Cryotherapy Frequently Asked
Questions

There are numerous benefits to Whole-body Cryotherapy treatments. For athletes and those in training (marathons, triathlons, etc…), Whole Body and Localized Cryotherapy are used to help relieve chronic pain, decrease inflammation, speed recovery time, increase athletic performance, and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness. Whole Body Cryotherapy treatments are beneficial for everyday health, wellness, and beauty benefits. Since the outer layer of skin is lowered, capillaries and blood vessels undergo vasoconstriction, immediately followed by vasodilation. This causes the body to release toxins and feel good endorphins. The skins exposure to extreme cold also causes the body to increase its metabolic rate, burning between 500 to 800 calories. Some additional benefits include: pain relief from chronic medical conditions, increased circulation throughout your body, treatment of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. This cutting edge treatment assists with clearing of skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne, reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and tighter, more youthful looking skin.

We provide every client with a robe, socks, slippers, and gloves that are used to protect your extremities during the treatment. Men are required to wear boxers or underwear. All clients must remove all jewelry and exterior metal/body piercings. Additionally, it is recommended that you pat yourself dry with a towel and do not apply oils, lotions, or cologne immediately prior to treatment.

The Whole-body Cryosauna uses a gaseous form of nitrogen to lower skin surface temperature by 30-50 degrees during a two-three minute session. The exposed skin reacts to the extreme temperatures by sending messages to the brain that stimulate natural regulatory functions of the body. In addition, the skin’s exposure to these subzero temperatures trigger the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, endorphins, toxins, and increases oxygen circulation within the bloodstream.

The following conditions are contraindications to Whole Body Cryotherapy:

• Acute infections
• A History of Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
• Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
• Anemia (including Agammaglobulinemia, Cryoglobulinemia, Cryofibriongenemia)
• Anti-psychotic Meds (Neuroleptics)
• Bleeding/Clotting Disorders Cancer (Active)
• Chemotherapy (currently receiving)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Claustrophobia
• Cold Urticaria (cold induced rash/hives)
• Concussion
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or a known Circulatory Dysfunction
• Diabetes
• Diseases of the Central Nervous System
• Emaciation
• Fever
• Heart Arrhythmia
• Heart Disorders
• Heart Surgeries
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypotension BP <90/60
• Intolerance to cold or cold induced allergies
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Local Blood Circulation Disorders
• Neuropathies of the Sympathetic Nervous System
• Pacemaker
• Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD)
• Pregnancy
• Reactive Airway Disease
• Renaud’s Disease
• Severe or Cold Induced Asthma
• Severely Damaged Skin
• Symptomatic Cardiovascular Disease
• Symptomatic Lung Disorders
• Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure BP>160/100 (hypertension)
• Uncontrolled Seizure Disorder/Epilepsy
• Under the influence of Alcohol or other recreational drugs
• Unstable Angina Pectoris
• Valvular Heart Disease
• Vasculitis

Whole Body Cryotherapy treatments result in a very different response from the body compared to traditional ice baths. Two to three minutes in the Cryosauna, which is a cold, dry nitrogen vapor, is equivalent to 20-30 minutes in an ice bath without the uncomfortable feeling of submerging in ice cold water. The nitrogen vapor chills the top skin layers and cold receptors lowering the outer body’s temp 30-50 degrees. This causes the brain to restrict blood flow to your extremities, which is the bodies natural fight-or-flight response to extreme cold. The body reacts to the Whole Body Cryotherapy treatment by releasing anti-inflammatory proteins and endorphins resulting in super-charged blood. Fifteen minutes in an ice bath of cold water initially causes the body to move blood to the extremities and results in a lowering of the body’s core temperature. Ice baths do no supercharge the blood like Cryotherapy.

No, nitrogen is a friendly, non-toxic gas. We breathe nitrogen with every breath. Nitrogen composes 78% of the air that we breathe. The other components are 16% Oxygen, 1% Hydrogen and 5% other gases.

Yes. Cryotherapy involves dry, hyper-cooled air flowing over the skin surface, so the process never freezes skin tissues, muscles or organs. The result is only a “feeling” of being cold. The body is being tricked into believing that this extreme cold is life threatening. Cryotherapy is a dry cold with no moisture and tolerable even to those who consider themselves cold intolerant. Towards the end of the treatment, you may get a “pins and needles” sensation like it is falling asleep which will dissipate after the treatment.

Since the cold from Whole Body Cryotherapy only penetrates the surface of the skin, you will experience a chill to the outer surface of your body. Your vital organs, muscles, and tissues will all remain at their normal body temperature. Cryotherapy improves circulation throughout the body and stimulates the production of brown fat, so your future ability to tolerate cold should improve.

Whole Body Cryotherapy stimulates the body to release endorphins, the hormones that make us feel alert and energetic. The energized effects from each session typically last six to eight hours post treatment. The more treatments you do in close succession, the longer the endorphin high lasts. Many clients also report improvements in their sleep quality after Cryotherapy. Muscle aches and stiff joints also feel a sense of relief.

No. The immediate cold impact of the cryotherapy will raise the internal body temperature for a short period of time. The stimulation of the immune system can help decrease the severity and frequency of future colds.

Yes. Your entire head remains exposed to the room and above the Cryosauna. The door cannot lock and the staff member is there through the entire process until the session has ended. Treatments can end at any moment you desire.

Showering is not necessary before or after cryotherapy. The entire procedure is dry and does not make your skin wet. Many clients come by during their lunch break since the entire treatment is only 3 minutes long. We can accommodate your specific scheduling request.

Depending upon the condition being treated, it should initially take five to ten treatments in close succession (every other day) for the first 2 weeks. After this initial loading period, maintenance treatments should be at least once per week.

Whole Body Cryotherapy is ideal for athletes seeking muscle recovery, people with chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, and those seeking weight loss and skin rejuvenation. Cryotherapy is used post-surgically to accelerate the healing process and reduce pain without the side effects of pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Yes, an advantage of cryotherapy over ice therapy is that tissues and muscle are not frozen. Ten minutes of light exercise post-cryotherapy will induce more rapid vasodilation of the blood vessels and capillaries and extend the period of analgesia. It is also ideal post-workout to speed athletic recovery and ease sore muscles.

Cryotherapy is very well tolerated and has minimal risks. Systolic blood pressure during the procedure can increase by 10 points but will reverse after the procedure as peripheral circulation returns to normal. Allergic reactions to extreme cold, claustrophobia, anxiety are rare. Activation of some viral conditions (cold sores, etc.) due to stimulation of the immune system can occur. Protective clothing (socks, gloves, undergarments) must be dry in order to avoid damage to the skin in those areas. *Please see our full list of contraindications before coming in for your session.