Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, encompasses any treatment using freezing or near-freezing temperatures, including ice, cold water, or cold air. Used for centuries to promote health, treat injuries, and aid sports recovery, cryotherapy dates back to ancient Greece. The modern cryosauna was invented by Japanese professor Toshio Yamauchi in 1979.
Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) immerses your body in extremely cold air (-200°F to -300°F) for 2 to 4 minutes. Regular use is most effective, with some athletes doing it twice daily or daily for 10 days, then monthly.
How Cryotherapy Transforms Your Cells and Physiology
Cryotherapy offers pain relief and functional improvement by reducing nerve transmission and slowing tissue metabolism through peripheral vasoconstriction. It lowers oxidative stress, alleviates inflammation, and enhances muscle recovery and sleep quality through cold-induced parasympathetic activation. After intense exercise, it helps with hyperthermia, reducing fatigue and cardiovascular strain. Additionally, cryotherapy boosts lymphocyte levels in the bloodstream and injured tissues, aiding in cell repair.
Studies from 2000 to 2023 show that cryotherapy holds promise for pain relief. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is effective for inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative issues such as osteoarthritis. Cryotherapy also significantly reduces post-exercise muscle soreness and speeds recovery more effectively than contrast or warm-water therapy, especially for endurance training. Additionally, WBC may provide long-term symptom relief and promote skin healing in atopic dermatitis.
Benefits of Cryotherapy
- Reduce your migraine symptoms
Cryotherapy can help treat migraines by cooling and numbing neck nerves. A study found that applying a neck wrap with frozen ice packs to the carotid arteries significantly reduced migraine pain, likely by cooling the blood in intracranial vessels. - Manage your arthritic pain
Whole-body cryotherapy has been shown to significantly reduce arthritis pain and is well-tolerated. It also enhances the effectiveness of physiotherapy and occupational therapy, making rehabilitation programs more successful. - Treat your skin condition
Cryosurgery effectively destroys cancerous cells and removes skin lesions, moles, and warts. While some older studies suggest non-medical cryotherapy may help with itching and inflammation from eczema, these claims lack solid evidence. Whole-body cryotherapy is not recommended for eczema by the American Academy of Dermatology due to potential skin damage. - Numbs your nerve irritation
Athletes have long used cryotherapy to manage injuries, primarily for its pain-numbing effects. The cold can numb irritated nerves, with doctors using a small probe inserted into the tissue to treat pinched nerves, neuromas, chronic pain, or acute injuries.
We look forward to welcoming you to PAUSE — a sanctuary for recovery where you can slow down and nurture your entire well-being. Book an appointment with us, to enjoy our therapeutic treatment.
References:
- Use your in-home sauna to create new mitochondrial cells. JNH Lifestyles. (n.d.). https://www.jnhlifestyles.com/blog/use-your-in-home-sauna-to-create-new-mitochondrial-cells.
- Jewell, T. (2023, October 20). Infrared sauna for rheumatoid arthritis: Benefits and risks. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/infrared-sauna-for-rheumatoid-arthritis
- Saunas, C. (2023, June 27). The Incredible Infrared Sauna Mitochondria Link. Clearlight® Saunas. https://www.infraredsauna.co.uk/blog/infrared-sauna-mitochondria
