What is cryotherapy?
The origins of cryotherapy
Cold application therapymethods have been around since ancient times. At that time, ice water was applied as a local treatment to relieve inflammation. However, it was not until 1978 that the concept was extended, thanks to Professor Yamaguchi, a Japanese scientist who had the idea of applying this method on the whole body(1). The first cold room was built the same year.
The idea quickly spread to Europe, first to Germany where Professor Fricke improved the idea of his Japanese colleague by adding two airlocks, and then to the rest of the continent. This technique has not ceased to democratize since.
How does cryotherapy work?
This therapy subjects the body toextreme temperaturesbetween -140 and -160 degrees Celsius. We enter a special capsule that projects nitrogen to cool the space very quickly, and the body must then fight for several minutes against freezing cold. This thermal shock causes a rapid drop in body temperature, which leads to vasoconstriction of the vessels. This phenomenon has several positive effects, but this kind of therapy must be perfectly mastered to avoid accidents.
How does a session work?
Immersing your body in extreme temperatures is not reassuring, but specialists take all the necessary precautions. We start by making an inventory of your physical condition to check that you are not subject to hypertension, heart problems, kidney disease or circulatory problems. Cryotherapy is also not recommended during pregnancy. If you can, come with a recent medical certificate; It is not mandatory, but you will save a lot of time.
Once you have passed this step, you can undress in a locker room where you will also be given something to protect all the very sensitive parts of your body: the nose, mouth and extremities of the body. A capsule session lasts 4 minutes maximum, and it is possible to stop the session at any time in case of pain or discomfort too intense.
After the session, you will need a little recovery time to give your body time to warm up. The effects can be felt immediately but it is recommended to carry out several sessions for better efficiency.
The different forms
There are different forms of cold therapy.
Whole body cryotherapy
This is the technique that is most often found, it consists of entering the entire body into a Cryogenic Chambertag. The person is equipped with a swimsuit, a mask, an earmuff, gloves and warm socks and goes through two successive rooms before reachingthe most extreme temperatures .
Many centers choose this process because it has a reputation for being more effectivetag. In fact, the cooling of the body occurs more quickly when the head is also immersed in freezing conditions, and recovery is better.
Partial body cryotherapy
It is a system that can be found in more modest centers, but it is nonetheless effective. Unlike the first method, this one immerses the body in a capsule thatlets the head protrudetag. The effects are substantially the same, and this method allows adjunctive therapies.
Local Therapy
These sessions are mainly offered in aesthetic centers, and allow you to target specific parts of the body, in particular to reduce cellulitetag. Lymphatic drainage reduces the number of fat cells.
In the centres, suction cups are often used which cause a thermal shock. However, it is quite possible to prolong the effect at home usingcreams and gels that reproduce the effect of coldon localized areas. These cryotherapy creams havetargetedslimming properties.
What are the effects on the body?
Cryotherapy was used in the sports world for years before becoming more popular with the general public. And its positive effects continue to be proven.
Concretely, the thermal shock caused by this therapy causes several immediate effects on the body (2)
- drop in body temperature
- vasoconstriction and increased blood flow
- better oxygenation and faster elimination of waste
- acceleration of tissue repair
- Endocrine reactions: production of endorphins, also called “feel-good hormones”
- reduction of muscle soreness
The effects can be felt up to two hours after the end of a session. In addition, they are more and more effective over the weeks.
Why use cold therapy?
This technique can be used for several reasons, both physical and aesthetic.
For sport
On football pitches, players are often seen being treated with cooling sprays after a violent shock. The sudden temperature difference makes it possible to and plays ananti-inflammatory role. But in the sports field, this method is mainly used as a preventive measure to avoid sprains, tendonitis or muscle strains. Thanks to its action on the vascular system, cold also allows better resistance,improved performanceandfaster recoveryafter exercise.
For weight loss
This technique can be used to aid in Weight loss . To fight against the cold, the body must draw on its energy resources and burn hundreds of caloriesin a single session. But to be really effective, the sessions must be coupled withAnti-cellulite massages and above all with a balanced diet .
For the skin
In the field of dermatology, the best known use of cold is for the treatment of Wartstag. But many dermatological conditions can also be greatly relieved with regular sessions.Eczemaforexample, which is often aggravated by heat, can benefit from cold treatment. Same thing for psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
From a purely aesthetic point of view, the application of cold to the skin is also known to Smooth Out Wrinklesand reduce the signs of aging. An asset like any other for the beauty of the skin!
For general health
People who complain of chronic muscle pain or who are prone to rheumatism or arthritis have every interest in performing regular sessions to relieve inflammationand rheumatic pain that can quickly become unbearable. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the therapy on these pathologies(3) .
Thanks to the process of releasing endorphins, intense cold also has a very positive effect on stressin general. The feeling of well-being felt often lasts several hours after the end of a session. Regular sessions can really help to better manage periods of stress.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.