Elsa may have been on to something when she ran off to the frozen tundra for her personal health. Cryotherapy, also known as "cold therapy," has been gaining hype across social platforms lately for its touted anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting properties. In this blog, we will explore what cryotherapy is, its benefits, and whether it works.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to cold temperatures for several minutes and is usually also paired with sauna exposure. Touted for its anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting properties, cryotherapy can help you support your overall health.
Cryotherapy can be practiced in a few different ways, including ice massages, ice baths and cold plunges, and cold air chambers. Whole body cryotherapy chambers consist of standing in an enclosed space that exposes your body from head to toe to temperatures that drop between negative 200°—300°F. You’ll usually only stay here for two to four minutes before jumping back out.
Does Cryotherapy Work?
Like any wellness practice, you’ll see the best results and take full advantage of the benefits of cryotherapy when you use this method regularly.
Migraine Relief
Cryotherapy can help mitigate migraines by cooling the nerves in the neck and lowering the temperature of the blood passing through the intracranial vessels. Because the carotid arteries are close to the skin’s surface, this allows localized cryotherapy, like from ice packs, to easily reach and soothe them.
Numb Nerves
Cryotherapy is a popular treatment among athletes to treat injuries. After numbing the irritated area with cold therapy, doctors can then treat the injury with little discomfort on the patient’s part. This also reduces inflammation in the body and allows the trouble area to be more accessible to treatment.
Mood-boosting
Cold temperatures also prompt physiological hormonal responses, including the production of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and endorphins. Studies have shown cold therapy—even a daily cold shower—to have a positive effect on those experiencing anxiety and depression.
Arthritis Relief
Whole-body cryotherapy is also an effective method for treating pain, particularly arthritis. Studies found that coupling cryotherapy with physiotherapy and occupational therapy even made rehabilitation programs more effective.
Skin Treatment
Cryotherapy’s anti-inflammatory benefits also boost antioxidant capacity in the blood, making it an effective method for treating skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, which is caused by inflammation. Another study even found that it was even effective in treating acne.
Research is still ongoing about the benefits of whole-body cryotherapy, but there is plenty of anecdotal and peer-reviewed research available to support that this lifestyle practice is an effective one for our overall wellbeing.
So go ahead, let it all go, and embrace the chilling benefits of cryotherapy for your health and wellness.
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