Whole Body Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy was first developed by Dr. Yamaguchi in Japan in 1978. Dr. Yamaguchi treated pain and rheumatoid arthritis using freezing treatments in a short duration on the surface of the skin. Yamaguchi found that the rapid decrease in temperature on the outer layer of skin led to a sudden release of endorphins and decreased pain sensitivity. Further research led to the development of full cryogenic chambers. More research in Europe and in Soviet Russia found that Cryotherapy was a great form of physical therapy, and soon took a role in the training regimens of elite athletes all over the world

Cryotherapy is the process of exposing the body to hyper-cooled air -150°F to -240°F, triggering the body’s natural healing mechanisms as though it were freezing. Blood will accumulate in the body’s core in order to become warm, and your capillaries will expand to approximately 4 times their normal diameter. White blood cells will flow through your body faster, accelerating the healing process by up to 50%. Your brain will trigger a release of endorphins, adrenaline, and other hormones into your body. During this 2-3 minute process, the brain stimulates the body’s organ regulatory functions resulting in energy increase, cell rejuvenation, immune system boost, and overall system self-healing.

Whole Body and Localized Cryotherapy are used to help relieve chronic pain, decrease inflammation, speed recovery time, increase athletic performance, and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness. Whole Body Cryotherapy treatments are beneficial for everyday health, wellness, and beauty benefits. Since the outer layer of skin is lowered, capillaries and blood vessels undergo vasoconstriction, immediately followed by vasodilation. This causes the body to release toxins and feel-good endorphins. The skin’s exposure to extreme cold also causes the body to increase its metabolic rate, burning between 500 to 800 calories. Some additional benefits include: pain relief from chronic medical conditions, increased circulation throughout your body, treatment of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. This cutting-edge treatment assists with the clearing of skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne, reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and tighter, more youthful-looking skin.

Before entering the Cryo Chamber for the first time, our trained staff will walk you through the process step by step so you know exactly what to expect. While using the Cryo Chamber your extremities will be protected by gloves, socks, and slippers. Women can choose whether to remove or wear undergarments; men are required to wear cotton underwear for protection. The session will last between 1-3 minutes. During this time your core body temperature will not change. Because the air does not contain any moisture, you will feel chilled but not uncomfortably cold. Your skin temperature will drop to an average of 50° F during the session but will increase back to normal within a few minutes of the session’s conclusion.

Yes. Whole Body Cryotherapy uses cold air and the cooling agents never actually come into contact with your skin. The air is chilled using liquid nitrogen, and nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breathe. Because the temperature change to your body is only superficial, your internal body temperature remains constant throughout treatment. Your head is always kept outside of the low-temperature area.

The Cryosauna is equipped with a number of safety features. While the door closes, it never locks, so you are in full control of your environment. A trained operator is always present to ensure your maximum safety. In addition, the room is equipped with oxygen sensors and proper ventilation systems to ensure optimal air quality. Our staff is fully trained to make sure you experience both ultimate healing and ultimate safety.

Cryotherapy is very well tolerated and has minimal risks. Systolic blood pressure during the procedure can increase by 10 points but will reverse after the procedure as peripheral circulation returns to normal. Allergic reactions to extreme cold (chilblain), claustrophobia, anxiety are rare. Activation of some viral conditions (cold sores, etc.) due to stimulation of the immune system can occur. Protective clothing (socks, gloves, undergarments) must be dry in order to avoid chilblain.

The following conditions are contraindications to Whole Body Cryotherapy: Pregnancy, 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, severe Raynaud’s Syndrome, fever, tumor disease, symptomatic lung disorders, bleeding disorders, severe anemia, infection, cold-allergy, acute kidney, and urinary tract diseases. Children under 18 must have parental consent and have a parent present during treatment.

Absolutely. The Cryo Chamber is open at the top so the client’s head is completely exposed and the client is in constant communication with the technician during the entire Cryotherapy treatment process. The door is never locked and the client can exit the cryo chamber at any time if they feel any distress or discomfort.

The results and benefits seen from Cryotherapy are not seen in the application of an ice bath. After 15 minutes in the extremely unbearable coldness of an ice bath, the body’s surface temperature does not even reach freezing whereas during Cryotherapy the skin temperature can get to below freezing in just 2 to 3 minutes. This cooling below-freezing temperatures is what triggers the system response of the brain and central nervous system and is absolutely necessary in obtaining the benefits of cryotherapy.

Absolutely not. Nitrogen gas is a non-toxic natural gas. The atmosphere that we breathe is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 2% other elements. Nitrogen gas is utilized in Cryotherapy for its stable properties at very low temperatures.

No. The immediate cold impact of the cryotherapy will raise the internal body temperature for a short period of time. The stimulation of the immune system can help decrease the severity and frequency of future colds.

Showering is not necessary before or after cryotherapy. The entire procedure is dry and does not make your skin wet. Many clients come by during their lunch break since the entire treatment is only 3 minutes long. We can accommodate your specific scheduling request.

Yes. It is recommended that you work out before getting a cryotherapy treatment because you can obtain great muscle and joint recovery due to the anti-inflammatory benefits of cryotherapy. If you choose to work out after your cryotherapy treatment you can expect a higher pain tolerance, more energy, more range of motion, great flexibility, and higher abilities in general.

For best results, it is recommended that clients get Cryotherapy 2 to 3 times per week. It is safe to do up to 2 cryotherapy treatments per day but is only recommended for those in heavy training or rehabilitation.

During each cryotherapy treatment, the body releases endorphins, which supply your body with a natural source of energy and invigoration. This endorphin energy will last 6 to 8 hours after the session. Like any new regimen, consistency is important to achieve the most beneficial results possible. Cryotherapy effectively decreases pain and increases ability. You will also burn 500 to 800 calories per treatment due to the sharp increase in metabolism.