Can anyone get cryotherapy? Cryotherapy is the application of subzero temperatures to the body or parts of the body for the purpose of healing. While it’s generally considered safe, there are some limitations:

• Children
• Pregnant women
• People with high blood pressure and heart conditions

These groups of people should avoid cryotherapy, but for everyone else it may be an option.

How is Cryotherapy Administered?

This will vary by the reason for the therapy. It may involve sitting in a tank of subzero vapors for three to five minutes. It may also be applied locally with a special wand, for example, to an inflamed joint or just to the face.

Cryotherapy is also used by doctors to freeze off warts and other skin growths.

Benefits of Cryotherapy

Although the benefits of cryotherapy are not well-understood at this time, it may possibly improve health, relieve pain, fight inflammation and even prolong life.

Pain Relief for Muscles and Joints

Using cold packs to ease the pain of sore muscles is a common way to get relief. The pack helps numb the pain, and when it’s removed, there may be increased blood flow to the area. Cryotherapy may be helpful to athletes to help injuries received during sports activities.

Weight Loss

Cryotherapy will not directly cause weight loss, but it may increase body metabolism rates. The idea behind this is that the extreme cold will force the body to work harder to keep warm, therefore raising the metabolic rate. This rate may stay at a higher levels for as much as a day. During this time, the body may be burning calories faster.

Inflammation

This is the body’s way of fighting infection and healing injuries. If you cut your finger, your body will initiate an inflammatory response. This is called a localized inflammation and is healthy. However, when inflammation persists in the absence of injury, this is called systemic inflammation. This is not healthy and may contribute to some diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dementia. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, may also be linked to systemic inflammation.

Some studies have suggested that cryotherapy may help relieve pain and speed healing for sore, inflamed muscles and joints.

Cancer and Dementia

Although there is no medical evidence that cryotherapy cures either of these, it may still indirectly protect against them by reducing the inflammation suspected of causing them in the first place.

Anxiety and Depression

A small 2008 study indicated that cryotherapy may reduce symptoms of these mental disorders by 50 percent when compared to a control group.

Eczema

This is stubborn inflammatory skin condition known to be highly resistant to standard treatments. It causes patches of red, irritated, flaky, itchy skin and can appear anywhere on the body. Patches may break open and bleed. Eczema may also cause social isolation. Another small 2008 study indicated that cryotherapy may help to improve eczema symptoms.

Migraine Headaches

These are extremely painful headaches caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the head. Thought to be linked somehow to the female hormone estrogen, migraines are far more common in women. Migraines also cause nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sounds and odors. In a 2013 study, researchers applied localized cryotherapy to those experiencing a migraine. Pain was reduced, although not eliminated. Still, cryotherapy may help with migraine pain.

Cryotherapy Facials

In this procedure, liquid nitrogen, which is more commonly known as dry ice, is applied to the face for three to five minutes. Possible benefits include a more youthful appearance to the skin with a healthy, rosy glow. Facials are typically affordable and there is no downtime. Cryotherapy facials increase blood flow to the face and may result in firmer skin.

Medical Uses for Cryotherapy

Doctors also use this treatment to remove skin warts, skin tags and even some forms of cancer. This is also called cryoablation or cryosurgery.

Get in Touch

If you’d like to make an appointment for a consultation for cryosurgery, our number is 205-352-9141. You may also visit our website here: Our professional staff members will answer your questions and set an appointment for you with one of our top-rated physicians. We look forward to your call.