cryotherapy: What are the benefits?
Updated: 09/09/2024
Cryotherapy is an innovative therapeutic process that reduces an athlete's body temperature through extreme cold application. A cryotherapy chamber, like ours at The Body Lab, London, requires you to step in and remain at a cold temperature for a few minutes.
Our state-of-the-art dual chamber sits at a cool temperature of 110c, perfect for relaxing whole-body cryotherapy sessions. While the cool temperature can be a nice mix-up on a hot day, there are many recovery benefits to using one. Many athletes love using cryotherapy as a recovery option and may use it up to twice a day.
What Is Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC)?
Unlike directed cryotherapy, whole-body cryotherapy allows you to experience the full effects of cryotherapy with your entire body. This greatly enhances the experienced benefits and increases overall recovery, especially for those who regularly use their whole body.
Whole-body cryotherapy is still largely new as a treatment option, so while research suggests certain benefits, the tangible benefits you experience may differ from those of the person before or after you. We work with some fantastic athletes, business people, and active people alike. We are still receiving feedback on the various benefits they have experienced - some shared, some unique.
So, what are these benefits, and what can you expect if you have a round of cryotherapy? Many people experience benefits from their first session, but it is recommended to undergo cryotherapy regularly to continue seeing these benefits and improve recovery.
The Benefits of Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a somewhat unique recovery method where many people experience a wide array of benefits, which, in some cases, correlate to their physical and mental well-being before stepping into the chamber. We have seen a correlation between those stressed out about their busy lives and the benefit of mental clarity, reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms.
While these are subjective, we find these comments interesting, especially as we can see the change as our London members come and go each day.
However, some scientific studies have been conducted on cryotherapy, which we’ll use to explain some of the benefits below.
Helping to Treat Anxiety, Depression and Other Mood Disorders
From a purely observational perspective, we have seen many members use our cryotherapy chamber and explain how cold temperatures help boost their mood. Some have even said they like to use it because it helps them relax.
While we can’t draw this back to scientific evidence, these observations help us see that cryotherapy impacts everyone differently regarding mental and mindset benefits. Studies have shown that cryotherapy can be a useful method to improve standard pharmacological treatment, indicating that it does help reduce mental health decline.
Other studies and findings have shown that whole-body cryotherapy can be a tremendous adjuvant treatment for anxiety and mood disorders in a short-term space.
Reducing Inflammation and Arthritic Pain
One of the first benefits you'll hear when discussing cryotherapy is its ability to reduce inflammation. This comes from cryotherapy's ability to elicit a reduced inflammatory response without impacting muscle regeneration. Similarly, it has been seen that whole-body cryotherapy has considerably affected patients with arthritis, drastically decreasing pain levels and being noted as an essential part of the rehabilitation process.
We have seen that people who swim in ice-cold water or regularly engage in ice baths have higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines in their blood. Similarly, cryotherapy has been shown to improve antioxidant levels in the blood. These, paired together, can have a wide range of applications, like aiding in treating atopic dermatitis.
Reduce Headache/Migraine Symptoms
General headaches and migraines can range from mild to severe, with more severe forms drastically impacting our ability to function normally. For athletes, migraine or severe headaches can put them out of the gym or training until they recover.
Cryotherapy is an option to combat headache/migraine symptoms in athletes and non-athletes. It’s understood that this is achieved by cooling and passing the blood through the intracranial vessels, similar to placing ice packs on one's neck.
One study did just that—wrapping a neck wrap containing two ice packs—to test the effects of cooling on migraines. They found that the recorded pain in participants with migraines was significantly reduced after the neck wrap was applied. In another experiment on students, they discovered that using ice compresses relieved tension-type headaches with a feeling of relaxation, increased alertness, and delayed the onset of recurrences.
Cryotherapy’s impact on sleep quality
Regular cryotherapy sessions can improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Cold exposure helps regulate the nervous system by lowering cortisol levels, and as the body cools down, it stimulates the release of endorphins, leading to a sense of calmness and well-being. Our Kensington members often report improved sleep after a cryotherapy session later in the afternoon.
Cryotherapy for Skin Health
Cold exposure stimulates collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Additionally, cryotherapy can enhance circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This results in a brighter complexion and reduced signs of ageing, perfect for promoting a youthful appearance.
Guidelines for Cryotherapy Use
While cryotherapy can be a great tool for improving after-workout recovery, it is vital to ensure your safety. If you plan to use whole-body cryotherapy to treat a specific condition, always consult your doctor or health professional before doing so.
If given the all-clear, inform the team assisting you with your cryotherapy. Our London staff are trained in cryotherapy use and will be able to help direct you on the best use to aid that specific condition.
While active athletes may use the facility more than once a day, we suggest that non-athletes use it a maximum of once a day. For many, once every few days or once a week is enough to see benefits.
How to prepare for your Cryotherapy session in our Kensington, London Centre
Preparing ahead of time for your cryotherapy session ensures a smooth and easy experience. Here are some critical steps to follow:
Dress Appropriately
You’ll want to dress appropriately for your session to protect your extremities. At The Body Lab, we can provide the following for you:
Gloves
Headband
Socks
Face Mask
Shorts (If needed)
Of course, you can bring your own of the above if it’s more comfortable.
Hydrate
Stay hydrated before your session to ensure your body handles the cold effectively.
Remove Moisture
Ensure your skin is dry to avoid any discomfort during the session. A quick pat down before entering the chamber can help.
Avoid Lotions and oils
If you’re heading to our wellness centre specifically for a whole-body cryotherapy session, refrain from applying oils or lotions before your session, as these can affect your skin’s response to cold temperatures.
Is Cryotherapy for You?
Cryotherapy is an exciting recovery therapy in that, unlike other options, you are in control the entire time. Unlike other options requiring an injection, multiple tools, and equipment, you can control the frequency and duration of use. Whole-body cryotherapy is still being researched, and while this research is shedding more light on its benefits on our bodies, our members are still seeing a wide array of positive impacts from their first session.
Additionally, due to the ample space in our Cryotherapy chamber, we can offer the experience for up to two people simultaneously. You can enjoy a cryotherapy session and share the benefits with a partner or friend.
Interested in Cryotherapy?
Benefit from a state-of-the-art, extensive range of regenerative therapies and services focused on enhancing health optimisation inside and out. Our world-class gym has specialist equipment sourced globally, with bespoke personal training available on demand, including direct access to our dual cryotherapy chamber.
Get in touch with the team today to learn more, or visit our whole-body cryotherapy page.
