When it comes to health and wellness, people always look for the latest trend or the next big thing. Though regularly used since the 1970s, cryotherapy has gained more popularity as the years go by. This cutting-edge process involves exposing parts of the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short duration. But what is cryotherapy and its potential benefits, and how can it support your health and recovery? 

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy, meaning cold healing (from the Greek ‘cryotherapeia’), involves subjecting the body to temperatures as low as around -200°F (-129°C) for short periods. Cryotherapy can happen either through whole-body cryotherapy, where you step inside a cryo-pod or chamber, or localised cryotherapy that targets specific areas using ice packs, swabs, or sprays.

Due to the extreme temperatures, cryotherapy treatment usually lasts no more than a few minutes. It’s generally used for therapeutic healing, including nerve and joint pain, skin conditions, and treating internal or external cancerous or pre-cancerous cells.

How does cryotherapy work?

For whole-body cryotherapy, the sudden exposure to such extreme cold stimulates the body's natural responses, pushing it into a ‘fight or flight’ survival mode, redirecting blood flow to the body’s vital organs. The treatment is essentially the same for localised cryotherapy but only targets specific areas.

In both treatments, the cold constricts the blood vessels, reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of damaged tissue. As the body warms up after the treatment, the rush of nutrient-rich blood helps the repair and rejuvenation of cells. This response not only helps relieve pain but can also enhance mood and energy levels. 

The benefits of cryotherapy

Cryotherapy has effectively managed various pain issues, from chronic conditions like arthritis to sports strains and injuries. The numbing effect of the cold can provide immediate relief, and regular sessions may help towards a long-term reduction in pain. Here are some of the symptoms cryotherapy can help treat:

Whole-body cryotherapy

- Rheumatoid arthritis

- Osteoarthritis

- Tendonitis

- Psoriasis, eczema, and skin cancers

Localised cryotherapy

- Pinched nerves

- Muscle soreness

- Muscle and ligament strain

- Joint mobility

- Targeted cancer treatment

Cryotherapy side effects

While cryotherapy offers obvious benefits, as with most treatments, there may be side effects. So, caution and professional advice are recommended beforehand, especially if you have any medical conditions, such as cardiovascular issues or diabetes, or if you’re pregnant.

Any cryotherapy treatment could have side effects affecting your skin, including redness, irritation, tingling, or even mild numbing. However, these should all be temporary, relieving or disappearing after 24hrs. Proper supervision during any cryotherapy session is essential and should last no longer than advised, especially for WBC, where individual treatments should last around four minutes. 

Stay chilled and healthy with Thirsty Work

Cryotherapy potentially benefits many people and could promise to become an integral part of any comprehensive health and recovery process. So, if you’re preparing to start a course of cryotherapy treatment, one thing you must remember to do before any treatment is to stay hydrated, which can help improve your experience and the results.

And, of course, Thirsty Work advocates staying hydrated at all times anyway, and our range of bottled water coolers and mains-fed water coolers will help you do just that. So why not talk to our customer service team about getting your free quote or starting your 10-day free trial on a water cooler of your choice? Call Thirsty Work on 01392 877 172, email hello@thirstywork.com, or message us today for a healthier lifestyle.