Who Developed Whole Body Cryotherapy?

Whole Body Cryotherapy was originally developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.   It has been researched and refined in Europe over the past two decades.  Sports, Health and Spa professionals in U.S. have discovered then benefits of whole body cryotherapy. Research into extreme cold therapy began in 1978 by Dr. T. Yamauchi, a rheumatologist in Japan.  He started using freezing treatments of short duration on his rheumatoid arthritis patients’ skin surface for pain management purposes.  He concluded that rapid short-term freezing of the skin’s surface led to immediate release of endorphins and is more effective than gradual cooling in an ice bath.  Further research conducted over the last two decades in Europe has established WBC as a powerful treatment for inflammatory disorders and injuries

Is Whole Body Cryotherapy a Proven Treatment for Recovery and Health?

Yes, Cryotherapy has been used in Europe and Asia for almost thirty years.  There are numerous clinical studies and many are listed at www.wholebodycryotherapy.org in the About Tab – Clinical Studies

How Does the Client Feel Immediately After a Whole Body Cryotherapy Session?

Whole Body Cryotherapy stimulates the body to release endorphins; the hormones that make us feel good and energetic.  The buoyant effects from each session typically last for six to eight hours.   Many clients report improvements in their sleep quality after cryotherapy

Can the Client Catch a Cold from Cryotherapy?

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

Who Should Not Use Whole Body Cryotherapy?

The following conditions are contraindications for Whole Body Cryotherapy: Pregnancy, severe hypertension (BP > 180/100), hypothyroidism, acute or recent myocardial infarction (heart attack: need to be cleared for exercise), narrowing of valves, crescent-shaped aorta and mitral valve, unstable angina pectoris, arrhythmia, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, cardiac pacemaker, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, venous thrombosis, acute or recent cerebrovascular accident (stroke: must be cleared for exercise), uncontrolled seizures, Raynaud’s syndrome, fever, tumor disease, symptomatic lung disorders, bleeding disorders, severe anemia, infection, claustrophobia, cold allergy, acute kidney and urinary tract diseases, incontinence, age less than 18 years (parental consent required)

How Many Treatments are Needed to Achieve Optimal Results?

Depending upon the condition being treated, we recommend an initial treatment plan of 10 treatments within 2 weeks.  After this initial loading period, maintenance treatments should be continued to optimize results. The frequency of maintenance treatments will be determined based on your personal goals and specific condition

What are the Risks of Whole Body Cryotherapy?

Whole Body Cryotherapy has minimal risks and is generally well tolerated.  The 3 main risks include Frostbite, increased blood pressure, and abrasions. To avoid this, it is very important to follow the recommended guidelines. To avoid frostbite, you must be completely dry and free of sweat on both skin and clothing. Fluctuations in blood pressure occur during the procedure by up to 10 points systolically (this reverses after the procedure as peripheral circulation returns to normal). It is not recommended for someone with uncontrolled high blood pressure to use whole body cryotherapy. To avoid abrasions caused by the liquid nitrogen, the user needs to rotate within the cryochamber. Other risks include allergic reaction to extreme cold (rare), claustrophobia, anxiety, shortness of breath due to the cold temperatures, lightheadedness (if inhaling too much nitrogen gas), activation of some viral conditions (cold sores, etc.) due to stimulation of the immune system.  Protective clothing (socks, gloves, undergarments) must be dry in order to avoid frostbite. Redness of skin, tingling/prickly/or itchy sensations on skin have also been reported

Is Exercise Recommended After the Cryotherapy Session?

Yes, an advantage of Whole Body Cryotherapy vs. ice bath treatments is that tissues and muscle are not frozen.  Ten minutes of light exercise post-cryotherapy will induce more rapid vasodilation of the vessels and capillaries, and extend the period of analgesia

How Many Sessions of Cryotherapy is Needed Before it Works?

Benefits will be experienced from your very first treatment. It is recommended to complete 10 sessions in 2 weeks for best results including a minimum of 4 consecutive treatments. Once the initial treatment is completed a maintenance regimen will be recommended based on the client’s specific goals. Some conditions may require a longer and more frequent treatment plan. Life style factors, the condition in need of treatment, mental attitude, and personal expectations will all factor into the proposed treatment plan. Results are not guaranteed

Do I Have to Stand Up?

Yes. This particular model of cryosauna (Impact Cryosauna) requires the individual to stand in order for the head to be outside the chamber

How Often Can I Do Cryotherapy?

It is safe to do every day if desired

What is Cryotherapy Good For?

Whole Body Cryotherapy was originally created to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, the growing list of benefits proves there is much more to the treatment than meets the eye. Other conditions that can be treated using Whole Body Cryotherapy include: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Lyme’s Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic and acute inflammation, Migraines, Post-surgical swelling, Muscle spasms, Sciatica, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Whiplash, Weight-loss, Skin rejuvenation, Increased collagen production, Reduction in the appearance of cellulite, Improved skin tone, Reduction or elimination of blemishes, Reparation of scar tissue, Tendonitis, Decreased swelling of injuries, Increased range of motion, Improved sports performance, Increased flexibility, Quicker post-surgical and/or injury recovery time, CrossFit Injuries, Tennis Elbow, Runners knee, Impingement Syndrome, Improved Sleep, Increased Energy, Improved mood, Decrease in symptoms of depression, Improved immune response, Improved circulation, Erectile Dysfunction, Overall feeling of well-being. For more information on the benefits, please reference www.wholebodycryotherapy.org

How Long is a Standard Cryotherapy Session?

The maximum session is 3 minutes. Treatments are administered in a progression beginning at 1-1 ½ minutes up to the full 3 minutes. This allows the body to become accustomed to the cold and also to help determine the individual’s level of toleration

How Can I Tolerate Such Cold Cryotherapy Temperatures?

Remember, just as dry heat is more tolerable than humid heat, the same is true for the cold. There is absolutely no moisture and so the extreme cold temperatures are quite tolerable (even for someone who considers themselves to be cold intolerant.) The session only lasts 3 minutes maximum; so by the time your body begins to feel very cold and possibly starts to shiver, the session is over. If at any point in the treatment, the cold is too much to bear, the machine can be shut down upon the user’s request