Written by Amanda Lundberg, BSN, RN
As one of the most ancient forms of healing, cold therapy, including cold compression therapy, has been used for millennia to promote health and wellness. Triggering the release of beneficial endorphins, epinephrine, and anti-inflammatory proteins by tricking the body into fight-or-flight mode - cryotherapy boosts blood flow to increase energy and metabolism. Demonstrating efficacy in numerous studies along with ongoing research, localized cryotherapy machines, chambers, and cryosaunas provide a fast, low-risk, and easy treatment alternative to help users optimize both mental and physical health. We invite you to read further to learn more about this fascinating healing therapy!
Cryotherapy has been proven to reduce inflammation - not only the inflammation that occurs with acute injuries but also chronic inflammation wherever it’s occurring in the body. In very cold temperatures, like those induced in a whole-body cryotherapy chamber or cryosauna, your body’s blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow. But once you are done with this cold therapy, the blood vessels return to normal and your blood carries more anti-inflammatory proteins than it had before the cold exposure. Modifying several essential biochemical and physiological parameters related to the inflammatory response, regular cryotherapy sessions help to diminish the inflammation that can lead to disease.
Known as the hunting reaction, cryotherapy induces a mixed vasoconstriction and vasodilation response, ultimately resulting in improved blood circulation. Narrowing the blood vessels with its extreme coldness, about 5 to 10 minutes after this cold therapy is completed, the blood vessels expand wider than before the therapy, resulting in more efficient circulation. Reducing the venous capillary pressure required to circulate the blood, whole-body cryotherapy provides a wide range of benefits for disorders related to poor circulation.
Proven to activate positive changes in both the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system, cryotherapy has also been shown to increase white blood cell counts to better defend against infection. It optimizes toxin and waste removal via the lymphatic system by increasing blood circulation, along with maximizing healthy nutrient, enzyme, and oxygen flow. Boosting cellular growth and overall functionality, cryostimulation has been demonstrated to reduce the oxidative stress that’s associated with a multitude of diseases, including autoimmunity disorders.
Oxidative stress is also one of the primary factors that causes heart disease. Cryotherapy reduces this stress by increasing the ferric-reducing ability of plasma and total antioxidant status. In addition, the current research suggests that whole-body cryotherapy mitigates total oxidant status and oxidative status index, along with reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Exerting a positive influence on both cardiac output and resting heart rate, this cold therapy has both an immediate and long-term advantageous effect on the cardiovascular system. Cryotherapy also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and its elevated activity is associated with enhanced health and is thought to be cardioprotective.
Because cryotherapy is so efficient at reducing oxidative stress, decreasing inflammation, improving circulation, and flushing toxins out of the body, it may be one of the best therapies to enrich the skin with the nutrients and oxygen it needs to retain a healthy, youthful glow. Countering the effects of advancing years by stimulating collagen production, specialized cryotherapy machines can help to minimize wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and acne, while also reducing cellulite and fat deposits. Proven to be effective against dry, itchy, or inflamed skin, whole-body cryotherapy is safe to use to improve skin appearance and slow the aging process.
Stimulating the production of brown adipose fat, a good fat that burns cellulite (white fat), cryotherapy creates thermogenesis within the body, resulting in a leaner body mass. Whole-body cryotherapy has been shown to boost metabolism, which can result in weight loss, increased energy levels, and more efficient body processes. In addition, regular sessions with cryostimulation can reduce abdominal obesity, while this therapy can also be used adjunctively in the treatment of metabolic disorders.
Your body reacts to cryotherapy by constricting blood vessels, retaining heat, and minimizing bruising and swelling, while it also increases oxygen, endorphins, anti-inflammatory components and healing nutrients resulting in pain relief that’s fast and effective. This cold therapy may also reduce nerve transmission velocity in pain fibers, creating a soothing, analgesic effect. Ideal for both acute and chronic pain, studies repeatedly demonstrate the efficacy of whole-body cryotherapy in relieving pain from injuries, chronic medical conditions, and rheumatic diseases. This therapy provides a safer, more efficacious alternative to alleviate pain than anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids.
Diminishing the impact of pain, cryotherapy often gives users a liberating feeling, enhancing their sense of well-being. Proven to generate a sense of contentment, comfort, and a heightened sense that all is well, cold therapy elicits positive psychological responses, especially when it’s used on a regular basis. It promotes optimal mental health, especially when combined with physical exercise.
As one of the most studied aspects of whole-body and localized cryotherapy treatments because of its popular use in sports therapy and athletic training, its effectiveness for accelerating healing and muscle recovery cannot be overstated. Cryotherapy is highly efficient in treating acute or delayed muscle overuse. As this cold therapy enriches the blood with oxygen and removes waste with improved blood circulation and lymphatic detoxification, muscle, tissue, and bone repair are enhanced for faster healing. Although it’s usually utilized following exercise or activity, it can also be used as an effective preventative therapy before engaging in sports, exercise, and other activities.
Literally chilling you out, cryotherapy has been found to promote a deeper and more relaxed state of mind, resulting in improved sleep. Helping to overcome the negative effects of stress and disease, cryotherapy also relieves the pain and discomfort that often stops people from sleeping well. In addition, it has been demonstrated to minimize excessive body movements that frequently result in restless sleep.
The sudden, extreme drop in temperature from cryotherapy causes our bodies to release mood-lifting endorphins, mimicking the natural high that results from exercise. Most users report a sense of euphoria post-treatment, enabling them to shake off anxiety and depression more easily. This surge of positivity extends well past the session, helping people to effectively cope with the stressors of everyday life.
Demonstrated to reduce fatigue in professional athletes, cryotherapy is often employed for a diverse array of medical applications where exhaustion is a troublesome component. Although the exact mechanisms remain unclear, it is thought that the enhancement of blood circulation combined with anti-inflammatory pain relief and the reduction of oxidative stress all contribute to improved mental and physical health and functionality.
Studies show cryotherapy is effective at alleviating the stress and tension that often inhibits energy and alertness, with most study participants saying they felt clear-headed and energetic following a variety of cold therapy treatments. Researchers hypothesize that this works through the release of endorphins, with whole-body cryotherapy found to enhance not just physical, but also psychological recovery.
The cost of cryotherapy is dependent on what type of device you use and whether you’re looking for cryotherapy at home or seeking sessions at a clinic. Cryotherapy machines bring a wide range of $8,000 to $50,000 in purchase prices conditional to each system’s level of specific features and design.
A cost-effetive alternative is cold compression therapy machines that can range from less than $200 to more elaborate professional systems that cost upwards of $2,500.
Yes, cryotherapy really works according to constantly emerging studies and a plethora of anecdotal evidence. People from all walks of life are finding positive outcomes from this unique therapy, reaping the many health benefits it provides.
Although ice baths are similar to whole-body cryotherapy, there are some differences. Ice baths do not get as cold as cryotherapy; ice baths vary in temperature from 45 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit while cryotherapy chambers and cryosaunas use cold air that ranges from -200 to -300 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though they can both be effective, cryotherapy is much more comfortable as sessions only take 1 to 5 minutes as opposed to ice baths which can take as long as 20 minutes to achieve optimal therapy results.
In more recent times, the terms cryotherapy and cold therapy have become synonymous, but cryotherapy is technically just one type of cold therapy. Encompassing ice baths/massage, topical creams, coolant sprays, cold compression, and ice packs, cold therapy is one of the best-known and oldest ways to combat pain and inflammation. Typically in the form of a sauna or chamber, cryotherapy utilizes colder temperatures than these other cold therapy formats, optimizing healing and recovery in shorter amounts of time.
Cryotherapy has been found to be absolutely safe when it’s applied under the supervision of knowledgeable personnel and all of the procedures are conducted following precise rules. Like any medical treatment, cryotherapy comes with standard safety procedures and is contraindicated in certain situations. Be sure to consult with your doctor before using this therapy, whether you’re doing cryotherapy at home or at a clinic.
No, cryotherapy is not a hoax. Even though some of the cryotherapy’s reported benefits remain anecdotal and unproven, ongoing research continues to demonstrate that cryotherapy does offer real, discernible health advantages and the promise of effective treatment for an expanding assortment of health conditions. Recent studies suggest that whole-body cryotherapy could positively influence antioxidant capacity, inflammatory mediators, and autonomic function following athletic activity and exercise.
Yes, cryotherapy can be done within the comfort of your own home with state-of-the-art cryotherapy machines in the form of Whole Body Cryotherapy Machines, cryosaunas, and Localized Cryotherapy Machines! Specially designed to optimize safety whether they’re used for cryotherapy at home or in a clinical setting, these units have also been configured for easy operation.
Exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for very short periods of time offers a number of benefits that promote optimal health. Previous and ongoing research continues to demonstrate the efficacy of cryotherapy for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, two of the most important factors involved with defying disease and poor health.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about cold therapy, and we invite you to check out our comprehensive selection of cryotherapy machines and cold compression therapy devices.
Interested in learning more? Check out all Cryotherapy articles for everything you need to know! You’ll also find a wealth of helpful, informative articles, on our Caregiver University blog. You can learn about similar topics, such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Light Therapy.
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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