Cryotherapy has been used for years to treat targeted areas of the body. Doctors have used this type of treatment in the removal of warts or even cancer cells. Today, however, cryotherapy has evolved and includes whole-body therapies that can be used for a variety of reasons. Let's learn more about this treatment option.

What Is It?

Cryotherapy is short for cryogenic therapy. It refers to any type of therapy that uses freezing or near-freezing temperatures for some type of treatment. Whole-body cryotherapy rapidly cools the skin's surface, triggering a fight-or-flight response in the body and brain. Local cryotherapy targets a specific area to "freeze" an area of pain.

Whole-body cryotherapy has started to grow in popularity in the last few years. This type of therapy includes standing or sitting in a cryo-chamber for a few minutes. Your body is exposed to sub-zero temps and little clothing is worn. According to Forbes, whole-body cryotherapy will immerse you in temperatures up to -200 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Are the Benefits?

Cryotherapy can often be performed at a specialized medical office, and many patients say it comes with numerous benefits. One of the most significant claims, in our experience, is that it reduces inflammation. This can be a crucial form of pain relief therapy for people suffering from chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia or arthritis. This may be a good way to avoid or decrease pain medications that have harsh side effects. This type of therapy can be used along with regular chiropractic care.

Another benefit of cryotherapy is muscle recovery. This can be used after sports training or working out. Serious athletes and bodybuilders often use this to increase their stamina and speed muscle recovery between workouts. This is one benefit that has caused large growth within the industry.

Some research supports that some forms of cryotherapy can help prevent dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. Dementia is believed to be caused by inflammation. Since cryotherapy can decrease inflammation, this can assist with improving cognitive decline, in our experience.

These are just some of the ways cryotherapy can be used to improve your health and wellness. If you're interested in learning more, or you'd like to schedule an appointment, please contact Elevate Stretch + Cryo today. We are here for your chiropractic and health needs.