periods of time.
What are the Benefits of Cryotherapy?
There are many benefits to cryotherapy and the use of Cryotherapy machines, which are also known as Cryosaunas. Research and clinical studies show that Cryotherapy can be used to treat and relieve muscle pain and soreness. This makes it an effective alternative to the low-tech applications, such as ice packs and ice bath immersion. Cryotherapy can relieve muscle pain, sprains, swelling, and joint stiffness. Many clients also report improvements in sleep quality and restfulness.
How Long Does It Take to Feel the Benefits of Cryotherapy?
It doesn’t take very long to start experiencing the benefits of Cryotherapy. During the first few minutes, your brain releases endorphins and adrenaline into your body as your skin temperature drops to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Your core body temperature remains at about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cryotherapy treatments typically only take about five minutes, but the XR Cryotherapy Chamber from Cryo Innovations provides short-term results in just three. After treatment, your capillaries expand delivering super-oxygenated blood throughout the body. This greatly increases the speed of recovery. Users feel this as a tingling sensation and the effects can last six to eight hours.
Is Cryotherapy Comfortable?
The treatment usually only lasts between 1.5 to 3 minutes, and the cold air does not contain any moisture, nor is there any air current, so it is very tolerable. Towards the end of the treatment, you may get a pins and needles sensation, but it’ll disappear immediately after leaving the cryochamber.
I'm claustrophobic, can I still use the cryotherapy chamber?
Yes. The cryochamber is open at the top and adjusted to fit the height of the client, and your head and neck are always above the opening so you are not fully enclosed. Although the cryochamber has a door that will be closed during the treatment, it will not be locked so you may step out at any time if needed.
What should I wear during a cryotherapy treatment?
The most important safety precaution is that the client and their clothing are completely dry upon entering the chamber. Because of the very low temperatures, clients are required to wear cotton or wool foot and hand protection plus either cotton underwear (for men) or a bathing suit to protect intimate body parts. All other clothing is removed. Jewelry should not be worn.
How soon can I expect results from a cryotherapy treatment?
After completing your first treatment your body will release endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good and energetic. This feeling will likely last for several hours. Depending on your physical condition, you may feel immediate relief from joint and muscle pain, improved energy, and increased flexibility that will last for several hours or even days.
Is one cryochamber treatment enough?
While every therapy session is beneficial and you’ll feel immediate results, research has shown that you will experience improved and cumulative benefits after a minimum of 10 sessions, within a two or three week period. (To achieve peak performance, professional athletes might benefit from having up to two sessions a day). After that you can take fewer treatments spaced further apart to maintain and improve on your results (For example, once or twice a week).
Is cryotherapy dangerous?
No, the liquid nitrogen that is used as a chilling agent does not come into contact with your skin, and it is the same nitrogen that makes up the air we breathe (actually 78% of it). In the chamber, a person breathes room-air. For added safety, chambers are equipped with an oxygen monitor. A trained operator is always present during the treatment to control the temperature levels and monitor your comfort.
Is there anyone who shouldn't use a cryochamber? . . .
Anyone who is pregnant, has severe unmanaged hypertension (BP> 180/100), has a cardiac pacemaker, is being treated for cancer, has deep vein thrombosis, acute or recent myocardial infarction, uncontrolled seizures, fever, unstable angina pectoris, Raynaud’s syndrome, cold allergy, acute kidney and urinary tract diseases, open wounds or ulcers, or is under influence of drugs or alcohol is advised not to use Cryotherapy.
Can I catch a cold from whole-body cryotherapy?
No, you can’t. The stimulation of the immune system can actually help decrease the severity and frequency of future colds.
Do I have to take a shower before or after a session?
Showering is not necessary before or after cryotherapy. The entire procedure is dry and does not make your skin wet. Many clients come by during their lunch break since the entire treatment is only 3 minutes long. We can accommodate your specific scheduling request.
How do I feel after a session?
Whole Body Cryotherapy stimulates the body to release endorphins, the hormones that make us feel alert and energetic. The energized effects from each session typically last six to eight hours post treatment. The more treatments you do in close succession, the longer the endorphin high lasts. Many clients also report improvements in their sleep quality after Cryotherapy. Muscle aches and stiff joints also feel a sense of relief.
Is Nitrogen gas dangerous?
No, nitrogen is a friendly, non-toxic gas. Nitrogen composes 78% of the air that we breathe. The other components are 16% Oxygen, 1% Hydrogen and 5% other gases. Nitrogen is as common and safe as Oxygen.
How does Whole-Body Cryotherapy compare to an Ice Bath?
Whole Body Cryotherapy treatments result in a very different response from the body compared to traditional ice baths. Two to three minutes in the Cryosauna, which is a cold, dry nitrogen vapor, is equivalent to 20-30 minutes in an ice bath without the uncomfortable feeling of submerging in ice cold water. The nitrogen vapor chills the top skin layers and cold receptors lowering the outer body’s temp 30-50 degrees. This causes the brain to restrict blood flow to your extremities, which is the bodies natural fight-or-flight response to extreme cold. The body reacts to the Whole Body Cryotherapy treatment by releasing anti-inflammatory proteins and endorphins resulting in super-charged blood. Fifteen minutes in an ice bath of cold water initially causes the body to move blood to the extremities and results in a lowering of the body’s core temperature. Ice baths do not supercharge the blood like Cryotherapy.
How does cryotherapy work?
The Whole-body Cryosauna uses a gaseous form of nitrogen to lower skin surface temperature by 30-50 degrees during a two-three minute session. The exposed skin reacts to the extreme temperatures by sending messages to the brain that stimulate natural regulatory functions of the body. In addition, the skin’s exposure to these subzero temperatures trigger the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, endorphins, toxins, and increases oxygen circulation within the bloodstream
Are there negative effects to cryotherapy?
In persons who have conditions like hypothyroidism, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, heart conditions, nervous system diseases and blood diseases, amongst others, there is a greater risk of cryotherapy side effects and some of them can be severe or dangerous. Additionally, there is a greater risk of cryotherapy side effects in persons who are over the age of sixty five, those with substance abuse problems, persons with emotional disorders and those who have known problems with cold tolerance. These are examples of why screening before treatment are so critically important.
Is it safe to get that cold?
Yes it is safe. During the 3 minute session your skins temperature will drop but your core temperature will remain at 37℃, its natural state.
Do I have to do anything specifically after my session?
No, you do not have to do anything specifically after your session, but hydrating is always a good idea.
Is there anything I should avoid after my session? . . .
There is nothing you need to avoid after a cryochamber session.
Why do people use whole-body cryotherapy?
Whole-body cryotherapy is used for its therapeutic abilities as well as its ability to reduce inflammation and promote the repair of damaged tissue.