Cryotherapy is a simple concept that involves exposing your body to extremely cold temperatures to assist the body in healing. Have you ever used an ice pack on your neck or your back? If so, you have experienced the benefits of cryotherapy. As a former athlete and chiropractic sports practitioner, I have always been taught to use ICE as the first line of defense. Ice works incredibly well at treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries because the exposure to cold causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and helps to reduce inflammation in the soft tissue thereby decreasing pain.

I decided to investigate the newest technology in cryotherapy, walk-in chambers called cryosaunas that use cold vapor to expose your body to -256°F for 3 minutes or less. I was curious if cryotherapy could help my patients with acute and chronic inflammation, sports injuries, and speed recovery from micro and macro-trauma. Personally, I wanted to see how it would impact someone without major symptoms, just the occasional tension headache from not getting adjusted enough, or generalized workout soreness.

I chose Cryo Body Works (only 14 minutes from my office) to see how things were done. I had a really smooth and pleasant check-in experience and was led to a changing area where I was asked to disrobe. I was given a robe, pair of socks and warm slipper boots. I was led to the cryosauna where I felt like I was entering a futuristic spa and that was when I started to get really nervous.

I brought several people with me to witness the treatment, so they could validate my findings and also experience the treatment, too. I was also intent on asking the cryo technician several questions.

Do people freak out?

Yes.

Is it normal to panic?

Yes.

Do YOU do this?

Yes, everyday.

Why do you do this? That sounds excessive, not normal and now I’m worried about you…

(She laughs) I do it to help with recovery from lifting and working out.

Who else does this?

A lot of folks with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, back pain, sports injuries, sleeping issues, etc…(see conditions treated below).

How old was your youngest client?

An 8 year old, but she cried a lot.

That definitely set off a red flag in my head. Children are unable to regulate body temperatures as well as adults, hence the no hot tub rule until 13 years of age. Cryotherapy may have limits closer to 17 or 18.

It’s sooooo cold face!

I step inside and the technician takes my robe and hands me my mittens. She shuts the door and even though she didn’t laugh like “mooohoooohahahaha,” that’s what I imagine she did in her head and turned on the gas. The platform lifted up, so my head was sticking out of the cryosauna. I stood there, and pardon the pun, froze, while laughing awkwardly.

The first minute went by fast, but I also think she may have lied to me and told me my minute was up to help me along since I was in shock and acting like a toddler. The second and third minute felt like 6 weeks. I was shivering and realized that I needed to focus on breathing so that I could get through the rest of the time. When it was done, I was elated. I felt invigorated and alive, better than coffee (I love coffee, so that’s a big deal). I got dressed and signed up for 2 more sessions.

Here’s what Cryo Body Works says about their treatment:

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects induced from the treatment are a product of the instinctual adaptations the body experiences when exposed to extremely low temperatures…The temporary and safe physiological stress imposed on the body when exposed to the contrasting temperatures stimulates the release of cytokines, endorphins, norepinephrine, and allows the body to create nutrient and oxygen rich blood flow.

Benefits:

• Athletic and Injury Recovery
• Muscle and Joint Relief
• Increased Circulation
• Stress, Mood, and Energy
• Decreased Inflammation
• Metabolic Boost (burns 800 cal)
• Immune System Support
• Pain relief
• Insomnia relief
• Cellulite Reduction
• Sunburn Relief
• Skin Disorders – Dermatitis/Eczema/Psoriasis

Medical Disclaimer: Please do not start any cryotherapy sessions without talking to your medical professional. There are some risks associated with this treatment and should not be done if you are pregnant, have severe Hypertension (BP> 180/100), 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, tumor 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.

Tim Ferris addresses how cold exposure and weight loss are connected in The 4-Hour Body, so I’m not surprised to see an increased metabolic burn associated with cryotherapy. One session can burn up to 800 calories per session and aid in weight loss. In a recent interview, Ferris addresses the claims he makes in his books, which is relevant to the mission of understanding some more cool facts about the cold.

Ferris says, “If you do something as simple as 15-minute ice baths three days a week, and you time those baths properly, you can significantly multiply your fat loss. And you can certainly multiply the effects even further by using something like an a2 adrenal receptor antagonist, like yohimbine. But the ice itself does have a multiplying effect, and it’s very measurable. He then goes on to talk about how to submerge yourself in ice water for the desired results (approximately three 10lb bags of ice in a tub and a gradual submersion up to the neck over 15 minutes is all it takes). For a less painful option, he suggests cold showers or ice packs on the upper back, neck, and or chest area, although not quite as effective as the former suggestion.

The cryosauna may be the answer to Tim Ferris fans’ prayers. This is far less painful and do-able, yet there is a much higher cost. Each session costs $65. Packages are available and can lower your per-session cost, but in comparison to a few bags of ice and/or ice packs, this is the price you will pay.

Another caveat, cryosaunas are not well documented in the scientific literature yet, but I did find this study that reports some benefits with muscle soreness and specific injuries, but until further research is done advises consumers to stick to the less expensive ice packs and ice baths that can offer similar results. I think cryosaunas are going to gain more acceptance in the near future because of the role cryotherapy plays in sports medicine.

Check out more:

The Cryo Body Works Team

Web: http://www.cryobodyworks.com

Phone: (512) 522-0221

Address: 3501 Hyridge Rd Austin, TX 78759