What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a non-invasion, non-medical approach used by individuals seeking health and wellness benefits. The CRYO therapy machine performs by exposing the skin’s surface to low temperatures (between -220-256F degrees Fahrenheit (120-165C)) for 2-3 minutes which stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities. The treatments are administered individually in a controlled environment via the CRYO Chamber.
How does it work?
When the skin is exposed to the cold stimulus thru cold dry air, it activates the nervous system which produces vasoconstriction, this causes the blood to transport to the vital organs. There, blood is enriched with oxygen and other nutrients and toxins are purified. When you exit the CryoChamber vasodilatation takes place and the enriched blood goes back to the peripheral systems of the body.
How and why was whole body cryotherapy developed?
Whole Body Cryotherapy emerged in the 1970s in order to help people suffering from pain including rheumatoid arthritis. When dramatic improvements were seen in patients (decreased swelling, decreased pain, increased mobility) researchers began to look at whole body cryotherapy as a treatment modality for other diseases such as rheumatism, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and other musculoskeletal disorder. Eventually, athletes discovered cryotherapy’s benefits and it has now become widely adopted.
What applications and benefits does cryotherapy have?
Sports
Professional and recreational athletes, bodybuilders and regular exerciser use cryotherapy as a way to speed up muscle recovery after exercise, reduce delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS) and increase performance. By exposing the body to extreme cold temperatures for a short period of time the speed at which oxygen-rich blood flows back through the muscles is significantly increased. This is a safe and natural way to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process of damaged soft tissue and sore joints. Athletes have easily taken to the idea of the approach as an improvement on the ice plunge. The benefits appear to be greater, while the treatment duration and discomfort is less.
Pain Management
Cryotherapy has been proved to be quite effective in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. This safe and natural treatment has been shown to help with Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Tendinopathy, Post-surgical rehabilitation, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, Multiple sclerosis and general joint pain.
Wellness
Cryotherapy involves the release of feel-good hormones which can leave you feeling a sense of euphoria for hours after treatment. This release of endorphins increases the energy level and reduces stress. It generates a relaxing effect and assists to improve issues such as Insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression.
Aesthetic
Cryotherapy has had various applications in aesthetic treatments. cryotherapy Activates the natural elimination of toxins and replenishment of oxygen, nutrients and enzymes. Cryotherapy Increases metabolic rate and caloric burn, Provides comfort and relief from some skin conditions, Enhances complexion and skin elasticity through collagen production.
Who should not use Cryotherapy?
The following conditions are contraindications to whole body cryotherapy:
Pregnancy, severe hypertension, acute or recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, arrhythmia, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, cardiac pacemaker, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, venous thrombosis, acute or recent cerebrovascular accident, uncontrolled seizures, Raynaud’s Syndrome, fever, tumour disease, symptomatic lung disorders, bleeding disorders, severe anemia, infection, claustrophobia, cold allergy, age less than 18 years (parental consent to treatment needed), acute kidney and urinary tract diseases. You will not be allowed to use whole body cryotherapy with any of the above conditions.