Have you come across the term ‘cryotherapy?’
It sounds like it belongs in a science fiction film where it has something to do with freezing oneself and then thawing yourself out in the future (that’s cryogenics).
Well, that’s not the case!
Cryotherapy is a novel type of longevity health treatment that has shown some promise in preliminary tests.
Let’s have a closer look at what cryotherapy is, its benefits, and risk.
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What Exactly is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, which literally translates to ‘cold therapy’, is a treatment that involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for many minutes. Cryoablation is another name for this procedure.
To achieve the extreme cold temperature, your doctor or practitioner will employ a material like liquid nitrogen or argon gas.
What is cryotherapy used for? It can be used to treat a number of skin disorders as well as certain cancers, such as prostate and liver cancer. This therapy can be used to treat tissue both topically and internally.
Types of Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy treatment is categorised in two groups: localised and whole body cryotherapy.
Localised Cryotherapy: It can be delivered in a variety of ways, including ice packs, ice massage, coolant sprays, ice baths, and even probes inserted into the specific area of the skin.
Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC): It is based on the idea that immersing the body in extremely cold air for several minutes can provide a variety of health benefits.
The individual will stand in a small enclosure or enclosed chamber that surrounds their body but has a top entrance for their head. The temperature within the cage will decrease to 200–300°F and the person will be in the ultra-cold air for two to four minutes.
Benefits of Cryotherapy
According to preliminary research, cryotherapy appears to provide the following advantages:
1- Reduces Migraine Symptoms
By chilling and numbing nerves in the neck, cryotherapy can help alleviate migraines.
According to one study, placing a neck wrap comprising two cold ice packs to the carotid arteries in the neck reduced migraine symptoms significantly. This is considered to act by lowering the temperature of blood travelling through cerebral arteries.
2- Pain Relief and Muscle Healing
Cryotherapy can be used to treat muscle pain as well as various joint and muscle problems including arthritis. It may also hasten the recovery of athletic injuries.
Ice packs have long been advised by doctors for injured or aching muscles. According to research studies, cryotherapy along with ice packs was found to be effective in reducing the negative consequences of hard exercise. In another study, it was found that cryotherapy provided short relief from the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
3- May Help Treat Low-risk Tumours
Moving next to the benefits of cryotherapy, it can help in the treatment of low-risk tumours.
Cryotherapy that is targeted and localised can be utilised to treat cancer. It’s known as ‘cryosurgery’. It works by encasing cancer cells in ice crystals and freezing them. It’s now being used to treat some low-risk malignancies in cancer patients, particularly prostate cancer patients.
4- Treats Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by dry, itchy skin. Because cryotherapy can boost antioxidant levels in the blood while also reducing inflammation, it’s no surprise that both localised and whole-body cryotherapy can aid with atopic dermatitis treatment.
5- Reduces Anxiety and Depression
Cryotherapy’s ability to reduce inflammation suggests that it could be used to treat mental health issues associated with inflammation. This claim is backed up by preliminary research on cryotherapy and mental health. It can help with the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Learn about natural remedies for anxiety and depression.
6- Numbs Nerve Irritation
Cryotherapy has been used to treat injuries by many athletes for years, and one of the reasons is because it can numb pain. Doctors will use a small probe implanted into nearby tissue to treat the afflicted area. Pinched nerves or neuromas, chronic pain, and even acute traumas can all benefit from this treatment.
7- Cryotherapy for Weight Loss
Weight loss has been suggested as a primary advantage of cryotherapy by some. The premise behind cryotherapy as a weight reduction aid is sound: reducing your temperature forces your body to work harder to maintain a healthy temperature, resulting in calories being burned.
While it’s an intriguing concept, a study found that even after 10 full sessions, cryotherapy had no effect on weight.
However, as cryotherapy relieves muscular pain, it may make it simpler to get back into shape after an accident. So, this possible weight reduction benefit of cryotherapy is only available to those who are unable or unwilling to exercise for weight loss due to pain.
Risks and Side Effects
Numbness, tingling, redness, and irritation of the skin are the most typical side effects of any type of cryotherapy. Almost all of these side effects are only transient. If they don’t go away within 24 hours, make an appointment with your doctor.
Things to keep in mind!!!
Cryotherapy should never be used for longer than is recommended for the type of therapy you’re receiving. This would take around four minutes for whole-body cryotherapy. If you’re using an ice pack or an ice bath at home, don’t leave it on for longer than 20 minutes. Also, to avoid damaging your skin, wrap ice packs in a towel.
In addition, cryotherapy should not be used by people who have diabetes or any other ailment that affects their nerves.
Most Important Takeaways About Cryotherapy
If you’re thinking about trying cryotherapy, talk to your doctor first to be sure it’s a good (and safe) fit for you. To consult with the best medical specialists, you can make an appointment via Healthwire.pk.
It’s also crucial to remember that research into the benefits of cryotherapy is still in its early phases, so it’s impossible to verify whether or not the claims made by cryotherapy clinics are accurate. It might be worth a go if you have the time, money, and a tolerance for extreme cold. But don’t expect it to be a miracle cure just yet.
