Known as “cold treatment,” Cryotherapy is a procedure in which the body is subjected to extremely low temperatures for a prolonged period of time.
When undergoing cryotherapy, this can be applied either to a single location or the whole body, depending on your preference. There are a lot of methods that are available in administering localized cryotherapy and this includes the use of ice packs, ice massage, coolant sprays, ice baths, including probes that are inserted into the affected area.
The notion that the submersion of the body in incredibly cold air for a number of minutes can be very advantageous is what made whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exist. During the procedure, the subject will stand in an enclosed chamber or a tiny enclosure that completely surrounds their body but includes an aperture at the top for their head. Negative 200–300 degrees Fahrenheit will be reached in the enclosed space. Depending on the temperature, they’ll be in the ultra-low temperature air for two to four minutes.
If you are going to do cryotherapy in just one session, you will still be able to receive benefits from it but, if you want to maximize the effects of cryotherapy, having it on a regular basis is highly recommended. Cryotherapy is used twice a day by certain sportsmen. Alternatively, some people will attend every day for 10 days and then once a month after that.
Top Benefits of cryotherapy
1. It helps to ease the symptoms of migraines
When it comes to treating migraines, cryotherapy can be beneficial because it cools and numbs nerves in the neck region. One way of substantially reducing the pains brought about by migraine is through the application of a neck wrap with two frozen packs to the carotid arteries in the neck. It is hypothesized that this works by lowering the temperature of blood flowing through intracranial veins. Despite being located close to the skin’s surface, the carotid arteries are easily accessible.
2. Nerve discomfort is relieved.
Cryotherapy has been used to treat injuries by many sportsmen for many years, and among the reasons for this is that it has the ability to dull pain. An inflamed nerve can be numbed by a cold, according to research. With a little probe that is placed into surrounding tissue, doctors will be able to treat the damaged area more effectively. This can be used to treat pinched nerves or neuromas, as well as chronic pain and even acute traumas and injuries.
3. Cryotherapy helps in aiding the treatment of mood disorders.
Whole-body cryotherapy might elicit physiological hormonal reactions as a result of the extremely low temperatures used. This involves the secretion of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and endorphins, among other substances, and with this, it provides for a beneficial effect on people who are suffering from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. According to one study, whole-body cryotherapy was indeed useful in the short-term treatment of both types of cancer.
4. Reduces the discomfort associated with arthritis.
Persons with serious diseases can benefit from a variety of treatments, not just localized cryotherapy. For example, one research revealed that whole-body cryotherapy greatly decreased the amount of pain experienced by people with arthritis. The researchers discovered that the therapy was well-tolerated, and it made it possible to use more severe physiotherapy and occupational therapy techniques as a result of this. In the end, this increased the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.
5. It may be beneficial in the treatment of low-risk cancers.
Cryotherapy that is targeted and localized can be utilized as a cancer treatment. It is referred to as “cryosurgery” in this context and this works by freezing cancer cells and encircling them with ice crystals to prevent them from spreading. Current research is focusing on using it to treat some low-risk tumors associated with specific forms of cancer, and this also includes prostate cancer.
6. The occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer’s
According to a certain study, there is speculation that whole-body cryotherapy may be useful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, while additional study is needed to determine its effectiveness. As a result of the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of cryotherapy, it is believed to be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Cryotherapy has been shown to help battle the inflammatory and oxidative response to stress that happens in Alzheimer’s patients.
7. Atopic dermatitis as well as other skin problems are treated with this medication.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin as its hallmark symptoms, as well as other signs and symptoms and because cryotherapy has been shown to increase antioxidant levels, it may lower inflammation in the blood while also reducing it locally, it seems logical that both localized as well as the whole cryotherapy can be used to treat atopic dermatitis. Another study that was conducted on mice looked at the effects of the drug on acne by targeting the sebaceous glands.
Cryotherapy: Its risks and negative effects
Any form of cryotherapy can cause skin irritation and numbness, tingling, and redness, which are the most prevalent adverse effects. The majority of the time, these adverse effects are rather brief and if the symptoms did not improve within 24 hours, then it is recommended that you consult with a doctor.
Cryotherapy should never be used for a period of time that exceeds the time frame prescribed by your treatment approach. You must never apply ice to the affected region for more than 20 minutes at a time whether you’re using an ice pack or an ice bath at home and in order to avoid damaging your skin, wrap ice packs in a towel.
Cryotherapy should not be used by those who have diabetes or any other medical problems that impair their nerves because this can result in more nerve damage since they may not be able to experience the full impact of the drug.
Cryotherapy tips and recommendations
If you have any medical issues that you would like to address with cryotherapy, please be sure to talk with the person who will be aiding you or providing your cryotherapy treatment first.
Clothing should be dry and loose-fitting if you are undergoing total body cryotherapy treatment. To avoid frostbite, make sure you bring socks and gloves. Keep moving about throughout therapy if at all feasible to ensure that your blood flow is not interrupted.
You will be given particular instructions by your doctor prior to having cryosurgery performed on you. This may entail abstaining from food and drink for 12 hours before the exam.
