Why cryotherapy based on liquid nitrogen-based chambers improves immune system which helps fighting against viruses.
Cryotherapy is a special type of low-temperature treatment used in sports rehabilitation for fast recovery from injuries, reduce inflammation and painful effects, as well as for weight loss and magical makeover of the body. The word cryotherapy consists of two parts: “cryo”, which means “cold”, and “therapy”, which means “treatment”. Using the right equipment for cryotherapy turns the science of exposing the entire human body to ultra-low temperatures for the recovery of the circulatory, nervous and energy systems into an effective healing technology. According to scientific and medical research, the optimal efficiency of cryotherapy procedures for the whole body is achieved by placing the body in temperatures up to -120-170°C (- 184-280F) for 1-3 minutes, which lowers the temperature of the skin surface. Applied non-invasive, short and extremely cold air pulses directed at a human body, provoke physiological reactions that promote treatment and recovery, which is used in many fields, including cosmetology, sports rehabilitation and medicine. Also, it is proven that controlled low-temperature conditions have an analgesic effect at the neuron level, which leads to positive mood, and therefore act as an antidepressant and treat sleep disorders. Cryotherapy treatment has become a popular practice that is increasingly used around the world, especially in sports rehabilitation where most professional athletes use cryotherapy as an effective method to improve muscle tone and accelerate regeneration after trauma. Attempts to use cryotherapy are aimed at getting rid of muscle pain, sprains and swelling after soft tissue damage or surgery. Cryotherapy includes a number of procedures: from the use of ice packs or immersion in ice baths (commonly called cold therapy) to the use of low-temperature chambers called cryochambers. It is documented that whole-body cryotherapy is used daily around the world to treat pain, inflammation, restore energy, improve health and reduce stress.
Cryotherapy brings to the public attention the benefits of cold therapy at extremely low temperatures. Whole-body cryotherapy is a therapy known for its fat-burning and analgesic properties obtained through exposure to ultra-low temperatures. Ultra-low temperature stimulates skin receptors, activating the reaction of the central nervous system, which releases endorphins, produced by the human body (natural pain inhibitors and improve the mood). Also, cryotherapy improves blood and lymph circulation, relieves inflammation by cleansing from toxins and metabolic products, supplying the blood with oxygen and nutrients necessary to stimulate cellular repair throughout the body. Many articles suggest that cryotherapy treatment has been accepted by many famous athletes and sports teams for muscle recovery and injury treatment.
Key benefits of cryotherapy
Essentially, cryotherapy is the process of using the therapeutic benefits of low temperatures. This form of therapy has been used variously since the 1700s to reduce pain and muscle spasms, speed up recovery, slow cell aging, and improve health. For decades, athletes have been soaking in barrels of cold water and ice baths, but thanks to a recent innovation, whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is now available in special chambers powered with liquid nitrogen and most often featured in modern references to cryotherapy. This type of therapy using extreme cold was invented in the 1970s in Japan, and it appeared in the United States, Europe, and other countries only in the last decade and gained wide popularity among athletes and people suffering from some chronic diseases, as well as among ordinary people and housewives who do not like ice baths.
Main uses of cryotherapy:
Although cryotherapy chambers belong to the group of equipment associated with sports rehabilitation and wellness, they have a wide range of uses in the health care and rehabilitation system.
Soothing the inflammation
Inflammation is the way the immune system fights an infection. Sometimes the immune system overreacts to stimuli, leading to chronic inflammation, which is associated with problems such as cancer, diabetes, depression, dementia, and arthritis. Thus, the soothing inflammation could, among other things, improve overall health and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.
Prevention of dementia
Since cryotherapy soothes inflammation, there is a possibility that it may reduce the risk of dementia. A 2012 academic paper suggests cryotherapy may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and other age-related forms of cognitive decline.
Cancer prevention and treatment
Since whole-body cryotherapy soothes inflammation, there is a possibility that it may also reduce the risk of cancer. Medical cryotherapy is a recognized way to treat certain forms of cancer. Doctors could use cryotherapy to freeze cancer cells on the skin or on the cervix, and sometimes to remove other cancers. There is a theory that cryotherapy sessions can help prevent the development of cancer by temporarily freezing the disease processes.
Reducing anxiety and depression
Pain relief and muscle recovery
Cryotherapy can reduce muscle pain as well as joint and muscle disorders such as arthritis. Moreover, it helps to heal sports injuries faster. For a long time, doctors have advised applying ice packs to damaged and painful muscle areas, as when the pack is removed, blood circulation improves, assisting in healing and pain relief.
Scientific information about the ability of cryotherapy to soothe inflammation suggests that it could treat mental disorders associated with inflammation. Some preliminary studies in such fields as cryotherapy and mental health also support this assumption.
New energy: the client feels a surge of energy and improved well-being after receiving the therapy sessions. That is why many well-known athletes recommend doing cryotherapy sessions before exercise to improve endurance and to gain additional energy for the body
Reducing the symptoms of eczema
A chronic inflammatory skin disease known as eczema can cause severely itchy dry areas on the skin. In 2008, there was a small study of people with eczema who stopped using drugs and tried cryotherapy. Many of them showed a reduction in eczema symptoms, although some complained of frostbite on small areas of the skin.
Migraine treatment
Cryotherapy against a headache carried out on the neck, can prevent migraines. In a 2013 study, scientists applied cryotherapy to the necks of people suffering from migraines. This treatment reduced their pain.
Weight loss
Cryotherapy alone will not cause weight loss, but it could help. In theory, cooling the body makes it work harder, activating its latent recovery potentials to keep warm. A few minutes in the cold can improve metabolism for the whole day. People no longer feel cold as their metabolism has adapted and accelerated in response to cold temperatures. Since cryotherapy helps with muscle pain, it can facilitate the recovery of physical fitness after injury. This potential weight loss is limited to people who are unable to exercise because of pain.
How does cryotherapy work?
Cryogenic medicine has been used for hundreds of years. The most common form is the use of ice baths to reduce muscle swelling and pain and to accelerate the healing of injuries. At ultra-low temperatures, the skin thermoreceptors are stimulated by the strong energy of vapor. As the skin cools to the required temperature, the injury healing cycle is activated.
Cryostimulation causes constriction of blood vessels, followed by rapid expansion, which has a natural analgesic effect on the patient and generates microcirculation in the affected area.
NATURAL HEALING: Cryostimulation activates natural defenses of a body. Short-term exposure to ultra-low temperatures does not affect the temperature inside a body. The procedures are safe for the environment.
ANESTHESIA: Cryostimulation has an analgesic effect on the body, so after the procedure, the pain is significantly reduced. Reducing the level of pain promotes natural movement. Increasing the strength and flexibility of joints and bones is the key to improving the metabolic process, as inflammation is delayed in the joints.
TIME SAVING: Unlike other “cooling” procedures, like the use of ice packs, where the patient has to remain motionless for a long time, cryotherapy procedures last up to 3 minutes. Cryostimulation shortens the healing period of the injury, so athletes can complete rehabilitation earlier and with fewer medications.
PLEASURE: Bathing in cold air vapors is much more comfortable than cold water methods since at ultra-low temperatures the vapors have almost zero moisture content. As a bonus, the cold triggers the production of endorphins called happiness hormones, which inspires follow-up visits.
collagen cryotherapy sessions
Production of additional collagen: Collagen is a special protein that can be found in all tissues of our body. It is synthesized by fibroblasts, connective tissue cells and, like all proteins, consists of amino acids. This protein provides firmness and elasticity of cartilage, joints, bones and mucous membranes. Collagen is the basis of connective tissue and represents one-third of all proteins in the body and three-quarters of the lean body weight. Under the influence of some factors, it can be destroyed, with the possible occurrence of various diseases associated with the brittleness of joints and bones. With increased stress, as well as with age, the amount of collagen in the body decreases, which can lead to injuries and diseases. Therefore, to athletes, the elderly and those who complain of problems with joints, cartilage, and tendons it is recommended to conduct cryotherapy sessions as a supplement every day to increase the production of collagen in the body. We can get this protein with food, in addition, our body can produce it on its own, but most often this amount is not enough, and it is the reason why cryotherapy is a good way to increase the amount of collagen in the body
improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation: skin receptors sense extreme temperature and trigger the natural process of increasing blood circulation and lymphatic outflow to heat the body and keep the body temperature normal. Extreme body functions, failing to be started at normal temperature and associated with vital functions, are activated, which leads to hardening and training of the body against negative influences