Cryotherapy is getting a lot of talk lately. How it works, health benefits, potential risks, we tell you about this new practice.
What is cryotherapy?
If you follow the news of athletes on social networks, you have inevitably come across a video of an athlete, their body enclosed in a large box with white smoke caressing their face. Congratulations, you now know what a cryotherapy session looks like! If you feel like trying this practice, read the following article. Functioning, benefits, risks, rates, you will know absolutely everything about cryotherapy.
How does it work?
Cryotherapy is an intense cold treatment that takes place in a cryotherapy cabin or chamber. This is far from just a simple cold shower, as the body is subjected to extreme temperatures reaching -110° (up to -160°).
These very low temperatures are achieved by spraying nitrogen on the body. But, don’t panic: a cryotherapy session does not exceed 2 or 3 minutes, so there’s no risk of hypothermia!
During your session, your external temperature drops from 34 to 5°, and your internal temperature drops to zero. As a result, your blood pressure increases, your blood vessels retract and then dilate upon leaving the cabin, causing a massive influx into your tissues. A real shock to the body, but far from harming it.
The Proven Benefits of Cryotherapy
The steak on the bruises of a boxer, the miracle cure after a painful shock in football, the active cold ointments… We have all, at least once, experienced the benefits of cold on pain. But, according to scientists, the advantages of cryotherapy go much further, as we will see now.
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A plus for recovery
First benefit of cryotherapy, it allows you to recover much faster after sports. The chronic fatigue after a competition, muscle soreness and other problems related to an excess of physical activity are, indeed, virtually erased after a cryo session.
Help for healing pains and injuries
Cryotherapy also has a effect on the speed of healing of injuries. But it must be part of a complete rehabilitation program.
On the other hand, even on its own, it greatly promotes the healing of pain related to issues of tendonitis, strain and sprain. The same goes for chronic pain (rheumatism, arthritis) reduced thanks to the anti-inflammatory molecules that the body releases following a session.
Cryotherapy for weight loss?
Extreme cold has a direct impact on fat cells. According to recent studies, it could eliminate these by promoting their apoptosis (the self-destruction of cells following a suitable stimulus).
To be truly effective, cryogenic treatment must be localized. But it’s not a miracle cure that will make you lose your excess weight.
Better overall health
Following a cryotherapy session, the body (and particularly the hypothalamus) releases endorphins. These molecules, associated with pleasure and well-being, have a positive impact on your stress, your tiredness, and your general mood.
The potential risks of cryotherapy
There is no universal remedy, and cryotherapy is no exception to this rule. While it is beneficial for most people, it nevertheless causes varying degrees of health problems in others, such as:
- a loss of consciousness due to anoxia (insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood);
- localized burns due to an overly extended session;
- headaches;
- The appearance of chronic hives.
In all cases, a full body cryotherapy treatment is not recommended for people with vascular problems, hypertension, pregnant women, people with a history of stroke, epileptics…
What is the cost of a cryotherapy session?
For a whole body cryotherapy session, expect to pay 30 to 50 euros for 2 to 3 minutes of immersion. While this may seem expensive per minute, remember that it’s the results that matter. It’s therefore better to spend some time in the cabin, than an hour at the physiotherapist’s for the same effects.
As for the cryotherapy cabin, it costs 20 to 40,000 euros, not including delivery and maintenance. So, unless you want to open a cryotherapy office in your garage to make it profitable, it’s better to pay for a session from time to time. If you’re an athlete, and not part of the at-risk population, try a session. That way, you’ll know if the benefits are noticeable for you.
Wim Hof Method: the cold is good for you
Wim Hof Method: the cold is good for you
Wim Hof Method: the cold is good for you
Wim Hof Method: the cold is good for you
Wim Hof Method: the cold is good for you