Best Rehabs with Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, sometimes called cold therapy, is a medical and therapeutic technique that involves exposing specific body parts or your whole body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time. The term "cryotherapy" is derived from the Greek words "kryos," meaning cold, and "therapia," meaning cure. This treatment is often used for various medical and non-medical purposes. Cryotherapy is an increasingly popular treatment for certain types of cancer, like skin, cervical, and bone. It can also treat certain muscle or joint issues, chronic pain, and boost overall well-being.

How Does It Work?

While parts of your body are exposed to cold temperatures using substances like liquid nitrogen, several physiological responses occur. At its core, cryotherapy kills off abnormal cells. Blood is redirected to vital organs as your skin constricts to the temperature. Cold exposure also stimulates the activation of brown fat, which burns calories to produce heat and helps maintain body temperature. It can trigger the release of endorphins, natural painkillers and mood enhancers.

There are several forms of cryotherapy:

• Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC): For WBC, you’ll enter a special chamber where your whole body is exposed to very cold air. The extreme cold temperature in the cryotherapy machine stimulates your body's natural response to cold and can provide benefits such as reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and relieving muscle soreness.
• Localized Cryotherapy: This involves applying extremely cold temperatures to specific areas of the body using devices like ice packs, ice baths, or cryotherapy machines. It's commonly used to treat injuries, reduce pain and swelling, and promote healing in localized areas.
• Cryosurgery: This is a medical procedure where extremely cold temperatures are used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissues, such as warts or cancerous cells. It's a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical methods.
• Cryoablation: Doctors insert hollow needles that push out cold air into certain areas on the body to treat cancer. This kills off cancerous cells.
• Cryolipolysis: Also known as "fat freezing," this procedure uses controlled cooling to target and eliminate fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues. It's primarily used for cosmetic purposes.
• Cryo Saunas: These specialized chambers expose the body to cold nitrogen vapor. These saunas are used to reduce pain, boost metabolism, and improve overall well-being.

What Can I Expect During a Cryotherapy Session?

Before your session, you'll likely be provided with information on what to wear and how to prepare. If you're doing whole-body cryotherapy, you'll enter a special chamber equipped with pressurized cold air for treatment. If you’re getting localized cryotherapy, your doctor will have a smaller device targeting the cold air. The air temperature ranges from -148°F to -238°F (-100°C to -150°C), so during the session, you’ll be feeling an intense coldness in the treated area. This treatment only lasts a few minutes and will be monitored by a professional.

You will usually experience the physical effects soon after your session. Muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, and pain relief might last up to a few days. Improved mood and reduced stress appear immediately after a session and can last for a few hours.

Benefits and Risks of Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy can offer a plethora of mental and physical benefits. You might experience pain relief, reduced inflammation, boosted metabolism, and enhanced circulation. Mentally, cryotherapy can lead to increased energy levels, improved mood, and reduced stress. This could be due to the release of endorphins and the invigorating effects of cold exposure. And for certain conditions, having a localized treatment is a great option rather than treating the whole body.

While cryotherapy has gained popularity for its potential health benefits, it still carries certain risks. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to skin burns or other adverse reactions. People with certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular issues or cold sensitivity disorders, should talk with a healthcare professional to ensure that this is safe and appropriate for your specific needs.

Incorporating Cryotherapy into Your Treatment Plan

Talk to your care team to see if cryotherapy could be a supplement to your treatment plan. Discuss your goals and expectations for this treatment. Since there are various types of treatment, your team can help you find a professional that best fits your needs. Find a cadence that aligns with your other treatment methods. Keep track of your progress and any changes in your condition. Regularly communicate with your healthcare provider about your experiences, both positive and negative.

If you’re looking to add cryotherapy into your addiction or mental health recovery plan, be sure to add it into your mix of other evidence-based therapies to get the best results. You can explore cryotherapy as a complementary technique to manage stress and promote relaxation. Recovery needs a holistic approach, so inquire about therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), holistic activities like yoga, and lifestyle changes like exercise.