WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CRYOTHERAPY?

There are numerous proven benefits to Whole-body and local Cryotherapy treatments. 

For athletes, those who train for marathons etc or who exercise regularly, Whole Body and Localised Cryotherapy are used to help relieve chronic pain, decrease inflammation, speed recovery time, increase athletic performance, and reduce delayed onset muscle pain.

These treatments are hugely beneficial for everyday Health & Wellness, as well as having Beauty or Aesthetics benefits.

Since the temperature of outer layer of skin is lowered during a session, capillaries and blood vessels undergo vasoconstriction (reduce in diameter), which is then immediately followed by vasodilation, once the session is complete. This causes the body to release toxins as well as Endorphins (like we feel after a good exercise session).

Exposure to extreme cold air temperatures also causes the body to increase its metabolic rate, burning between 500 to 800 calories for approx 5-8 hours after a session. This aids in weight maintenance - frequent sessions then assist in ‘rebooting’ the body’s metabolism, thus maintaining a higher metabolic rate.

Some additional benefits include: pain relief from chronic medical conditions, increased circulation throughout the body, assisting with the treatment of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

This cutting edge treatment assists with the improvement of skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. There is a reduction in the appearance of cellulite, with tighter, more youthful looking skin.

WHAT DO I WEAR?

Every client is provided with a robe, socks and gloves that are used to protect your extremities during the treatment.

Men are required to wear boxers or underwear.  And Women underwear (no metal supports in bra).

All clients must remove all jewellery and metal/body piercings. It is recommended that the skin is dry and that NO oils, lotions, or perfume is applied prior to treatment.

HOW DOES CRYOTHERAPY WORK?

The Whole-body Cryocabin uses a gaseous form of nitrogen (Like Liquid Nitrogen) to lower skin surface temperature during a two-three minute session.

The surrounding air temperature can be dropped to a maximum of - 130 degrees Celsius.

The exposed skin reacts to the extreme temperatures thus promoting the natural regulatory functions of the body.

Additionally , the subzero air temperatures trigger the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, endorphins, toxins, and increases oxygen circulation within the bloodstream.

HOW COLD DOES IT GET?

The Cryocabin reaches temperatures as low as -130° C, lowering the clients skin surface temperature by 30-50 degrees.

This does sound very cold, but as the sessions are between 2-3 minutes, and each patient can stop the session whenever they want (max 3 minutes), and the body continually rotates to avoid any area of the body reaching lower temperatures than another, the cold is very tolerable.

Patients with hyper-aesthesia (feel pain or temperatures more than normal) may want to avoid Whole body treatments, or have shorter sessions.

WHO SHOULDN’T DO WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY?

The following conditions are contraindicated to undergoing Whole Body Cryotherapy:

HOW DOES WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY COMPARE TO AN ICE BATH?

Whole Body Cryotherapy treatments result in a very different response from the body compared to traditional ice baths. Most athletes especially those overseas where these treatments are more readily available and popular, no longer use ice baths.

Two to three minutes in the CryoCabin, which is a cold, dry nitrogen vapour, is equivalent to 20-30 minutes in an ice bath without the uncomfortable feeling of submerging in ice cold water. The nitrogen vapour chills the top skin layers and cold receptors lowering the outer body’s temp 30-50 degrees. This causes the brain to restrict blood flow to your extremities, which is the bodies natural fight-or-flight response to extreme cold. The body reacts to the Whole Body Cryotherapy treatment by releasing anti-inflammatory proteins and endorphins resulting in super-charged blood. Fifteen minutes in an ice bath of cold water initially causes the body to move blood to the extremities and results in a lowering of the body’s core temperature. Ice baths do not supercharge the blood like Cryotherapy.

IS NITROGEN GAS DANGEROUS?

No, nitrogen is a friendly, non-toxic gas. Nitrogen composes 78% of the air that we breathe. However, CryoRestore has Oxygen sensors within the treatment room to always ensure 100% safety.

IS CRYOTHERAPY COMFORTABLE?

Yes. 
Cryotherapy involves dry, hyper-cooled air flowing over the skin surface, so the process never freezes skin tissues, muscles or organs. The result is only a “feeling” of being cold.

The body is being tricked into believing that this extreme cold is life threatening. Cryotherapy is a dry cold with no moisture and tolerable even to those who consider themselves cold intolerant.  

Towards the end of the treatment, you may get a slight “pins and needles” sensation like it is falling asleep which will dissipate after the treatment.

WHAT IF I AM OFTEN COLD OR GET COLD EASILY?

Since the cold from Whole Body Cryotherapy only penetrates the surface of the skin, you will experience a chill to the outer surface of your body.

Your vital organs, muscles and tissues will all remain at their normal body temperature.

Full Body Cryotherapy improves circulation throughout the body and stimulates production of brown fat, so your future ability to tolerate cold should improve.

HOW DO I FEEL AFTER A SESSION?

Whole Body Cryotherapy stimulates the body to release endorphins, the hormones that make us feel alert and energetic.

The energised effects from each session typically last six to eight hours post treatment.
Often patients find improvement in their sleep quality after a treatment.

Muscle aches and stiff joints are also reduced due to the anti-inflammatory effect of this treatment.

CAN I CATCH A COLD FROM WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY?

No. The immediate cold impact of the cryotherapy will raise the internal body temperature for a short period of time.  The stimulation of the immune system can help decrease the severity and frequency of future colds.

I AM CLAUSTROPHOBIC. CAN I USE WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY?

Yes.  Your entire head remains exposed to the room and above the CryoCabin.

The door cannot lock and our Therapist is always there throughout the entire process until your session has ended.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE A SHOWER BEFORE OR AFTER A SESSION?

Showering is not necessary before or after cryotherapy.

The entire procedure is dry and does not make your skin wet.  Many clients come by during their lunch break since the entire treatment is only 3 minutes long.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL RESULTS?

Depending upon the condition being treated, it should initially take five to ten treatments in close succession (every other day) for the first 2 weeks.

After this initial loading period, maintenance treatments should be at least once per week, depending on your needs and wants.

WHO SHOULD USE WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY?

Whole Body Cryotherapy is ideal for athletes seeking muscle recovery, people with chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, and those seeking weight loss and skin rejuvenation.

Cryotherapy is used post-surgically to accelerate the healing process and reduce pain without the side effects of pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Younger clients under the age of 16, can use Whole Body Cryotherapy with parent’s consent, but not below the age of 14 years.

IS EXERCISE RECOMMENDED AFTER THE CRYOTHERAPY SESSION?

Yes, an advantage of cryotherapy over ice therapy is that tissues and muscle are not frozen.

Ten minutes of light exercise post cryotherapy will induce more rapid vasodilation of the blood vessels and capillaries and extend the period of analgesia.

It is also ideal post-workout to speed athletic recovery and ease sore muscles.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY?

Cryotherapy is very well tolerated and has minimal risks.

Systolic blood pressure during the procedure can increase by 10 points but will reverse after the procedure as peripheral circulation returns to normal.

Allergic reactions to extreme cold (chilblain), claustrophobia, anxiety are rare.

Activation of some viral conditions (cold sores, etc.) due to stimulation of the immune system can occur, so please be sure to notify us of any conditions you may have. 

Protective clothing (socks, gloves, undergarments) must be dry in order to avoid chilblains. We provide each patient with thermal gloves, socks and gowns.