Whole Body Cryotherapy
What is Whole Body Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy originated in Japan in 1978 as a treatment option for those with serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation and muscle pain/fatigue. Due to its high level of success, it quickly spread to Europe (where it is covered by medical insurance) becoming a staple for trainers, athletes, and physical therapists. Today, it has spread throughout the United States, and is becoming a popular, natural treatment for a variety of problems.
Whole body cryotherapy is the practice of using cold temperatures to promote natural healing and wellness. The modern cryotherapy experience is better than ever! By using extremely dry air, the cold temperatures are tolerated extremely well and the user experiences all of the rejuvenating and refreshing benefits – in just three minutes. Reaching temperatures as low as around -300 degrees F, cryotherapy is a fast and effective alternative to traditional ice baths. Cryotherapy users say they experience a multitude of benefits offering a new option to promote mental and physical wellness.
Step into our hyper-cooled cryochamber and experience what Tony Robbins says makes him “feel like a kid again.”
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Benefits In Just 3 Minutes…
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Removal of toxins and inflammatory agents
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Stimulates the bodies natural filtration
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Oxygenated blood promotes healthy skin and muscles
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Increases range of motion
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Reduces pain & inflammation
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Increased energy levels
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Shortens injury recovery times
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Who Can Benefit?
1. Chronic Pain
Whole Body Cryotherapy as a pain management technique has shown promising results in relieving chronic pain not only for arthritis, fibromyalgia and other rheumatoid diseases, but also due to migraines, muscle soreness, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic pain syndromes. After a series of 5-10 sessions, patients are shown to have decreased pain intensity and frequency with daily activities, improved blood circulation and increased energy levels.
2. Health & Wellness
Cryotherapy also stimulates the vagus nerve, reducing anxiety and fatigue. According to research the vagus nerve is literally the captain of your inner nerve center — the parasympathetic nervous system, to be specific. And like a good captain, it does a great job of overseeing a vast range of crucial functions, communicating nerve impulses to every organ in your body. New research has revealed that it may also be the missing link to treating chronic inflammation, and the beginning of an exciting new field of treatment that leaves medications behind. Stimulation of the vagus nerve also helps reduce anxiety and fatigue.
3. Recovery
The term cryotherapy comes from the Greek words cryo, meaning “cold” and therapy, meaning “cure.” Ice packs and ice baths have long been used to reduce swelling and inflammation. Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is a much faster and more effective way to cool damaged tissue and effectively treat a number of conditions. Recovery from an injury or surgery can be much faster when WBC is utilized in combination with your therapy program. Or for those with an inflammatory overuse injury, such as tendinitis or bursitis, Cryo can interrupt the pain cycle and allow your body to heal.
4. Athletes
Professional athletes have been using Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) for years! They understand that faster recovery permits a consistent and frequent training schedule which is central to quicker skill development and performance, and that WBC is THE tool to accelerate recovery.
Athletes seeking maximum performance and competitive fitness advantages should utilize WBC in their training and recovery regimen to help attain their goals. Whether you desire better muscle healing, decreased fatigue, or accelerated recovery time, connect with our trained team members at Restore to try it for yourself.
5. Beauty & Anti-Aging
While the results of cryotherapy can be impressive inside the body, they can be equally as stunning on the surface as WBC tricks body sensors to implement the same response it would if you were freezing, thereby jump-starting the body's natural healing, detoxification and rejuvenation processes. Due to the improvement of circulation as your body works harder to reheat and transport blood, and the rush of oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood back to the surface of the skin following a treatment, many have experienced the following dramatic results.
Reported benefits include the following:
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Increased collagen production
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Reduced signs of aging
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Increased metabolism and weight management benefits
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Reduced appearance of cellulite
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More youthful complexion
OsteoArthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Migraines
Chronic Fatigue
Sports injury
Aches & Pains
Surgical Recovery
Anxiety
Depression
Athletic recovery
Multiple sclerosis
Auto-Immune Disorders
Psoriasis
Ankylosing Spondylosis
Dermatitis
Tendonitis
Joint Inflammation
Sleep Disorders
What to Expect
Step 1: Medical Review
Your first whole body cryotherapy appointment can take anywhere between 15 and 20 minutes so that we can perform a health screening, fully educate you on the process and answer any questions you may have. After the first appointment, sessions typically take about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Getting Changed
You will be provided with socks, slippers, gloves and a robe to change into. Women are instructed to remove all clothing, but are welcome to wear bra and underwear (or 2-piece swimsuit) if preferred; Men will need to keep cotton undergarments on.
Step 3: Time to Step Inside
Once inside the cryochamber, the technician will raise the platform you are standing on so that your head is sticking out the top. You will then remove your robe and hand it to the technician. It is fine to leave your hair down and have on face lotion or makeup. We ask that you do not apply lotion or any moisture to your skin an hour before your session.
Step 4: Create YOUR Perfect Session
Choose which type and intensity of treatment you would like to do that day based on the technician's recommendations, your medical history, goals and past experiences with cryotherapy. Treatment options range from Beginner and Moderate to Extreme and Intense. All sessions will begin with 40 seconds of a gentle heat. This helps to make the cryo session even more comfortable by drying out the cabin and making the cool air the driest it can be.
Step 5: It’s Cryo Time!
During your session, the technician will be there for you during the entire session. He/she will cheer you on and make sure that you are comfortable throughout your 2-3 minute session. The door to the cryochamber is never locked - you can exit at any time by simply pushing it open.
Step 6: Restore and Warm Up
After your session is complete, the technician will hand your robe back to you, which you put back on and then exit the cryochamber. You will then be offered some hot tea and may choose to relax in The Restore Lounge to warm up. Many clients enjoy scheduling a 10-minute Infrared Sauna session immediately after cryotherapy to warm up and further relax and detoxify the body.
Research
Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature
Nowadays, whole-body cryotherapy is a medical physical treatment widely used in sports medicine. Recovery from injuries (e.g., trauma, overuse) and after-season recovery are the main purposes for application. However, the most recent studies confirmed the anti-inflammatory, anti-analgesic, and anti-oxidant effects of this therapy by highlighting the underlying physiological responses. In addition to its therapeutic effects, whole-body cryotherapy has been demonstrated to be a preventive strategy against the deleterious effects of exercise-induced inflammation and soreness. Novel findings have stressed the importance of fat mass on cooling effectiveness and of the starting fitness level on the final result. Exposure to the cryotherapy somehow mimics exercise, since it affects myokines expression in an exercise-like fashion, thus opening another possible window on the therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. From a biochemical point of view, whole-body cryotherapy not always induces appreciable modifications, but the final clinical output (in terms of pain, soreness, stress, and post-exercise recovery) is very often improved compared to either the starting condition or the untreated matched group. Also, the number and the frequency of sessions that should be applied in order to obtain the best therapeutic results have been deeply investigated in the last years...
Whole-body Cryotherapy as a Recovery Technique after Exercise: A Review of the Literature
This review aims to evaluate the current body of literature investigating the effect of whole body cryotherapy on recovery after exercise. A systematic search was conducted to investigate the effect of whole body cryotherapy (WBC, exposure to temperatures between -110 to -190°C) on markers of recovery after damaging exercise in healthy, physically active subjects. Of the 16 eligible articles extracted, ten induced muscle damage using controlled exercise in a laboratory setting, while six induced damage during sport-specific training. Results indicated that muscle pain was reduced in 80% of studies following WBC. Two applied studies found recovery of athletic capacity and performance with WBC improved, variables of this nature were also improved in 71% of studies using controlled exercise. Further benefits of WBC treatment included reduction of systemic inflammation and lower concentrations of markers for muscle cell damage. These results suggest that WBC may improve recovery from muscle damage, with multiple exposures more consistently exhibiting improvements in recovery from pain, loss of muscle function, and markers of inflammation and damage. The diversity in muscle damage protocols, exposure timing with regards to exercise, as well as temperatures, duration and frequencies of exposure, make specific recommendations preliminary at present.
Subjective evaluation of the effectiveness of whole-body cryotherapy in patients with osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVES:
One of the treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) is whole-body cryotherapy (WBC). The aim of this study is to assess the effect of whole-body cryotherapy on the clinical status of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), according to their subjective feelings before and after the application of a 10-day cold treatment cycle. The aim is also to assess the reduction of intensity and frequency of pain, the reduction of the painkiller medication used, and to assess the possible impact on physical activity.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The study involved 50 people, including 30 women (60%) and 20 men (40%). Thirty-one patients had spondyloarthritis (62% of respondents), 10 had knee osteoarthritis (20%), and 9 hip osteoarthritis (18%). The overall average age was 50.1 ±10.9 years; the youngest patient was 29 years old and the oldest 73 years old. The average age of the women was 6 years higher. The study used a questionnaire completed by patients, and consisted of three basic parts. The modified Laitinen pain questionnaire contained questions concerning the intensity and frequency of pain, frequency of painkiller use and the degree of limited mobility. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used in order to subjectively evaluate the therapy after applying the ten-day treatment cycle.
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RESULTS:
According to the subjective assessment of respondents, after the whole-body cryotherapy treatments, a significant improvement occurred in 39 patients (78%), an improvement in 9 patients (18%), and no improvement was only declared by 2 patients (4%).
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CONCLUSIONS:
Whole-body cryotherapy resulted in a reduction in the frequency and degree of pain perception in patients with osteoarthritis. WBC reduced the number of analgesic medications in these patients. It improved the range of physical activity and had a positive effect on the well-being of patients.
The effects of whole-body cryotherapy and melatonin supplementation on total antioxidative status and some antioxidative enzymes in multiple sclerosis patients
Oxidative stress is an important factor which contributes to the pathogenesis of lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). Whole body cryotherapy (WBCT) is often used in treatment of neurological and orthopedic diseases.
The aim, material and methods: The aim of this study was to determinate the level of total antioxidative status (TAS) in plasma and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes of MS patients (n=28) before and after 10 exposures of WBCT (-120°C/3minutes/day). 16 MS patients during 10 exposures of WBCT additionally were supplemented by 10 mg of melatonin.
Results: Increasing of TAS level in plasma as well as supplemented with melatonin and non-supplemented MS patients was observed after 10 exposures of WBCT. Melatonin statistically significant increased activity of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes of MS patients treated with WBCT.
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Conclusions: Results of our study indicate significant increase of TAS level in plasma of MS patients of WBCT treatment. This indicates that WBCT might be a therapy which suppresses oxidative stress in MS patients.
Testimonials
I Cryo because...
Let me begin by telling you that I do not tolerate cold! I was certain that these procedures are not for me. I was looking for other ways to relieve my arthritis pain, but did not have much luck. Finally I decided to give it a try. To my surprise it was not bad at all! So far, I took 12 procedures. After about 15 procedure arthritis pain in my left hip was gone! My insomnia was gone!! And so is my chronicle fatigue!! I feel 20 years younger!!
Sofia
I Cryo because...
"I am 51 and decided to get off the couch and run a ½ of a ½ marathon race (6.5 miles). In the past, my ankles, knees and hips would be extremely sore after running. During the 8 weeks of training, I used the cryotherapy 3-4 days a week. Not only did I not experience any joint soreness, my recovery period after long runs was lessened in time, pain and stiffness. Another side benefit is better sleep and contributed to a 7 lb weight loss. The cryotherapy is a significant reason for continuing to train for my next race, a 15k (9.3 miles). I am extremely satisfied and believe in the therapy!"
T. Phillip
I Cryo because...
"I am a 37 year old husband and father of two. I work in an office by day as an IT professional, and volunteer as a firefighter and deputy fire marshal by night. Two years ago I injured my back and have had periods of debilitating pain off and on as I would re-agitate the injury. Two weeks ago I had a bad week which culminated with me spending 45 minutes laying in the yard due to the spasms in my back after a day of yard work. I had enough and decided to try cryotherapy on a friend’s recommendation. After my first session I felt incredible so I signed up to try a month. I have now been using cryotherapy for two weeks and I have not had one spasm in my back since. In addition, I am sleeping better than I ever have, have reduced pain in my joints, and have lost 5 pounds. I have even starting running again. I am a true believer in this technology!"
J. Brooks
I Cryo because...
"Cryosauna has been a very positive health experience for me. For the last two years I spent lots of time and money with doctors. No one has been able to help me with my skin condition. After 15 Cryo Spa treatments my skin has improved remarkably!! Thank you so much Cryosauna my skin condition is clearing up! I have also experienced several additional health benefits from my Cryo Sauna treatment, my allergy and asthma, my moods have improved and I sleep through the night and my overall will being has improved! An extra bonus is that I have been also losing weight!"
Olga
Expert Opinions
Dr. Giovanni Lombardi
Director of the Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
"The majority of evidence supports effectiveness of WBC in relieving symptomatology of the whole set of inflammatory conditions that could affect an athlete. Furthermore, with evidence that WBC somehow mimics exercise, at least in its ability to induce a pulsatile expression of myokines (IL-6, irisin), open another window of possible therapeutic strategies for obesity and type 2 diabetes."
Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Doctor of Biomedical Science
"Cold shock is a type of stress that, in the right doses, is enough to shock the body and kick off adaptive processes and response mechanisms that are hardwired into our genes, and, once on, are able to create a resilience that actually exceeds what was needed to counter the initial stimuli. Cold exposure increases norepinephrine up to 5-fold in the brain and has an effect on mood, vigilance, focus, and attention. Furthermore, cold exposure increases cold shock proteins including one in the brain that repairs damaged synapses and prevents muscle atrophy. Also, cold-induced norepinephrine lowers inflammation and pain by decreasing the levels of 3 inflammatory mediators.
Chronic cold shock may increase immune cell numbers and particularly a type of immune cell that kills cancer cells. Cold exposure increases metabolic rate, the number of mitochondria, and the burning of fat."
Commonly Asked Questions
Is Cryotherapy the same as an ice bath?
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Whole Body Cryotherapy is an advanced form of ice therapy but not the same as an ice bath. Ice baths can last up to 20 minutes and are painful and damaging to the skin. In the Cryosauna, the skin is never penetrated, yet the body responds on a deeper level, and improves the skin's overall condition.
Cryotherapy will induce a short duration temperature stress to the body.The hormones released during stress — cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine — increase our ability to withstand pain, fatigue, and hunger. They also decrease inflammation and related symptoms
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What should I expect after my session?
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Immediately after your 2.5 - 3 minute session, you should experience noticeable improvements in pain and joint discomfort and notice measurable reductions in joint swelling. Most patients also experience endorphin releases that are normally experienced only after intense exercise.
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How long will I feel the effects of Cryotherapy?
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For first time patients, the effects will last anywhere from six to eight hours, where the muscle spasticity is being reduced, when you feel endorphins and adrenaline release. After 10-20 treatments, the effects will start to last around two to three months.
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How often can I do Cryotherapy?
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The impact of Cryotherapy is cumulative, so it is important to do multiple sessions in a relatively short period of time before assessing how your body responds. The number of sessions and frequency depends on your goals.
For general well-being and health benefits: 5-10 initial sessions, then 1-2 sessions per week as maintenance.
For athletes: 10-15 sessions initially, then after each intense training session. Professional athletes also use Cryo before competitions due to the natural hormonal benefits and improved muscle performance that has been proven by research.
For patients suffering from auto-immune diseases, arthritis and other conditions, it is suggested that you work closely with your doctor to establish an optimal program.
In severe cases where a disease involves highly active processes, treatments can be done 2-3 times a day for 2-3 weeks before reducing the frequency.
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Can I use cryotherapy if I am claustrophobic?
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Yes, you can. The door to the Cryo cabin is never locked, and you can exit at any time. It is open at the top and your head is raised above the rim, allowing you to see in all directions and breathe natural air in the room.
Can I get in Cryo with my jewelry on?
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You do not want to get in Cryo with any metal that is touching your skin. The freezing temperatures will cause the metal to freeze and are likely to burn your skin.
Metal implants are fine as the cold temperatures are unlikely to reach far enough beneath the surface of your skin.
Skin burns or irritation can also happen if lotions have recently been applied, or if there is any moisture on the skin, such as perspiration.
Your Cryotherapist will provide you with a towel to dry off with.
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Will Cryotherapy strengthen my immune system?
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When you subject your body to freezing cold temperatures, after about 30 seconds, your skin feels cold enough to send warning signals to your brain.
The brain reacts by sending about 80% of your blood to your organs, in order to protect them. It’s important to note that even though your skin feels cold – triggering this message to the brain – in reality, the cold has only gone about 1/5 of an inch deep.
Once your session has ended and you begin to warm up, the rush of new, circulating blood helps rid your body of toxins.
With less toxins in it, your immune system is stronger. The immune system then increases the white blood cell count causing reduced inflammation and a positive, powerful immune system response.
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How will Cryotherapy improve my skin?
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Regular Whole Body Cryotherapy users with acne problems notice fewer skin blemishes over time. Those who have acne scars might also be pleasantly surprised by a reduction of their appearance.
Treatments speed up the natural biological cell regeneration process, efficiently eliminating dead cells in favor of new ones. This triggers an increased production of collagen, resulting in smoother, tighter, more even skin tone. This, in turn, reduces visible signs of aging, and help improve and reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles as a result of regenerated cells and enhanced collagen production.
As your immune system and general wellness naturally improve thanks to regular Cryo treatments, so will your hair and nails that will eventually get fuller and stronger.
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Will Cryotherapy help me lose weight?
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Regular Cryo treatments have shown promising results in stimulating weight loss by boosting metabolism. During a 3-minute treatment, you burn approximately 500 to 800 calories.
It requires a lot of energy to reheat your body back to normal temperature. This, consequently, helps reduce fat deposits. Improvements in skin elasticity and a decreased appearance of cellulite will then follow.
How does Cryotherapy reduce inflammation?
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One of the most popular Cryotherapy benefits that has been observed across numerous types of health issues, is the reduction in recurrence of internal and external inflammations.
Cryo helps to soothe skin redness for those with acne problems, and repress inflammatory symptoms of inflammatory diseases, including eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and even psoriatic arthritis.
Weekly Cryo treatment sessions will help halt the autoimmune process of excessive cell growth in the skin, common in diseases such as eczema, with no side effects.
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Can I do Cryotherapy if I have high blood pressure?
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Blood pressure is calculated by the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. The more blood that the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure.
Before every Cryotherapy session, your Cryotherapist will take your blood pressure. Your therapist will not permit you to do Cryo if your blood pressure is above 180/100 as a Cryo session is likely to raise blood pressure and put extra stress on your heart.
Fluctuations in blood pressure during the procedure by up to 10 points systolically are likely to occur but are not considered dangerous. This effect reverses after the end of the procedure, as peripheral circulation returns to normal.
Inflammation has been implicated in high blood pressure because it constricts blood vessels and contributes to the formation of cholesterol plaques. The vasoconstriction/vasodilation sequence initiated by Whole Body Cryotherapy can expand constricted arteries, therefore lowering cardiac workload and high blood pressure over time.
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Will Cryotherapy help with chronic conditions?
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Whole Body Cryotherapy can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, ankylosing spondylitis, ankylosing spondylosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, dermatitis and osteoporosis.
Studies have also shown that whole body cryotherapy is beneficial in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. This is because the procedure releases endorphins into the bloodstream, and one feels their mood increasing after a cryotherapy session. The endorphins interact with pain receptors, reducing pain perception. Cortisol levels are reduced, leaving you in high spirits.