Cryotherapy: How Cold Exposure Helps in Wellness and Recovery

Introduction

Struggling with sore muscles?

We all want to continue crushing it at the gym, chasing our kids or fur kids around, or simply managing everyday aches and pains. But with the internet currently flooded with health optimization and recovery strategies, how do you know which one is right for you?

If you’re tired of searching for ways to feel better, move easier, and recover faster, cryotherapy might be the game-changer you need–in just 3 minutes!

In this article, we will walk you through cryotherapy, how it works, its benefits, and how you can make it part of your routine.

What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses extreme cold for athletic, medical, and cosmetic purposes. It can treat both internal (within the body) and external (on the skin) tissue.

History of Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy dates back to the early Egyptian and Greek civilizations. Ancient people used cold to treat different injuries and inflammation. It has become popularly studied since then. Over time, how cold temperature has been applied to the human body has remained largely unchanged, with the application of ice, cold-air, and cold-water maintaining popularity.

In the 1800s to 1900s, healthcare providers began to use whole-body cold therapy with ice baths. The first whole-body Cryotherapy (WBC) chambers were built in Japan around 1978 to treat rheumatoid arthritis and general pain management.

In recent times, a new method called partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) using a portable cryotherapy cabin has also gained popularity among the general public. This system has an open tank and exposes the body, except the head and neck, to similar extreme cold air temperatures. PBC has been widely adopted due to its proposed benefits for beauty treatments, such as skin care improvements, and recreational athletics for recovery after exercise.

Types of Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy can be done in different ways depending on the condition to be treated.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC)

Whole-body cryotherapy uses a chamber to expose your entire body to temperatures between -100 to -160 degrees Celsius for 2 to 4 minutes for quicker muscle recovery. It's not just for athletes—everyday users turn to WBC to boost their mood and relieve chronic pain, including arthritis.

Partial Body Cryotherapy (PBC)

Partial-body cryotherapy uses a cryo cannon, wand, or air devices to target specific muscles or joints afflicted by soreness or injuries. It exposes the body to -30 to -60 degree Celsius to decrease inflammation and ease pain in areas such as the knees, elbows, and back. Unlike the WBC, the PBC is much more effective for specific body areas.

Cryotherapy Facials

Cryotherapy facials or cryofacials are less invasive and harmful versions of chemical peels and microdermabrasion. The procedure applies cold air or liquid nitrogen to the face for 2 to 3 minutes to facilitate an even skin complexion. Cryofacials are also known to treat puffiness and tighten skin.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a medical procedure that involves freezing and obliterating unwanted tissues like warts, tumors, or cancerous skin lesions. Healthcare professionals apply liquid nitrogen or use a cryoprobe, a chilled instrument used to freeze tissues. It is commonly referred to as cryoablation.

How Cryotherapy Works: The Science Behind It

Before trying cryotherapy, it is important to understand how it works on the body. Experts use the term “Lewis Hunting Reaction” to describe this process. It occurs when the body is submerged in extreme cold, causing blood vessels in the outer areas to constrict—a process known as vasoconstriction—to protect vital organs. This process helps nourish and oxygenate the body. After some time, as you warm up, your blood vessels reopen, allowing enriched blood to flow back, aiding in inflammation reduction and recovery.

When exposed to extreme cold, muscles trigger the peripheral nervous system to release neurotransmitters like serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine—often referred to as “feel good” chemicals. Medical professionals view this as the body’s adaptive response to cold, which enhances mood and overall well-being, making cryotherapy a compelling recovery method..

Cryotherapy is also believed to aid in overweight problems by activating a part of the body called brown adipose tissue. Your body tends to burn a significant amount of calories when exposed to subzero temperatures, to increase heat. There are some claims that long term cold exposure has the ability to help the body shed unwanted fat.

Benefits of Cryotherapy

From the onset of cryotherapy, it was mostly employed in the field of sports medicine and showed potential in combating inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Here are other benefits that can potentially be attained through cryotherapy:

1. The procedure is effective in removing skin tags, warts, verrucas, and seborrheic keratosis.
2. Cryosurgery can help in the treatment of various forms of skin cancer, retinoblastoma, liver and prostate cancers in their initial stages, bone cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.
3. Cryotherapy causes a reduction in muscle soreness and expedites recovery after physical exercises.
4. Whole-body cryotherapy has been associated with improved positivity, enhanced quality of life, and lesser symptoms of depression.
5. Soaking eyes with ice water helps in subduing the pain of migraines.
6. Athletes have conventionally used cryotherapy for faster injury rehabilitation and pain relief.
7. Cryotherapy increases the levels of antioxidants in the body and reduces inflammation.
8. The combination of cryotherapy, exercise, and a healthy diet has proven effective for weight loss and reduction in cholesterol levels.
9. Cryotherapy is also used to lift the skin to make it tighter and look healthier and plumper.

Is Cryotherapy for You?

Most people do not need to make any specific preparations for cryotherapy. Your healthcare provider will instruct you accordingly. However, there are several risks and considerations to consider before thinking about cryotherapy treatment.

Risks of Cryotherapy

For safety, you should talk to your healthcare provider about cryotherapy. While it is generally safe, it is not for everybody. Exposing your skin and other tissues to extremely cold temperatures can lead to:

• Rashes
• Frostbite
• Swellling
• Skin discoloration
• Pus
• Unexplained fever
• Cerebral bleeding
• Discomfort and dizziness
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Urticaria or hives
• Sudden and temporary loss of memory

Even though cryotherapy treatments are short, they may be too harsh for certain people. Acute exposure to a cold environment, whether air or water, leads to a stress reaction and an unexpected rise in blood pressure.

Who Should Avoid Cryotherapy?

You should avoid cryotherapy if you have:

• Current medical issues, such as cardiovascular and respiratory system illnesses,
• Pregnancy,
• Allergy symptoms related to cold,
• An open wound, skin infections, or wound-healing problems, and
• Untreated high blood pressure.

How to Get Started with Cryotherapy

Your cryotherapy journey should always start with a registered, recognized center that has trained specialists and favorable evaluations.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Cryotherapy

A qualified clinic will look into your prior medical history and detail any safety measures that should be taken before your appointment. Get dressed in easy-to- protective gear such as gloves, socks, and shoes, along with minimal clothing. The facility should provide everything you need.

During the session, you'll be taken inside a cryochamber where a technician will control the temperature. When you do a whole-body cryotherapy (WBC), you will stand or sit in a fully enclosed chamber. If you prefer the partial-body cryotherapy (PBC), your head and neck will be outside the chamber. Cryotherapy sessions usually last two to four minutes, however your first session may be shorter.

There are no specific standards for how frequently you should perform cryotherapy. It usually relies on your objectives and any underlying issues you may have.

After a cryotherapy session, let your body warm up naturally. If you’ve had internal cryotherapy (used for medical treatments), you may experience mild soreness for a few days. Some people may need to limit activity temporarily, depending on the procedure. Your provider will guide you on when to resume normal activities.

Affordable and Proven Cryotherapy at Optimize U

If you are ready to start your cryotherapy journey, Optimize U has clinics in Louisville, Kentucky, run by licensed and trained healthcare professionals dedicated to your well-being.

Optimize U center is a network of clinics offering services to help individuals optimize their physical, mental, and sexual well-being through hormone replacement therapy, cryotherapy, infrared saunas, peptides and IV therapy, and other therapies.

Optimize U is managed by Jair Matis, a military veteran and now an Operations Manager and Athletic Recovery Consultant. Following his vision, Optimize U provides cost-effective solutions, clinical excellence, and better health management for all.

Client Testimonial

At Optimize U, the focus is on helping individuals reach their best health through personalized hormone therapy and advanced recovery solutions because “Normal Is Not Optimal.” Optimize U believes each treatment plan should be personalized to your medical history, lifestyle, and personal goals. The clinics provide a safe environment for clients to recover physically and mentally. Optimize U's team of seasoned healthcare experts is committed to providing compassionate and science-based care that prioritizes your long-term wellness.

Conclusion

Cryotherapy offers a lot of benefits for you, including fast recovery after exercise, pain relief, enhancing your mood, and even improving your skin health. It is easy to use, low cost, and safe for everyone. It can effectively reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling.

People are now adopting minimally invasive therapies. So, experience the benefits of cryotherapy firsthand!

Visit any Optimize U center and explore how cryotherapy can help you feel your best.