While there are many benefits of cryotherapy for use in PT or OT practice, there are a few risks associated with this treatment. Discover 5 cryotherapy side effects every therapist should know.
Cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy or ice treatment, is an application utilized to bring the body temperature down at the tissue and cellular level in order to achieve therapeutic benefits, but there are a few cryotherapy side effects that therapists should be aware of.
But, First… How to Provide Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy treatment options range from cold packs and ice or gel packs to cryotherapy machines or full-body cryotherapy chambers.
When planning cryotherapy treatment, there are several questions to ask before deciding on the type of cryotherapy and the treatment schedule:
- What are the goals of treatment? What expected benefits will this provide to the patient?
- What type of cryotherapy is financially realistic for the patient?
- How many treatment sessions can the patient attend? What is the patient’s schedule for current physical therapy treatment (three times per week, two times per week, etc.)? Can cryotherapy treatment coincide with the current PT or OT treatment schedule?
- Can the treatment be provided as part of a home exercise protocol?
- Does the patient have any contraindications to using cryotherapy (see below)?
Keep in mind that cryotherapy is most effective when it is used as a relatively continuous treatment, in conjunction with physical therapy, a home exercise program, or during physical activity (sports rehabilitation). Generally, 10 to 20 sessions of whole body cryotherapy are recommended to achieve optimum therapeutic benefits. But, the number of sessions depends on the severity of the condition (i.e. acute injury versus post-op versus chronic pain or sports recovery).
Localized Versus Whole Body Cold Therapy Treatments
Localized treatments are typically used for acute injury situations such as sprain/strain, tendonitis, edema, post-surgical pain, or fever. Localized treatments include the application of ice or gel packs, ice massage, or cryotherapy machines (for post-op) for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, several times per day, especially after physical therapy or exercise. Localized cold therapy affects the superficial tissues as soon as 5 minutes after application. However, it takes around 20 to 25 minutes of localized application in order to reach deeper tissues.
Whole body cryotherapy treatments are used in chronic conditions or to reduce muscle pain and fatigue in athletes. (Whole body cryotherapy is contraindicated in pregnancy. See further contraindications below.)
How Do Cryotherapy Chambers Work?
Whole body cryotherapy treatments involve exposing the entire body to an extremely code environment for five (or less) minutes. Most cryotherapy chambers (also called “cryosaunas” or “freeze labs”) use liquid nitrogen or an electrical system to achieve the -100 to -150 degrees F temperature, which lowers the patient’s skin temperature within a few minutes. (Of course, patients do not come in direct contact with liquid nitrogen when it is used to cool the chamber.) The intense cooling induces a number of physiological changes such as vasoconstriction of blood from the limbs, which is pooled to the vital organs. Additionally, inflammatory mediators are reduced, inducing a powerful immune system response. Last, fight-or-flight hormones are released causing a “feel good” endorphin boost to the patient.
What are the Benefits of Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy provides the following therapeutic benefits:
- Pain management: Cold packs increase pain thresholds and thereby reduce pain. Cryotherapy can be used in both acute and chronic pain.
- Decrease muscle spasms: Cold therapy reduces sensitivity of the muscle spindles and reduces pain. Thus, it helps to reduce muscle spasms.
- Reduce inflammation: Cold therapy slows the inflammatory response by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators.
- Edema management: Cold therapy reduces capillary permeability. As a result, cryotherapy helps to reduce edema as well as hemorrhage.
- Reduce spasticity: Muscle cooling has been found to reduce muscle stretch activity. Cryotherapy demyelinates nerves and reduces nerve conduction. This has been proven to reduce spasticity as well as fatigue in MS patients.
- Vasoconstriction: As cryotherapy lowers the tissue temperature, it acts as a vasoconstrictor. In the case of acute injury, this effect of cryotherapy along with elevation can stop bleeding along with easing pain.
- Relieve pregnancy back pain, muscle spasms, and cramps: Common pregnancy symptoms can be relieved using cryotherapy and is a safe alternative to medications.
- Reduce fever: Cryotherapy reduces fever by bringing the tissue temperature down. This has a significant impact on the physiological function of the body.
- Manage acute post-surgical conditions: In post-surgical conditions, ice packs can be used to manage pain, muscle spasm, and edema.
- Improve muscle fatigue: Athletes use ice packs during training or competitions. Cryotherapy chambers can also be used to recover from exercise-induced muscle injury or delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS).
- Induce temperature stress: Cryotherapy induces a short duration temperature stress to the body. The hormones released during stress — cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine — increase the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, and hunger.
- Increase metabolism. After a session of cryotherapy, energy (calories) are used to reheat the body. It is hypothesized that during a three to five minute session, approximately 500 to 800 calories are burned.
Cryotherapy Side Effects
There are a few side effects of cryotherapy treatments that therapists should note:
- While cryotherapy can reduce unwanted pain and nerve irritation, it sometimes can leave the tissue affected with unusual sensations, such as numbness or tingling.
- Cryotherapy can cause redness and irritation of the skin. But, these effects are generally temporary.
- If a localized cold pack or ice is left on the skin too long, it can cause integumentary damage (including frostbite in extreme cases). Therefore, localized cold therapy should never be applied longer than 30 minutes, and the skin integrity should be monitored during treatment.
- Whole body cryotherapy should not exceed five minutes (typical treatment sessions are two to three minutes). Whole body cryotherapy causes decreased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and lowered respiration. The patient’s vital signs and disposition should be monitored before, during, and after treatment. Oxygen levels inside the chamber should also be checked.
- The patient should ensure that all clothing and skin are completely dry when stepping into a cryotherapy chamber. Also, metal or jewelry should be removed. Last, sensitive body parts should be covered with a facemask, ear muffs, gloves, and socks or slippers. Burning of the skin or frostbite can occur when a patient does not follow proper protocol when entering a cryotherapy chamber.
Cryotherapy Contraindications
Cold therapy, especially whole body cryotherapy, should be avoided in the following cases:
- Any respiratory illness
- A history of heart attack in the past six months
- High blood pressure
- Unstable angina pectoris
- Cardiovascular disease or arrhythmias
- Circulatory disorders like peripheral arterial or venous disease (DVT)
- Anemia tumors
- History of stroke or cerebral hemorrhage
- History of seizures
- Raynaud’s syndrome
- Bleeding disorders
- Acute or chronic kidney disease
- Metal implants or pacemakers
- Pediatric patients (younger than 18)
If your patient has any history of chronic illness, confer with the prescribing physician before beginning cryotherapy treatment.
Call
My wife has been wanting to try cryotherapy for her birthday, so thanks for sharing this. I had no idea that this treatment could increase your metabolism. I see why this might be an effective way to lose weight like she was talking about.
My daughter and I had cryotherapy yesterday for the first time. Upon completing a min, I began to have a sharp pain in the back of my head so asked to be removed. I was in a total of 2 min. I ended up in the emergency room with a right sided headache (front and back), blood pressure was 154/142 ( I do not have hypertension) and left arm was seizing. I was advised there were 4 other people presenting to the ER for migraines post cryotherapy. My daughter did a full 3 min and had no side effects. I do not have a history of migraines and read cryotherapy can treat migraine sufferers. In saying that, I would speak to your physician prior to treatment as this and any other alternative treatments could potentially have side effects not mentioned.
Omg. My son just got his first treatment of cryotherapy yesterday and he woke me up around 4am telling me he has a really bad migraine and he feels hot🥵 . I checked his temperature 🤒 no fever . I gave him some medication turn on his room ceiling fan and told him to to sleep 😴 it off. I went to work later on he called me said he felt a little better I had him shower 🚿 and after a few min. He called me told me he felt way better. He also told me his pitching arm felt way better and he was going to workout 🏋🏻♂️. Thank you for sharing your experience I been searching for answers online.
That happened to me and they put me on high blood Pressure medicine
I had the same thing happen to me today. Severe head and neck pain and blood pressure went through the roof. Only in for 55 seconds. My daughter did the full 3 minutes first and was fine. My head still hurts almost 10 hours later.
i just called a cryotherapy place because i have severe back problems and arthritis, the secretary couldnt answer my questions but i have hypertension and phlebitis in my left leg (and dont want a blood clot) and now that i read these responses I better stay away and just put cold packs on my back.
Jennifer,
Do not let other experiences hinder yourself from experiencing cryotherapy.
The benefits really outweighs all these coincidental bad experiences .
Im of a middled age individual, very active, have a high blood pressure, and i take prescriptions for that.
Guess what, for a 3 days i have not taken my meds just due to refill issues and delays.
Its monday now, not taken my meds yet.
But had my very first cryotherapy last friday.
And felt soooo good! My lower back pain was gone!
And never had any sort of headaches.
Not having any symptoms of HBP.
I work in a medical field, so I know what i am talkkng about.
Maybe look into infrared red light therapy instead
You were probably breathing in too much of the nitrogen vapor. Some people cant relax and breath in too much.
I had the same experience — sharp ache at the base of my head that turned into a horrible headache. My blood pressure went way up (also no history of migraines or high blood pressure). One week post treatment I still have a horrible headache and neck pain. How long did it take you to recover?
Anne,
i hope you are well hydrated prior to WBC ( whole body cryotherapy).
headaches/migraines, as we all know is one major and common symptoms from DEHYRATION.
Lisa do only 30sec the 1st time you have to gradually build up to 30min. Do this 3 time a week for 3 week. Add 15 sec the 4th week
30 minutes???? The article says no more than 5 minutes. 2 to 3 minutes is best.
Me n my daughter went in at 115 degrees for 3 mins we wore long socks mittens face mask and headband were fine
Did they check your blood pressure first? This sounds like Hypertensive possibility. Also you need to be hydrated as well. We treat people for migraines often and have a high success rate of knocking them out quickly.
Thank you so much for this information. I have chronic migraines and I wondered if this therapy could trigger one.
I had the same reaction the first time. Splitting headache after 30 seconds. Lasted the better part of a week. I did go back but now use the cover to keep the cold away from my neck. Quite tolerant to it at this point, been about 8 times total. It helps with my joint pain. Maybe go 1 a week now..
I don’t think it was mentioned in the article but if someone has know as to have increase in BP due to vasoconstriction then cryotherapy cannot be applied. I’m guessing this is what happened to you even if you were not aware that this could happen. See when you apply any type of cryotherapy on someone’s body,blood flow increases and blood vessels constrict and here is when in some people this can create an elevated BP because your blood is trying to pass through those vessels that have become very narrow. Is like if your trying to squeeze liquid out of a very tiny tinny hole, the pressure at one end is extremely elevated. I’m not an expert, I’m just giving some information I got from my professor at PT school
This is truly helpful, thanks.
Just wanted to know why it matters if you have had seizures or not, what will happen? I have had grand maul seizures for approximately 10 years now, there has been no determined caused and I was curious about cyrotherapy because my legs swell up a lot and have been causing me major issues.
Hi Kriss,
Thanks for your question! Exposure to extreme temperature changes can actually induce seizures. Before trying cryotherapy, I would recommend talking to your doctor to make sure it is safe for you.
Have a great day!
You may benefit from having manual Lymph Drainage done but check with your doctor first if course 🙂
One femur has a 20 year old intramedullary rod – titanium; the other femur a rod 1 year.
I’m 5’8″ slenter 115 lbs. No other contraindications or illness,
Can full body cyro chamber therapy be done?
Thank you for submitting your question. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor or find a cryotherapy provider in your area to determine if it is safe to undergo cryo chamber treatment. A full medical history would need to be obtained before making a determination on whether or not cyrotherapy is safe for you. You can find a cryotherapy provider here: https://www.uscryotherapy.com/find-a-location/
Have a great day!
I have used cryotherapy for Anchiles and it definitely helps. also great for cosmetic improvements. used it on my face and neck. I went to laser loft medical spa in ponte vedra beach florida.
I had one DVT back in January, 2017 due to being in a boot from a broken leg. Was on blood thinner for only three months. Are they referring to people with current DVT or any history of? Thank you.
Hi Lori,
I would recommend that you talk to your doctor or find a cryotherapy provider in your area to determine if it is safe to undergo cryo chamber treatment after a DVT. You can find a cryotherapy provider here: https://www.uscryotherapy.com/find-a-location/
Have a great day!
My hubby had a spot frozen off on his cheek. Then it formed a watery blister & now there is a painful bump there instead. It’s hard like a small cyst. No fever, just pain… which bothers him a lot!
He wears oxygen & the plastic tubing rubs against it, so that probably makes it worse. So, what do you think he should he do?
It’s been about a mth since he had the cryotherapy.
It looks like the bump may need to be excised,.. but, I’m not a dr. so, not sure. I told him he really needs to go back & see his dermatologist to have him examine it & determine what, if anything, needs to be done to help this cyst-like irritation he now has in the area of the previous cryotherapy.
Thank you for any advice that you may be able to offer us!
Hi Sharon,
I would recommend that your husband see his physician. The doctor needs to examine the area in order for it to be treated properly.
Hi all! I recently broke my left arm. I underwent surgery yesterday and it is to my understanding that the surgeon inserted a plate and screws into my arm to repair the fracture. Would I still be able to utilize the full body cryogenic chambers? I didn’t think to ask him before I left the surgery center as I was still loopy from the anesthesia. Thoughts? Would this serve as an effective pain management practice?
Thank you for submitting your question. I would recommend that you call your doctor’s office before undergoing cryo chamber treatment. It may not be safe for you with the new plate and screws.
Wishing you a quick recovery!
I am “self diagnosed” with Reynauds, but i really want to try wbc to take advantage of all the benefits!! Can you tell me what can happen specifically regarding Reynauds?
Sue,
In Raynaud’s disease, the blood circulation is limited to the affected areas (called vasospasm). Since cold temperatures trigger Raynaud’s attacks, cryotherapy is not recommended. There are some cryo clinics who suggest people with Raynaud’s try cryotherapy but wear thicker gloves when entering the chamber. But, I would not recommend cryotherapy without talking to your physician first to make sure it is safe.
Has anyone had after effects of periods of being very cold & then sweating alot? This has been going on with me & doctors can’t find any other issue so I’m wondering if it is a side effect from the cryotherapy. I’ve had 6 of my 9 sessions & I’m not sure if I should finish the last 3 or not. This doesn’t happen immediately after the session it’s later on. ?
This happens to me too. It’s later in the day or at night and even the next day I swear more than normal. But the owner told me that your body will be realeasing a lot of toxins after the process so I just chalked it up to that.
Anyone with Reynald’s who wants cryotherapy is asking for trouble. Maybe look into infrared red light therapy instead.
I have Raynaud’s and I do while body cryotherapy regularly with minimal issues. If I go longer than 3mins a couple of fingers will start to go a little numb despite wearing two pairs of gloves, but I do some quick squats after I get out and squeeze from the Barry off the fingers a few times and it passes quickly. If I stay 3 mins or less they only start to tingle. I highly recommend you try it! Wear two pairs of gloves and start at 1-2 mins to see how you respond.
Had my first Cryotherapy session yesterday. It was 2 minutes long. I was fine during the session but once I thawed out I’m extremely sore all over and my right knee knee is worse.
What could be wrong? Is this a sign of an underlying issue?
Thanks for posting your question. I would recommend you make an appointment with your doctor. He/she knows your medical history and will be able to provide the correct diagnosis regarding the source of your pain. I would hold off on additional cryotherapy treatments until seeing your doctor.
I had knee replacement surgery 4 weeks ago today. My son talked me into going this afternoon. The lady I spoke to said it was perfect for TKR. I just read that any metal or screws is not recommended to use the chamber? Now I am really confused?
Hi Renee,
Thank you for submitting your question! I would call the surgeon’s office and verify that it is safe for your son to undergo cryotherapy treatments before trying this treatment.
Kind Regards
Hi, thank you for the posts and your comments they are very helpful.
I have been to cryo 4 times, after the first time I had a horrible headache, the second and third times were totally uneventful and the issues I went for were starting to feel better. The fourth time I went I developed a red burn (like a sunburn) down the back of my left thigh. As the evening went on it got hotter and more sensative (like a bad sunburn would feel) and now (almost a week later) there are red bumps all throughout the area where the burn was and it is sensative to the touch or just when sitting.
Any thoughts on that? What should I do for it? Not sure if I will go back, like I said my body was starting to feel better.
Thank you.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for submitting your question! I would recommend seeing a dermatologist to get the skin issues treated quickly.
Hi Lisa,
I had my first Cryotherapy done today and it was only for 3 minutes. Several minutes after I was out of the chamber my left leg (calf and thigh) was still feeling cold. After about 10 minutes or so I started to have burning session (felt like sunburn) and the area was red. I told the receptionist about it and they told me to do a 15mins infrared sauna. I did feel a bit better after the sauna but I still have the redness and sunburn in my left calf and thigh. Did you go to the dermatologist?
I say there’s some user-error that occurs during your session that you developed that burnt skin, remember though, too much direct exposure from that liquid nitrogen can cause burning effects. its all really self explanatory. The cryo equipment or chamber could be defective.
Wow, it’s interesting that cryotherapy is an option for healing body pains, although one should always consult with their personal doctors/physicians before doing so. While I haven’t tried this alternative form of treatment yet, my brother is curious as to what cryotherapy does and how it can affect someone who has back pain as he does. At some point, I’ll have to remind him to check in with his personal doctor before heading out to a cryotherapy session so that he can make sure he can proceed with the treatment.
my first whole body cryotherapy session was a very positive one! my lower back pain was gone!…at 95%…i say 95% cause whatever damage we caused to our body will never go back 100% fixed. Thats why we call it “chronic back pain”. I tell you what, ive been to PT, chiropractor for whatever adjustments… but i never experience this much painless, sore gone after this cryotherapy treatment.
I would like to do procedure on my face and the back of my arms. I have a dvt in right leg and am on xarelto. Can I still have cryotherapy as it will not involve leg?
Hi Susan,
Since you have a DVT and are taking blood-thinning medication, you should not undergo cryotherapy without talking to your physician.
I had one treatment of cryotherapy, two hours later my left side head and forehead would not stop hurting, its now day five. can you tell me if anyone experience headache for so long after the session and for how long
i am so glad i came to this site and read all of your posts, i have many medical problems and I dont even have to call my vascular surgeon, I already know from these posts it would not be good for me…i’ll continued to use cold packs on my neck and back. Great site for info.
Hi, If i have metal implants can I take a cryo sessions? I have knew screws and platinum on my clavicle.
Hi Claudia,
Thank you for submitting your question. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor or find a cryotherapy provider in your area to determine if it is safe to undergo cryo chamber treatment. You can find a cryotherapy provider here: https://www.uscryotherapy.com/find-a-location/
Have a great day!
I have high blood pressure and aortic valve stenosis. Would it be safe for me to try the cryotherapy treatment?
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you for your question! I would strongly recommend you talk to your physician before undergoing cryotherapy treatment to make sure it is safe for you.
Have a great day!
HII
I am planning to do research on ‘Effectiveness of Cryotherapy on Pain related to IV Cannulation among Adult Patients’
In this I am applying Ice pack for 5 min. before putting Canula due to that patient may not feel pain.
But i have dought that if i apply Ice pack for 5 min. weather patients Vain can see me clearly or vasoconstriction will be there.
plz guide me , weather i can apply or not.
I have toxicity poisoning – metal toxicity poisoning a lot of it – lead – mercury & gadolinium – was diagnosed by a doctor with fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome – I’m having swelling in my ankles and my legs – lower legs – blood pressure is good no problems there I’m not diabetic I’ve never had a seizure – I am seeing an environmental doctor and starting very small doses of chelation to remove some of the toxic poisoning – I am overweight – over 55 – female – I take no hormones at this time – I have a thyroid problem I am on nature throid – I do exercise 3 days a week I use a home infrared sauna three to four days a week – I have no metal implants in my body – we just recently found out that I have a cyst on the right side of my brain I will be examined by neurologist the middle of April – should I try cryotherapy before the neurologist examines me?
Second cryo today. First time i went down to 125 with excellent results. Today dropped another 25° to negative 147. Felt my stomach tighten little to Much for only 20 seconds. Feel nauseous & maybe like i breathed in too much nitrogen. This gonna pass? Am i ok? I got good sense of my good level – prob around -135. Felt so good after first treatment but not so much this time. Maybe just went little too extreme?
you are not supposed to breath in that Nitrogen.
Hi Lisa,
I had my first Cryotherapy done today and it was only for 3 minutes. Several minutes after I was out of the chamber my left leg (calf and thigh) was still feeling cold. After about 10 minutes or so I started to have burning session (felt like sunburn) and the area was red. I told the receptionist about it and they told me to do a 15mins infrared sauna. I did feel a bit better after the sauna but I still have the redness and sunburn in my left calf and thigh. Did you go to the dermatologist?
Hi Guys,
I had my first Cryotherapy done today and it was only for 3 minutes. Several minutes after I was out of the chamber my left leg (calf and thigh) was still feeling cold. After about 10 minutes or so I started to have burning session (felt like sunburn) and the area was red. I told the receptionist about it and they told me to do a 15mins infrared sauna. I did feel a bit better after the sauna but I still have the redness and sunburn in my left calf and thigh. How long do you think I should wait before I see a Dr.? Should i apply any thing to ease the burn?
Thank you.
I had two treatments and had to stop as per my eye drs recommendation. Both treatments were PRO for three minutes which took my body under -200 degrees. I went for decreased inflammation in my right hip. By the second treatment the pain was gone. But, also after the 2nd treatment I experienced a large Floater in my left eye. I went to my eye dr O.D. and they discovered that I had had a Massive PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment). My whole vitreous gel in my left eye had in one instant detached from the whole back of my retina causing the large floater in my eye, which is basically my vitreous gel floating around in my eye. The swelling from the detachment has caused me to lose two lines of vision even with my current prescription I just got three months ago in my glasses. For reading and computer work the floater interferes with six inches of my vision and when I look at the tv it spans three feet of my vision. The O.D. has me doing two drops in my eye of an RX to reduce the swelling and I’m to go back in one month to see if I get back my vision to my state before the injury if I don’t I’ll need to change my eye glass prescription in my left lens. Then, if want to get rid of the floater I’ll need to see a Retinal Specialist and under go surgery. Needless, to say my O.D. wrote a note to the business and let them know that they need to let their clients know if this risk. Evidently, anywhere after the age of 40 but definitely after 60 years of age. The vitreous gel changes due to age and becomes more liquid and can naturally over time come in sections apart from the retina causing small floaters. I’m 54 years old and have myopia (nearsightedness) and glaucoma in my left eye. Evidently, a combination of these put me at risk to have have the WBC but, it is not listed anywhere as a contraindication to using the WBC therapy. It could be that the majority of individuals that have been using the WBC are mostly under the age of 40 due to being professional athletes. As more and more individuals in the non-athletic community have access to the WBC therapy we may see more incidences of age related contraindications increase in the list for others to be aware of. I wrote this to add to the data that is not already out there.
thanks for that comment because I have needed bifocals since 45 and have total night blindness….and bilateral cataracts at 46 and i’m 51 now and i dont need anything to get worse…wow..so glad i read these comments !
with all due respect, i was hoping you did not immerse your whole head into that chamber filled with nitrogen. Just imagine our eyes is majority fluid-filled, you get your eyes exposed to such extreme freezing points, can cause irreversible damages.
I tried Cryotherapy for the first time this past Monday and my calves and feet have been so achy and crampy and tight ever since Monday evening. Has this happened to anyone else? And if so, how long did it last? I went to a Vascular specialist today to have any serious complications ruled out. Thank you!!
If you have unknown vascular disease or conditions, you could have side effects from cryotherapy. Check DVT conditions.
I HAD CRYO FULL BODY CHAMBER WHEN I WAS SICK TWICE. First time. went great. lost weight on the next day or two. second time.. i felt like i was in there a minute too long. when i got out i was super cold. i was super cold in there too… i also ended up in the hospital with breathing problems not too long after. i get shortness of breath. use a nebulizer. use tons of medicines to breath. advair, spiriva, cymbalta, prednisone, symbycort,, etc… is this because cryotherapy?
Victoria, may i ask your if you have a pre existing lungs conditions, like asthma or chronic pulmonary disease?
When you say “sick”, what sickness did you have?
respiratory problems or conditions like pneumonia?
Coz, i wouldnt advise getting in a cryotherapy during those physical conditions.
I had my first WBC Monday woke up Tuesday with cold sore Wednesday woke up to have trouble swallowing which cause a panic attack on med for anxiety so wondering if side effect
I started cryotherapy in July 2019. There are 2 types of machines in my area, one with nitrogen directly in tank (head outside chamber warned not to breath the nitrogen), the other uses nitrogen to cool the air and whole body goes in chamber, this is one I use. With in 3 weeks I went from -160 to -220. I have back, knee, and hip pain, I could not bend over to tie my shoes, I stand on stairs to be able to tie them. I also bought a gripper to pick things up off floor. I had surgery for rotator cuff injury, some copd issues.
I bought the unlimited package at $150 a month, a bit pricey for a retired person, I am 60yo. So I got my money worth and went everyday. So I was shocked in just over 3 weeks I saw something on the floor and without thinking I bent over and picked it up. Then I thought I’ll try to tie my shoes, again I kneeled and tied my shoes got up no pain. Forgot my copd medicine, cause I was breathing deeply and just forgot about, still have not had to use my emergency inhaler.
Now I had to stop because I have an open wound. It’s almost healed but price might keep me away. If anyone wants to do a study, I would be more than will to be a participant, JUST FORR THE TREATMENT. 😁……………..PLEASE
Cryotherapy is not an exact science even when they pretend it is. Most of the science behind this therapy is like Darwinian Evolution a theory that ultimately sounds good and could possibly be true but also may be slight off. I am not saying cold and even cryotherapy is bad for anyone, I am no expert and I can not make such a claim but I have heard experts on this subject and experts in this field that make very strong arguments regarding cryotherapy as an incomplete therapy…
I started cryotherapy (01.09.20) and within a few hours had trouble urinating. The next day, I went back for treatment thinking it was just coincidental. The same symptom occurred. I didn’t go back for 3 days and felt better. Then I went back two days in a row and the same symptoms came back. I went to the doctor and had a bladder infection. After being treated for the infection for a week, I went back to cryotherapy chamber. The same exact symptoms started all over again. Is this a common side effect? I really love the benefits and am so upset that maybe it isn’t for me. I really want to keep going so I am going to take about a month off and go back. If it happens again, I guess I will know definitely. Let me know if anyone here has dealt with this.
Are there age restrictions. I will be 77 in March 2020 I have no real health history as I have not had any major problems and although I did have some back pain for a couple of years but acupuncture solved that problem and with regular tune up treatments. I have always been super sensitive to cold, but from water basically. I have stable blood pressure and historically it is usually around 110 over 80 which has been somewhat the same over my life time. So without any discernible health history is age a factor?
Did the full Body Cryotherapy for the first time this weekend, wore socks, slippers, mittens, ear muffs and a light robe. I was in for 2 & a 1/2 minutes. The only thing that I felt was a brain freeze for a total of 5 minutes at the most once I was finished. Otherwise it was invigorating and felt that I had a lot of energy. Planning on doing it again.
I know about Nitrogen-free whole body cryotherapy for inflammation management, athletic performance, skin rejuvenation, & psychological reset for stress reduction, enhanced mental focus & better sleep. Thanks for the information. Worth reading
I bought a month of unlimited cryotherapy visits at the local Chiropractor Office. I have done it daily for 5 days now. I love it! I’m 65, and originally tried it for joint pain. I have had no negative side effects of any kind. It gives me lots of energy, and I am sleeping better. I’m not sure about joint pain yet… small improvement if any. If you can afford to do it (it’s pricey), I recommend it.
I have had 15 sessions so far in a chamber where my body including my head are inside. I love it! More energy, I sleep so much better, and I feel more upbeat! I don’t wake up tired in the morning. I train with weights at my muscles feel better as well. I also use the local cryo for my shoulder and elbows and that works better for painful joints or muscles. Highly recommend it but anyone should ask their doctor. I am 62 btw.
I found it very interesting to know that cryotherapy can help with muscle fatigue, relieve back pain, and even improve metabolism. I’ve thought about opening a spa, and one of the things people have told me I should consider is a cryogenic treatment device. I will start looking for a provider that can offer a good deal.
I had a stent procedure about 10 years ago and am on heart meds, including plavix, etc. Is cryotherapy safe for me ? was thinking of starting with facial, or local before I attempt the chamber, thanks !