Written by Amanda Lundberg, BSN, RN
Cryotherapy isn’t just another chilling song by Vanilla Ice but instead a growing healthcare and fitness trend that offers various therapeutic benefits for many medical and cosmetic conditions. Cryotherapy, which simply means cold therapy, works by reducing blood flow to a particular part of the body thereby decreasing inflammation, swelling, and associated pain. It’s also been found to temporarily decrease nerve conduction velocity and reduce oxidative stress assisting in the management of nerve and inflammatory pain syndromes. With thousands of cryotherapy devices on the market today, we break down the various types of cryotherapy, indications for use, general FAQs, and showcase cryotherapy machines for sale.
Just as the name implies, whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is a wellness treatment that involves exposing the entire body, sparing the head, to subzero temperatures to elicit an anti-inflammatory response. The cooling occurs within a specialized chamber that uses liquid nitrogen to reduce the temperature of the device to around -200° F. With temperatures this low, the therapy takes place for no more than 5 minutes but the post-treatment benefits can last for hours to come. Devices of this caliber include chambers such as the CryoStar Antarctica that offers unparalleled cooling therapy, a luxurious and easy-to-clean interior, and a built-in ventilation system. Due to the high cost of whole body cryotherapy devices, most individuals tend to perform their sessions in a clinic or business setting with the frequency of treatment varying from person to person.
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Best: Whole Body Cryotherapy Chamber | CryoStar Antarctica
If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into a full-body submersion chamber, consider instead the cooling benefits of localized cryotherapy application. With various application sources available including cold therapy machines, ice compression wraps, ice/cold massagers, icepacks, and coolant sprays - there is quite literally something for everyone. The mechanism of localized cryotherapy is similar to whole body cryotherapy except that it is geared toward a specific part of the body. Application of the cold device facilitates a cascade of events that causes vasoconstriction of localized blood vessels along with an increase in collagen production. These processes in coordination can contribute to a reduction in pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Similar to whole body cryotherapy, there are also devices such as the ICEBERG that use nitrogen vapor to facilitate the cooling process but do so in a localized application. As a more compact version, the ICEBERG comes at a much more manageable price tag compared to the total body models.
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Best: Localized Cryotherapy Machine | Iceberg
Although ice baths offer similar benefits to cryotherapy, there are some significant differences between the two therapies that should be mentioned. Whereas cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures ranging from -200°F to -280°F, the temperature ofan ice bath tends to be much warmer from 45°F to 60°F. This said, because of their varying states of matter (gas versus liquid) the perception of coldness may still be extreme in an ice bath temperature. As a result of the temperature variation between devices, the resulting skin temperature also varies leading to shortened sessions when performing cryotherapy compared to an ice bath. Although both offer several therapeutic effects, some argue that ice baths can have more holistic benefits due to the full submersive experience.
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Perhaps the most commonly used modality in the field of sports medicine, cryotherapy can be extremely advantageous in the treatment of acute sports injuries. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often referred to as “RICE”, ice along with rest, compression, and elevation can contribute to a reduction in swelling and pain and promote expedited healing following an injury. Application through a standard ice pack or cold compression unit is generally performed for 15-25 minutes. By quite nearly numbing the area, the brain is distracted away from the pain and able to focus instead on relaxation and healing. Application is recommended as soon as an injury occurs and can boost recovery time, refresh your body both physically and mentally and help you get back in the game. Experiencing any of the following? Consider cryotherapy to complement your healing journey.
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Best: Game Ready GRPro 2.1 Cold and Compression Therapy Control Unit & Wraps
In addition to sports injuries, individuals with arthritis may benefit from the therapeutic properties of cryotherapy. Although many arthritis sufferers prefer heat, especially to remedy joint stiffness, there are several indications for using its cold counterpart. An inflamed joint tends to be a painful one and as such, using cold to reduce local pain and inflammation can be one benefit for individuals with arthritis. Similarly, the vasoconstriction that comes from cold use can trigger a reduction in the synovial or joint fluid which is beneficial to the joint in normal instances but can produce excess pressure and pain if it is overproduced. Finally, if all else fails, cold application can distract the brain on days when the arthritic pain is too much to handle. Cold input activates sensory receptors in the skin which distract the brain away from the pain and can give you some short-term relief from that screaming joint. As arthritis is a chronic condition, cold therapy application can be performed multiple times throughout the day as needed with treatment durations varying from 5 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the individual preference, perceived benefit, and tolerance.
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Best: Polar Vortex Gen 2 Cold Therapy Machine for Cryotherapy
Undoubtedly one of the most uncomfortable pain experiences is that resulting from nerve pain. Treating this type of condition, including conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), should be comprehensive and often includes graded movement, modalities, and medical management as needed. Cryotherapy is one modality frequently used for nerve pain that works to distract the brain, reduce nerve inflammation, and improve overall mood. Studies have shown that in addition to increasing pain threshold and pain tolerance, cryotherapy can also effectively slow the conduction velocity of nerves reducing associated pain signaling and giving nerve pain sufferers the relief they deserve. Suffering from one of these conditions? Try cryotherapy today!
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Best: ThermaZone Hot and Cold Therapy System
Perhaps the most well-understood property of cold therapy is its anti-inflammatory benefit. Therefore, the use of cryotherapy in inflammatory diseases is a no-brainer. Treatment should be performed anytime a flare-up is experienced and can be conducted with either localized application or whole body cryotherapy considering inflammatory diseases often stem from systemic issues. While it won’t cure the underlying condition, it can provide users some much-deserved relief from pain and inflammatory symptoms and help ease flare-ups.
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Best: Cryo Mini Cryotherapy Device
Besides the medical benefits described above, cryotherapy is also being studied for its cosmetic and anti-aging properties. Because cryotherapy boosts collagen production it can be useful in the management of several cosmetic issues including scarring, age spots, cellulite, puffiness, and wrinkle development. In addition, cryotherapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote increased cell turnover boosting skin metabolism as well as hair, skin, and nail health. If you’re looking for total body outcomes, whole body cryotherapy or ice baths are most effective to reap the system-wide anti-aging benefits.
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Best: Cryo 6 Cryotherapy Device
Similar to the mechanisms described above, cryotherapy can be especially beneficial in the management of pain conditions. Through a reduction in localized inflammation and activation of thermal sensory receptors in the skin, the brain effectively receives and interprets fewer pain signals when cryotherapy is applied. Dependent on the acuity or chronicity of your issue, it can be used short-term or incorporated into your day-to-day pain management strategy. Are you aching from any of the following? Don’t neglect the benefits of cold therapy.
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Best: ThermaZone Hot and Cold Therapy System
Finally, almost any patient preparing for surgical intervention should arrange to have a cryotherapy device. Whether you are having a knee replacement, rotator cuff repair, or lumbar discectomy, we can almost guarantee you will be reaching for the cryotherapy appliance as soon as the anesthesia wears off. The application can be performed daily and can help manage post-operative pain, reduce extremes of swelling, and along with compression and elevation, distract the brain away from the trauma it just endured. With incredible advancements in cryotherapy tools on the market today, you can find a specialized device for almost any body part. ICE20 is a great brand that offers cold compression wraps, available for different body parts.
 | ICE20 Double Shoulder Ice Wrap View Product |
When applied appropriately, side effects of cold therapy should be minimal however some report temporary numbness, tingling, redness, or irritation of the skin.
Although there are many indications for cryotherapy use, there are also several instances where cryotherapy should not be employed. These conditions include severe hypertension, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, Raynaud’s syndrome, cold intolerance, overactive malignancy, peripheral arterial disease, arrhythmia, bleeding disorders, and acute kidney or urinary diseases. If you’re unsure if you are appropriate candidate for cryotherapy, speak with your physician or medical team before initiating treatment.
An ice bath differs from cryotherapy, in that it is a total body immersive experience. It tends to result in more holistic and systemic effects. That said, whole body cryotherapy has also been shown to promote both physical and mental clarity along with muscle recovery compared to its localized cryotherapy counterparts. Each modality can be advantageous in its own way.
Localized cryotherapy is a form of cold therapy applied to a specific part of the body. It is used to provide pain relief or inflammatory control at an injured or aching part of the body.
Ice baths can be extremely beneficial for many users, however, are not appropriate for individuals with preexisting cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. The vasoconstriction that occurs during an ice bath reduces blood flow and can be dangerous if you already have vascular issues potentially leading to stroke or myocardial infarction. Hypothermia is another serious concern with prolonged cold exposure therefore body temperature and general response should be closely monitored.
Depending on the goal of treatment, cryotherapy can be extremely beneficial for pain relief, inflammatory control, and reduction in localized blood flow. That said, there are several claims about cryotherapy that are not yet backed by evidence-based research. Do your research and speak with your physician to determine whether cryotherapy is the best option for you.
There has been some research to suggest that repeated cold water immersions increase metabolic rate and activate the immune system to a certain degree. Further concrete evidence is needed to draw a final conclusion.
Bottom line, cryotherapy modalities are widespread and can be extremely effective in providing pain relief, inflammatory control, and circulation advantages for a wide range of medical and cosmetic conditions.
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Amanda is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in hospital, clinic, and healthcare management settings. Her primary focus has been collaborating with patients to manage disease processes. Aiming at continuing active lifestyles for her patients, Amanda has become an expert in adjunct therapies.
Amanda incorporates a holistic approach to heal the body from within. She has completed extensive research in remedial treatments using oxygen, as well as becoming a professional light therapy specialist. Her reparative ethos to health has sparked engaging conversations and teaching opportunities nationwide.
Amanda has taken her passion for articulating technical medical language and transitioned to freelance writing. She enjoys bringing a clinical voice to health and wellness brands.
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