Some of the most common conditions that seem hard to treat can get significantly reduced using cold temperature levels.
There are many other related benefits of exposing your body to extremely low temperatures that improve overall wellness. So what does this treatment consist of, and what are the benefits of cryotherapy?
WHAT IS CRYOTHERAPY?
The textbook definition of cryotherapy says using freezing temperature levels for health benefits and overall wellness.
Cryotherapy treatment is an innovative solution that is a step above an ice bath. This cold therapy uses advanced chambers to discharge vapour under freezing temperatures.
There are two main categories of this treatment, whole body cryotherapy and localised cryotherapy. The treatment can get done at facilities with state-of-the-art equipment with professionals guiding this entire process.
WHAT IS A CRYO-CHAMBER?
Cold-water immersion involves submerging one’s body in water typically below 15 degrees. Whole-body cryotherapy involves exposure to cold air for a few minutes at temperatures as low as -110 degrees, typically in a cryotherapy chamber, wearing protective garments on the extremities.
The thermal conductivity of water is 25 times greater than air, so humans lose body heat up to five times more quickly in water compared to the same temperature in air.
HOW DOES CRYOTHERAPY WORK?
Whole-body cryotherapy or WBC and localised treatment use the same concept. By leveraging the cold temperature provided by a gas combination under freezing temperatures, cryotherapy offers many benefits. As mentioned above, the chamber at TH7 BodyLabs covers the entire body.
On the other hand, the localised approach uses a handheld device to target a particular muscle group or body part. The localised process benefits only the affected areas, whereas whole body cryotherapy is holistic.
The broad temperature range of cryotherapy falls between -85 to -150 degrees Celsius, way below freezing temperature. Each session can last up to 3 minutes for experienced individuals in most cases. Beginners might cap it off at 2 minutes, depending on how they feel at first.
THE BENEFITS OF CRYOTHERAPY
Regardless of the short session timeframe, whole body cryotherapy has countless benefits due to the neurochemical release during and after this treatment and the physiological reaction that ensues. So what are some of the most common and helpful uses of whole body cryotherapy and localizing this cold vapour to specific areas in the body?
DECREASES INFLAMMATION
Increased blood flow to body tissues causes inflammation and relative pain in one specific spot. Cryotherapy has been shown to decrease C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) dramatically.
INCREASES METABOLISM
Cryotherapy can contribute to weight loss by increasing your metabolic rate during the session. As your body tries to warm up, you burn calories, promoting weight loss and ongoing metabolic improvement.
PREVENTING DEMENTIA
Dementia is often a symptom of Alzheimer’s that occurs when inflammation and higher oxidative levels affect the brain. As a result, patients suffering from this condition can exhibit memory loss, changes in thinking and reasoning capabilities. Cryotherapy increases anti-inflammatory proteins and has anti-oxidative properties to help prevent dementia.
ALLEVIATES ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Apart from treating chronic pain, cold therapy helps alleviate anxiety and depression. By triggering a release of hormones such as noradrenaline, you can experience fewer symptoms of mood disorders and depression.
IMPROVES SLEEP QUALITY
If you have insomnia, cryotherapy could be beneficial because it helps increase your quality and duration of sleep. Exposing the body to extreme temperatures affects hormones responsible for the sleep/wake cycle. As a result, you can feel more alert during the day after the session and, as time goes on, feel tired and be more prone to fall asleep at night.
DECREASED MUSCLE & JOINT PAIN
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis cause joint pain that varies in intensity. On the other hand, muscle pain could get caused by intense workout sessions that causes stress to some tissues.
Cryotherapy can be a pain reduction solution for both muscle and joint pain, whatever the case may be. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects make cold therapy a versatile solution for most ailments.
REDUCED INFLAMMATION
Chronic inflammation could also be a culprit in muscle soreness and joint pain. Cryotherapy is an effective pain relief solution for these ailments through positive collagen production. Some studies have proven that cryotherapy offered temporary relief for joint pain, and over a long period of being subjected to cold treatment, these effects lasted longer.
REJUVENATES THE SKIN
Many skin conditions flare up because blood vessels constrict and do not deliver oxygenated red and white cells to the skin. Inflammation is also responsible for atopic dermatitis and eczema symptoms. Both these root causes of skin conditions can be addressed with cryotherapy.
IMPROVES RECOVERY TIME
The cryo chamber is one of the best sports medicine options available because it helps athletes with pain relief fast.
IS CRYOTHERAPY RIGHT FOR YOU?
Cryotherapy does not have adverse side effects. But instead, it can boost your immune system, reduce stress and inflammation, elevate mood, attention and mental clarity.
At the same time, the benefits extend to treating mood conditions like anxiety disorders. If you do not suffer from severe heart complications, trying cryotherapy won’t hurt.
FAQS
Do you still have some questions about cryotherapy? Here are some of the most common frequently asked questions.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS CRYOTHERAPY FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Cryotherapy is very effective in helping people lose weight. When paired with a regular exercise routine, the results will be more evident. However, the calorie burn rate of this form of therapy helps boost metabolism, contributing to losing weight.
DOES CRYOTHERAPY DETOX YOUR BODY?
Vasoconstriction and vasodilation help remove toxins from the body. This therapy triggers this reaction which removes toxins from tissues by supplying nutrient-rich blood cells to the body.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO CRYOTHERAPY?
You can start with approximately 3-5 sessions per week while building up to five consistent weekly visits. You can come in flexibly after holding down this routine for two weeks.
WHAT SHOULD I AVOID AFTER CRYOTHERAPY?
Cryotherapy drops body temperatures. Therefore avoid reheating yourself with warm or hot showers immediately after the session. Instead, allow your body to reheat naturally and then take a warm shower afterwards.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Cryotherapy has a lot of benefits that several research studies have supported. The scientific research concurs with the health-related benefits of this therapy—hormonal releases triggered by cryotherapy boost mental and mood disorders while triggering physiological reactions. Try out cryotherapy at our state-of-the-art facilities with advanced equipment for this treatment.
