Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is a treatment that claims to treat a range of health conditions from asthma to Alzheimer's. It is the latest trend at medical spas and wellness centers. What is cryotherapy? Is it safe? Does it work?
What is whole body cryotherapy WBC?
Whole body cryotherapy is a cold therapy in which the body is super-cooled for health purposes. Cryotherapy machines use various techniques like ice packs or cold water immersion to achieve this. The treatment can be performed on the whole body or a localized area.
During whole body cryotherapy, a person is exposed to ultra-low temperatures in the range of minus 200-300 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 110-140 degrees Centigrade.
What is cryotherapy used to treat?
Providers of whole body cryotherapy use it to treat various health conditions, such as asthma, anxiety and depression, Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia, migraines, insomnia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, low-grade tumors, and eczema. WBC is also used to treat pain and help with weight loss.
What are the benefits of cryotherapy?
Proponents of this WBC therapy believe it improves blood circulation, speeds up recovery from injury, increases metabolism, and relieves joint and muscle pain, among other things.
Does cryotherapy help with weight loss?
One of the most common uses of cryotherapy is to help with weight loss. The theory is that the extreme cold temperatures kill the fat cells. The body later removes the dead fatty tissue through the liver, leading to a permanent removal of the fat from the body. Some studies have shown that cryotherapy activates a process called cold-induced thermogenesis, leading to an overall loss in body mass.
However, WBC is not without risks. Exposure to subzero temperatures can have side effects like numbness, redness, tingling, and skin irritation.
Due to the potential for nerve injury, cryotherapy for weight loss is not recommended in people who have diabetes or other conditions that can cause nerve damage. It is highly recommended to consult a health care provider before undergoing cryotherapy treatment. Also, whole body cryotherapy should always be done under the supervision of a trained provider to reduce the risk of complications.
Cryotherapy: Can it treat pain?
Researchers have found that whole body cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen or ice baths for 3-5 minutes a day for 7-10 days can help the body recover from muscle soreness due to exercise as well as more severe sports injuries. Experts say the WBC can provide pain relief by reducing swelling and nerve activity through lowering of the skin temperature.
What happens during cryotherapy?
WBC is usually offered at medical spas or wellness centers. It involves standing in an enclosed space for 2-4 minutes of cold therapy. Some WBC chambers are designed such that several people can stand or sit in them for a few minutes. The freezing temperatures are usually generated by liquid nitrogen. Some WBC devices work by circulating cold air through the cryogenic chamber.
Cold chambers may be designed so that a person's head is out but the rest of the body is exposed to the cold temperatures. Unless it is an ice bath with cold water, the treatment is usually dry. Clients may, however, be asked to wear socks, gloves, ear muffs, and a face mask to protect the nose.
The treatment plan for WBC depends on the health condition being treated, but it is generally recommended that clients take 5-10 cryotherapy sessions spaced 1-2 days apart (roughly 3 times a week) to maximize the results. This can be followed by sessions spaced further apart (once every 1-2 weeks) to maintain or improve the results. There is no downtime or recovery period after WBC.
Who should not use cryotherapy?
People with certain health conditions are not good candidates for cryotherapy. This includes cryoglobulinemia, Raynaud disease, hypothyroidism, and severe anemia, among others. Individuals with open wounds, ulcers, or gangrene should avoid WBC, as should those with disorders of blood circulation. Lastly, people with mental disorders may not be good candidates for cryotherapy due to an inability to follow directions during the procedure. It is always a good idea to give the WBC provider your complete health information to ensure the treatment will be safe for you.
Potential benefits of cryotherapy
Some of the claimed benefits of whole body cryotherapy are listed below:
Migraine headaches
Cryotherapy can potentially numb the nerves in the neck area and relieve migraine symptoms. Studies have shown that placing an ice pack on the skin of the neck significantly reduces migraine pain.
Nerve irritation
People struggling with sports injuries may benefit from ice pack cryotherapy. Just like ice packs are helpful for sore muscles, the cold also numbs irritated nerves. This can help with problems like neuromas or pinched nerves.
Arthritic pain
Cryotherapy has been found to offer significant pain relief in people with arthritis. An added benefit is that because of the pain reduction obtained through WBC, patients can participate in more aggressive physical therapy, which ultimately makes the rehabilitation more effective.
Mood disorders
There is some evidence that exposure to cold temperatures can lead to the release of "happy hormones" like endorphins, which has a positive effect on a person's mood. Therefore, cryotherapy has been proposed as a short term treatment for anxiety and depression.
Low-grade tumors
Localized cryotherapy to targeted areas may work like cryosurgery in that it can freeze and kill cancer cells. This has been tried for some low-risk tumors like cancer of the prostate gland.
Cryosurgery is a treatment that involves the use of liquid nitrogen or compressed argon gas. It is also called cryoablation and uses freezing temperatures to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryosurgery is used to treat certain cancers or pre-cancerous skin cells.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
WBC is believed to have an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect. More evidence is needed, but there are indications that it can help prevent Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.
Skin conditions
Cryotherapy has an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect and can, therefore, help chronic inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and acne. Cryotherapy facials are a cosmetic procedure that are used to give the skin a more youthful, glowing appearance.
Does whole body cryotherapy actually work?
The jury is out on the health benefits of whole body cryotherapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the efficacy of WBC in improving a person's overall health. The FDA has not approved any cryotherapy device for specific medical conditions. Therefore, cryotherapy should never be used as a substitute for recommended medical treatments because this can lead to a lack of improvement or worsening of the health condition. If you want to try cryotherapy, it is best to talk to a doctor first for medical advice.
Safety, risks, and side effects: What are the downsides of cryotherapy?
Common short term adverse effects of cryotherapy include redness, irritation, numbness and tingling of the skin. These side effects are usually temporary and resolve on their own. However, WBC can lead to more serious complications, especially if it is used for longer than recommended. Also, the long term effects of cryotherapy on circulation and metabolism are not known.
Cryotherapy that uses liquid nitrogen is potentially dangerous. The risks include asphyxiation where the nitrogen vapors in the room can lower oxygen availability and lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which can cause loss of consciousness. Clients also run the risk of burn from the ice pack, frost bite, or eye injury from extreme cold temperatures. Cold panniculitis, a type of inflammatory injury, can occur in the areas exposed to cold.
Tips for cryotherapy
If you are undergoing cryotherapy for a specific medical condition, it is highly recommended that you talk to your treating physicians for medical advice before using WBC.
During WBC, be sure to follow all instructions carefully. You should wear the appropriate gear like socks, gloves, face mask, and ear muffs to protect against frostbite and cold injury.
If you are undergoing cryosurgery in a medical office, your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare.
The bottom line on whole body cryotherapy
The evidence supporting the health benefits of cryotherapy is anecdotal. There is no solid scientific evidence to support that WBC can treat specific health conditions. Therefore, it is highly advisable to seek the opinion of a healthcare provider and follow the advice of your doctors. It is NOT a good idea to simply go to medical spas or wellness centers and get cryotherapy done without a doctor's medical advice diagnosis or treatment.
Finding a cryotherapy provider
The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced providers for cryotherapy to remove skin lesions or even whole body cryotherapy in your area. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Want to learn about cryotherapy and how it can benefit you? Try the MeTime app now!
