Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) was first used in Japan by Dr. Toshiro Yamauchi in the late 1970s to treat pain and rheumatoid arthritis. The therapy then became popular in Europe where it’s been used for more than 30 years prior to coming to the United States. Studies conducted over the last two decades have established WBC as a powerful treatment for inflammatory disorders, pain management and injuries.
Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is a treatment provided in a cryosauna. The customer stands in a nitrogen-cooled cryosauna (or cryochamber) for a duration of 1-3 minutes. During the session, the skin’s temperature lowers, stimulated receptors activate a central nervous system response (fight or flight) and vasoconstriction occurs. During this surface cooling process, the blood rushes to the core of the body to protect vital organs. At the end of the session, the body immediately starts the rewarming process, vasodilation begins and supplies the body and extremities with newly oxygenated blood.
Below are some of the common benefits that customers of cryotherapy have reported:
- Reduction of inflammation
- Relief of joint and muscle pain
- Easing of muscle soreness
- Increased energy
- Improved mood
- Elevated overall sense of well-being
Yes, cryotherapy has been used in Asia and Europe for over 30 years for pain and therapeutic treatments. Cryotherapy has been available in the United States for over 10 years. The session is safe and each client will be monitored by a trained operator for the duration to ensure the customer’s comfort and safety.
Cryosaunas have been evaluated by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and they have concluded that cryosaunas are not medical devices. Cryosaunas are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.
The following is a list of conditions that are contraindicated to have a cryotherapy session. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with your personal physician to obtain clearance for a cryotherapy session. Untreated hypertension, Recent cardiovascular issues such as heart attack, Unstable angina pectoris, Arrhythmia Angina, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or circulatory dysfunction, Pacemaker, Cold intolerance/allergy to cold, Cold-activated asthma, Acute or recent cerebrovascular accident, Uncontrolled seizures, Raynaud’s Syndrome, Flu, fever, or Pregnancy.
One of the biggest advantages of the whole body cryotherapy is its time convenience. A cryotherapy session lasts no longer than three (3) minutes!
Our sessions are limited to a maximum of 3 minutes. This will provide the optimal level of exposure but will also allow a more comfortable transition from room temperature to subzero temperatures. A cryotherapy session feels like standing in front of an open freezer while naked.
Clients will wear foot and hand protection during the session. Men will wear boxers. Women may enter nude. All items will be provided by Rocky Mountain Cryotherapy. All other clothing &jewlrey must be removed to allow the cooling air to fully penetrate the skin.
Many experience noticeable differences after just one treatment, but best results typically occur when multiple sessions are completed within a one to three week time frame.
Many people feel great after the first treatment because of the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevator. This lift may last for several hours to several days. Depending on your physical condition, you may feel immediate relief from joint and muscle pain, improved energy, and increased flexibility that will last for several hours or even days.
Absolutely not! From the young to the old, most everyone can experience and feel the results of even just one cryotherapy session.
No, in fact you want to be completely dry before a cryotherapy session. A cryotherapy session is completely dry and does not make your skin wet.
Those that have done cryotherapy just once or even multiple times, haven’t reported a cryotherapy session as being so uncomfortable that they wouldn’t do it again. Yes, it’s cold, but it’s a DRY cold that is very tolerable, especially for the short period of time. The cryotherapy session never freezes the skin tissues or organs. Only the sensation of being cold is perceived.
Absolutely. As long as the plate or joint replacement is covered by skin, you can reap the benefits of cryotherapy. In fact, many have experienced improved recovery times after surgery and less pain in the joint.
Yes. Because it’s open at the top and adjusted to your height, your head and neck are always above the opening. Also, the door is closed – but not locked – so you always have control. Be sure to communicate your concerns to your cryotherapy attendant so that they can closely monitor the session.
Multiple research studies have been published in medical journals about the effects of whole body cryotherapy, and in many European countries the treatments are covered by medical insurance policies. At this time, in the United States, whole body cryotherapy is considered a non-medical wellness modality. As such, health insurances do not currently offer reimbursements for the service.
No, it isn’t. Nitrogen is a non-toxic, odorless, natural gas. The air that we breathe is made up of 20% Oxygen, 78% Nitrogen and 2% of other components. Although nitrogen is non-toxic, when released into an enclosed space it can displace oxygen, and therefore presents an asphyxiation hazard. Rocky Mountain Cryotherapy is equipped with an oxygen sensor used as a safety precaution when working with nitrogen. It will sound an alert if the oxygen level is below a set level. Additionally, a cryosauna technician will remain with you for the duration of the treatment.
You are simply unable to achieve the same results with an ice bath as you experience in cryotherapy. During an ice bath, the cold actually penetrates into deeper skin tissue and can be damaging to the skin. In a cryosauna, the deeper layers of the skin are never penetrated, yet the body responds on a deeper level.
Each person will have a different experience and feel differently … from pain reduction and relief of muscle soreness to increased energy levels and sleeping better. The more sessions of cryotherapy experienced, the better and/or more successful the benefits.
Yes. In fact, it is recommended. There will be positive results and benefits at either time.
No. A cold is caused by contact with fluids that contain a cold virus – these are launched into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There are no fluids or contact with fluids during a cryotherapy session.
For best results, 2-3 times a week. It is safe to have two sessions in a day with a 4+ hour break, but it is truly recommended only for those in heavy training or rehab.
In general, you will have to be able to stand comfortably within the cryosauna without touching the sides and be tall enough (with the platform adjusted) to have your head out of the top of the cryosaunain order to have a cryotherapy experience.
Yes and no. Clients under age 18 will be required to fill out a parental consent form before their first session. Consult with your physician for best practices and recommendations.
Whole body cryotherapy is very well tolerated for most and has minimal risks. Those risks include: fluctuations in blood pressure during the procedure by up to 10 points systolic (this effect reverses after the end of the procedure, as peripheral circulation returns to normal); allergic reaction to extreme cold (rare); and activation of some viral conditions (cold sores) etc. due to stimulation of the immune system.