Chronic pain sufferers often look for alternative non-invasive ways to treat pain. One option that is commonly overlooked is whole body cryotherapy or WBC. This treatment involves a special chamber called a cryosauna. Anyone who has chronic pain from sports injuries, surgery or an illness can benefit from WBC.
How Whole Body Cryotherapy Works
The process starts when you enter the cryosauna. It completely surrounds your body. The internal chamber is filled with cold air that is created by liquid nitrogen, which allows for extremely cold temperatures to develop quickly. This is a quick breakdown of the temperature drop:
- Within the first 30 seconds, the temperature drops below freezing.
- Within the first 90 seconds, the temperature is colder than -100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- By the end of the session, the temperature is colder than -200 degrees.
When the skin’s temperature drops rapidly, it causes vasoconstriction. This is narrowing of the blood vessels, which results in better blood flow. Increased blood flow to areas where blood does not normally flow as heavily is a benefit. Blood reaches the capillaries and other smaller vessels, and it delivers vital nutrients, enzymes and oxygen. When this happens, toxins are also flushed from the organs, muscle tissues and joints.
Oxygen and nutrients help speed up healing. Also, this process triggers other reactions in the body. One that is significant to pain sufferers is the release of endorphins. When endorphins are released, pain is reduced more.
Benefits Of Cryotherapy
In addition to pain reduction, cryotherapy can improve your quality of life in other ways. Many people who have chronic pain have difficulty maintaining an exercise routine or a proper diet. Another effect of increased blood flow is a metabolic boost. You may find it easier to exercise and lose weight.
If your pain is due to inflammation, cryotherapy is an excellent natural way to reduce inflammation. The result is an overall feeling of vitality. Inflammation may be suppressed for up to a few weeks in some individuals. Regular cryotherapy treatments may be recommended by a specialist.
Although some people think that the application of cold sounds uncomfortable, this is a painless procedure. It is common to feel chilled. However, people do not develop pain from the rapid cooling. Many people describe the feeling as relaxing or therapeutic. The entire treatment only lasts up to a few minutes to prevent frostbite. Cryotherapy is not the same as applying ice packs.
Where To Find WBC
If you live in New York City, Advanced Cryo NYC can help you set up a personalized cryotherapy treatment plan. We offer WBC as a non-invasive solution to chronic pain. Also, we offer local cryo, which is a concentrated cold treatment for a specific injured area. It is ideal for surgery recovery or an injury in one small area.
Also, we provide cryofacials. These treatments enhance collagen production to give your skin a fuller, brighter and younger look. To learn more or to set up an appointment, please contact us. Our clinic is easy to get to whether you travel by subway, bus or car.
