Cryotherapy, which translates as “cold therapy,” is a procedure that involves exposing the body to incredibly cold temperatures for a couple of minutes.
Cryotherapy can be used to treat a specific area, or you can have whole body cryotherapy San Diego. Localized cryotherapy could be provided by using coolant sprays, ice baths, ice packs, ice massage, or even probes inserted into the tissue.
Full body cryotherapy is based on the notion that a wide range of health benefits may be obtained by putting your body in extremely cold temperature for a couple of minutes. The person may stay in a confined chamber or a compact enclosure that completely surrounds them but has a hole at the top for their head. The temperature inside the enclosure would drop to between – 200 and 300°F. They will spend between two to four minutes in the ultra-cold temperature.
While cryotherapy can be beneficial after just one session, it is most beneficial if used regularly. Full body cryotherapy is even used twice daily by some athletes. Others will visit every day for ten days, and after that, they will book a session once every month.
Benefits You Can Get With Full Body Cryotherapy
Minimize migraine symptoms
Cryotherapy could help cure migraines by numbing and cooling nerves in the neck area. According to research, wearing a neck wrap with two cold ice packs and putting it to the carotid arteries in the neck area can greatly reduce migraine symptoms. It is hypothesized that this operates by cooling the blood traveling via intracranial arteries. The carotid arteries are close to the skin surface and are easily accessible.
Numbs nerve discomfort
Over the years, numerous athletes have been utilizing full body cryotherapy to treat sustained injuries, and part of the reason why is because it can numb the pain. The cold could truly numb the irritated nerve. Physicians would treat the damaged area with a tiny probe placed into the adjacent tissue. This could help cure neuromas or pinched nerves, persistent pain, or even severe trauma.
Helps manage mood disorders
The ultra-cold temperatures of full body cryotherapy might elicit physiological hormonal responses. This involves the production of adrenaline, endorphins, and noradrenaline. This could positively influence people battling mood disorders, including anxiety and despair. According to experts, full body cryotherapy was proven beneficial in short-term treatment.
Effective in relieving arthritic pain
Localized cryotherapy is not the sole therapeutic option for serious illnesses; one study discovered that full body cryotherapy greatly reduced pain in persons with rheumatoid arthritis. They discovered that the procedure was well tolerated. As a result, it enabled more intensive physiotherapy and occupational treatment. This subsequently increased the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments.
May aid in the treatment of low-risk tumors
Cryotherapy that is targeted and localized can be utilized to treat cancer. It is referred to as “cryosurgery” in this context. It operates by freezing and encasing cancer cells in ice crystals. It is now being utilized to treat specific forms of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, in patients with low-risk malignancies.
Could aid in the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
While research is ongoing to determine the efficacy of this method, it is hypothesized that full body cryotherapy can help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It is believed that this may be a beneficial treatment because cryotherapy’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help counteract the inflammatory as well as oxidative stress responses associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Atopic dermatitis and various skin diseases could be treated
Atopic dermatitis is a recurrent inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin. Because cryotherapy could enhance antioxidant levels in the blood as well as concurrently lessen inflammation, it stands to reason that both localized and full body cryotherapy could effectively cure atopic dermatitis.
The Dangers And Adverse Effects
- Redness, irritation, numbness, and tingling of the skin are the most typical side effects of cryotherapy. These adverse reactions are nearly always just temporary. Consult your physician if they do not subside within 24 hours.
- You should not utilize cryotherapy for an extended period of time than is advised for the type of therapy you are taking. Typically, a session for full body cryotherapy would usually take four minutes or more.
If you are at home and using an ice pack or an ice bath, you must avoid putting ice for more than 20 minutes to the specific spot of your body. To avoid damaging your skin, wrap the ice packs with a towel.
- Cryotherapy should not be used by those who have diabetes or any other ailment that affects their nerves. They might not be able to feel its full effect, which could result in more nerve damage.
Tips and Recommendations
If you wish to treat any conditions with cryotherapy, you should consult the experts or physicians who can give you proper and correct treatment to avoid any danger. It is always prudent to visit your physician prior to beginning any form of therapy.
Use dry, loose-fitting clothing if you are doing full body cryotherapy. Bring warm gloves and socks to avoid frostbite. Move around as much as possible throughout therapy to keep the circulation of your blood.
If you are having cryosurgery, the physician will discuss special pre-operative preparations with you. This may include abstaining from food and drink for 12 hours prior to the procedure.
Other Types of Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy for the entire body is not a medical procedure. However, there are other forms of cryotherapy that are both safe and effective. Doctors can use liquid nitrogen to administer intense cold to aberrant tissue in order to freeze and eliminate it. This is a frequently used procedure to treat skin disorders, including warts, skin tags, and moles.
Cryotherapy could also be a cure for some cancers. It is capable of destroying small sections of unhealthy cells in the body. Typically, this is a non-invasive technique that does not involve surgery. Cryotherapy is used by physicians to address the following conditions:
- Bone cancer
- Precancerous cells on the cervix or Cervical cancer
- Liver cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Retinoblastoma, a type of pediatric retinal cancer
As mentioned above, if you are planning to undergo full body cryotherapy, you should consult your physician. Everyone is at risk when exposed to extremely cold temperatures. If you have pre-existing medical problems, the therapy might not be suitable for you.
