Seven Benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy

Seven Benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy

Milena Perkins

Milena Perkins

Owner, Nola Cryo ​

Cryo is a Greek word meaning “cold”.  Cryotherapy is a form of treatment involving the application of cold temperatures to the body.  Whole-body cryotherapy consists of immersing the entire body in a cold chamber for two to three minutes in temperatures as low as -110°c to -160°c.  

Cryotherapy was first used in Japan in the early ’70s, where a rheumatologist used it to manage arthritic pain. He realized that the exposure of the skin surface to low temperatures triggered the release of endorphins that reduced pain and inflammation. Following his discovery, cryotherapy chambers were constructed in Asia and Europe to provide therapy to patients who had chronic inflammatory diseases. 

When cryotherapy was first introduced, it was only used to treat specific areas such as painful joints. Now, this form of therapy not only is common among athletes, it also become an effective treatment for many illnesses and medical conditions.

Here are seven benefits of whole-body cryotherapy.

  1. Reduces inflammation

Once you enter the cryotherapy chamber, your body will trigger a release of anti-inflammatory proteins, i.e., the cytokines IL-1ra, IL-10, and IL-6. Similarly, the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins reduce. The reduction in pro-inflammation proteins coupled with the restricted flow of blood help reduces inflammation that is caused by exercise. Additionally, athletes going through whole body cryotherapy can resume high-intensity workouts that usually require an extended period of recovery.

  1. Pain relief and muscle healing

Cryotherapy can help with muscle pain, as well as some joint and muscle disorders, such as arthritis. It may also promote faster healing of athletic injuries.

  1. Aids in Recovery after Exercise

Cryotherapy aids in muscle healing and recovery, letting athletes resume exercise within a short period. This is achieved by increasing the levels of oxygenated blood to the aching body parts while reducing the heart rate. The athletes also enjoy better sleep patterns, improved exercise capacity, and less fatigue. 

  1. Weight Loss

Although Cryotherapy alone will not cause weight loss, it does support the process. In theory, being cold forces the body to work harder to stay warm. Also, because cryotherapy helps with muscle pain, it makes it easier for someone to get back to a fitness routine following an injury. 

  1. Reduces Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

The disease causes the degeneration of nerve cells of the spine and brain and is characterized by numbness, blurred vision, impaired muscular and speech coordination, and severe fatigue.  Cryotherapy reduces multiple sclerosis symptoms by targeting and strengthening the immune system to enable the body to respond to the disease appropriately. Studies show patients who have gone through this therapy have reported:

  • Relief from all the symptoms
  • Reduced fatigue
  • Reduced spasms
  • Reduced pain
  • Increased mental and physical activity
  1. Preventing dementia

Because cryotherapy is effective in reducing inflammation, studies show that it may also assist in reducing the inflammation and oxidative stress associated with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and other age-related forms of cognitive decline. 

7. Preventing and treating cancer

Although currently there is no evidence that cryotherapy can treat cancer once the disease has developed, medical cryotherapy is a well-established treatment for certain forms of cancer.

Want to find out more about the benefits of cryotherapy? Come by Nola Cryo for a tour of our facility and a free consultation regarding your total body transformation. Call us today to schedule your appointment at 504-533-9021.