Whole- Body Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, otherwise known as cold therapy, is the use of freezing or near-freezing temperatures for medical therapy. Cryotherapy was developed in 1970 by Japanese rheumatologist Toshima Yamaguchi. It was then introduced to the US the following decade. Unlike many innovations developed throughout the last few decades, cryotherapy is not FDA-approved and is deemed dangerous. The FDA does not take part in regulating cryotherapy or its cryo chambers and they are not seen as medical devices. However, they have recognized select devices upon strict regulations for government or military purchasing. Due to cryotherapy being fairly new, many potential benefits have not been proven or discovered yet. 

The most common form of cryotherapy is used non-medically in spa settings. Cryotherapy facials apply liquid nitrogen over for face for two to three minutes, giving the skin a dewy, youthful, brightened look. In rare cases, symptoms of numbness, tingling, or frostbite may occur, which is why it is important to see trained professionals. The cold liquid nitrogen induces blood vessel contraction which tightens pores. Upon the skin returning to its normal temperature, the blood vessels dilate. Blood flow increases to the face, giving the skin a plump, radiant appearance. Cryotherapy facials are an aesthetic procedure, however, its benefits do not stop there. Providers may use cryotherapy on other areas of the body to aid in arthritis pain, cancer, eczema, weight loss, fibromyalgia, and migraines.

When a musculoskeletal injury occurs, the body’s inflammatory cells and macrophages release IGF1 - a growth factor - which kills damaged tissue. This induces swelling seen in muscle sprains and other injuries. The use of cryotherapy decreases the temperature of the tissues, slowing down cell death, and reducing the potential for further inflammation and swelling. This encourages the tissue and nearby areas to heal and regenerate the muscle cells. Similar mechanisms can be seen when applying ice packs or doing ice baths for injuries. Although the risks are small, the potential for severe complications exists. A minimally invasive treatment, cryotherapy may still result in cramping, bone fractures, nerve damage, infections with pus discharge, and permanent swelling and scarring (primarily on darker skin).

Whole-body cryotherapy is done as a wellness procedure for people looking to tighten aged skin or a treatment to reduce inflammation to body injuries or pain. Instead of applying liquid nitrogen directly onto the skin, the entire body is placed in a “booth” where temperatures are electrically reduced. Medical instances of liquid nitrogen application may be seen in a dermatologist's office to remove skin lesions such as warts, keloids, and skin tags. Oncologists may use cryosurgery to treat visible and easily accessible tumors such as squamous cell carcinomas, retinoblastomas, prostate cancer, bone cancer, cervical cancer, and both benign and malignant growths. Cryotherapy is an out-of-pocket procedure but should still be reserved for third- or fourth-line treatments.  

Many studies have been conducted to establish the cardiovascular benefits of cryotherapy after cardiac arrest. Upon successful resuscitation after cardiac arrest, healthcare facilities may use therapeutic hypothermia to reduce damage to the heart muscle and brain. It is used in rare cases where the individual does not wake up after ROSC. Chilled IV fluids and cooling blankets may be provided to speed up the process over 24 hours. Afterward, the patient will be rewarmed. Follwo-up brain function tests such as EEGs or head CTs are conducted to observe brain recovery, damage, or overall changes. There have been varying results of benefits and no changes, however, further studies are required. It is evident that cryotherapy continues to be a promising technique with various applications in the world.  

References

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319740#safety-and-what-to-expect

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9227663/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26031374/

4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/therapeutic-hypothermia-after-cardiac-arrest

Cryotherapy is a therapeutic treatment involving the application of extreme cold to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. It is also a physical intervention in the treatment of injury and exercise recovery. It involves exposing the body or specific body parts to extremely cold temperatures for a short duration. This therapy is often used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote various health benefits. There are different forms of cryotherapy, including whole-body cryotherapy and localized cryotherapy.

In localized cryotherapy, it involves applying cold to specific areas of the body, such as using ice packs or specialized cryotherapy devices. It is often used to target specific areas of pain or inflammation. In whole body cryotherapy, individuals enter a cryotherapy chamber or room where they are exposed to very low temperatures, typically ranging from -100°C to -140°C (-148°F to -220°F). The session lasts for a few minutes, during which the extreme cold is thought to trigger various physiological responses in the body. Traditionally, ice has been employed to treat musculoskeletal injuries, while cold water immersion or whole-body cryotherapy is utilized for post-exercise recovery. In humans, conventional cryotherapy primarily contributes to diminished pain post-injury or alleviation of soreness post-exercise. While studies have shown cryotherapy-induced reductions in metabolism, inflammation, and tissue damage in animal models of muscle injury, equivalent evidence in humans is currently insufficient. This gap is likely attributable to the insufficient duration of application of traditional cryotherapy methods.

In cryosurgery, the application of freezing temperatures is used to achieve the destruction of tissue. Cutaneous cryosurgery is now a frequently conducted outpatient procedure due to its combination of safety, effectiveness, affordability, ease of use, absence of requirement for injectable anesthetic, and the achievement of favorable cosmetic outcomes. Cryosurgery can be performed in the outpatient setting, using dipstick, spray, or cryoprobe techniques to treat a multitude of benign, premalignant, and malignant skin lesions with high cure rates. Benign lesions such as common and plantar warts, anogenital condylomas, molluscum contagiosum, and seborrheic keratoses can be treated with cryotherapy. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas with low-risk features may be treated with cryosurgery.

The mechanism of action of cryotherapy utilizes commonly available cryogens include Freon 12, Freon 22, solid carbon dioxide, liquid nitrous oxide, liquid nitrogen, and liquid helium. Freons are commonly employed for skin anesthesia. While liquid nitrous oxide is effective in addressing benign skin lesions, it is more prevalent in the treatment of ophthalmic and gynecologic lesions. Liquid nitrogen has emerged as the preferred cryogen in the majority of clinical situations. The mechanism of injury includes the direct effects of freezing on the cells, osmolarity changes, and the vascular stasis that develops. Rapid freezing followed by slow thawing produces more tissue injury, as do repeat freeze-thaw cycles. Freezing may also lead to immune activation.

Providers have been using cryotherapy because it is a minimally invasive therapeutic approach designed to eliminate damaged or diseased tissue associated with various medical conditions. Typically, cryotherapy is performed without resorting to open surgery. If cryotherapy is done for an external skin condition, the treated area will turn red and possibly blister after treatment. Any mild pain should be gone after about three days. The treated area will form a scab, which usually heals in one to three weeks. After internal cryotherapy, there may be mild pain or soreness in the affected area for up to three days. Women who have cryotherapy on the cervix may have a watery discharge for a few days to a few weeks. Healthcare providers successfully treat many problems with cryotherapy. Most skin conditions treated with cryotherapy do not require any special care after treatment.

References:

https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.jerome.stjohns.edu/33877402/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0401/p399.html

              Cryotherapy is a long-standing therapeutic technique that utilizes freezing temperatures for various applications. The term cryotherapy encompasses a range of techniques including partial- and whole-body cryotherapy and cryosurgery. Partial- and whole-body cryotherapy are becoming increasingly popular for their applications in pain management, inflammation reduction, and sports medicine. Cryosurgery finds application in skin conditions including the treatment of warts, skin tags, precancerous lesions, and skin cancer (particularly basal cell carcinoma), as well as certain other cancers.

              Cryotherapy commonly involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissue(s) and induce tissue damage by one of two mechanisms. The first mechanism involves induction of tissue ischemia via blood vessel and capillary damage, leading to necrosis of the tissue. The second involves the formation of ice crystals within cells, drawing water out of cells and leading to membrane destruction. The process of partial- and whole-body cryotherapy uses specialized chambers that release nitrogen gas and create an environment with temperatures ranging from -110 to -140˚C (-166 to -220˚F). Partial-body cryotherapy excludes the head and neck, whereas in whole-body, the individual is fully sealed within the chamber. Cryotherapy sessions are brief, lasting only 2-4 minutes; individuals undergoing cryotherapy wear minimal clothing allowing freezing temperatures to penetrate desired areas of the body. On the contrary, cryosurgery does not involve full emersion into freezing temperatures, but rather administers liquid nitrogen directly to the desired area. The techniques for administration vary and may include probes/forceps cooled with liquid nitrogen, or liquid nitrogen sprayed onto the target area.

              The benefits of cryotherapy are noteworthy and diverse. Athletes often use partial- or whole-body cryotherapy for its potential to accelerate the healing process by reducing tissue swelling/inflammation and promoting vasoconstriction. Some claim it enhances athletic performance, boosts metabolism, and even contributes to weight loss through the activation of brown adipose tissues (which burn calories to generate heat). Similarly, patients with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid diseases and multiple sclerosis have seen benefits related to inflammation/pain reduction after sessions. Cryosurgery is beneficial for patients as it is minimally invasive, reducing the need for traditional surgical procedures. It involves smaller incisions (for tumors located in the prostate, liver, or lung) or no incisions, resulting in quicker recovery and less discomfort. Cryosurgery is often performed outpatient and may be repeated, if necessary, for new tumors or thicker lesions. It is important to note that cryotherapy’s efficacy depends on the type, size, and location of tumors.

              A common side effect of partial- and whole-body cryotherapy is skin irritation from prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, ranging from redness to frostbite. Frostbite, a condition in which the skin and underlying tissue freeze, is possible, especially with inadequate protective measures. In some cases, individuals may experience numbness or tingling sensations as a result of nerve damage in treated areas. The primary concern in cryosurgery is the risk of damage to healthy tissues; extreme temperatures may inadvertently affect adjacent tissues, leading to scarring or other consequences. Some may experience pain /discomfort during and after the procedure, associated with blistering, swelling, or redness. Specifically with cryosurgery, patients may notice either hyper- or hypopigmentation and alopecia in treated areas, potentially causing cosmetic concerns for some. Individuals with certain medical conditions may have a higher risk of complications, specifically those with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, or a history of claustrophobia. As popularity of cryotherapy grows, establishing standardized guidelines and ensuring well-maintained equipment becomes paramount in minimizing these risks.

References

Clebak KT, Menez-Miller M, Croad J. Cutaneous cryosurgery for common skin conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2020 Apr;101(7):399-406. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0401/p399.html

Gage AA, Baust JG. Cryosurgery for tumors – a clinical overview. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2004 Apr;3(2):187-99. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/153303460400300212

Garcia C, Karri J, Zacharias NA, Abd-Elsayed A. Use of cryotherapy for managing chronic pain: an evidence-based narrative. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):81-100. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8119547/

Patel K, Bakshi N, Freehill MT, Awan TM. Whole-body cryotherapy in sports medicine. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019 Apr;18(4):136-40. https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/fulltext/2019/04000/whole_body_cryotherapy_in_sports_medicine.11.aspx

Prohaska J, Jan AH. Cryotherapy in dermatology [updated 2023 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2023 Jan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482319/

Cryotherapy, a therapeutic intervention involving the application of cold, has its role in alleviating chronic pain. Whether it is through local applications like ice packs or more comprehensive approaches like whole-body cryotherapy (WBC), cryotherapy has been acknowledged and advocated by physicians for centuries. 

Local cryotherapy is defined by the targeted application of cold to specific areas, employing various methods such as ice packs, ice baths, or gel packs. In contrast, WBC exposes the entire body to extreme cold, often reaching temperatures as low as -160°C. Chronic pain, defined as persisting for more than three months, poses a significant challenge in the management of various chronic conditions. Cryotherapy has been said to treat chronic pain associated with conditions ranging from rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis) to degenerative diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain), and others like fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.

Chronic pain, often intertwined with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis characterized by chronic inflammation, prompted investigations into the effectiveness of cryotherapy. A study done in 2021 revealed that WBC, particularly at temperatures below -110°C, demonstrated positive effects on both pain reduction and disease activity.

The proposed mechanisms underlying cryotherapy's effectiveness involve its impact on inflammation and edema, oxidative stress, and nerve conduction velocity in pain fibers. Chronic inflammation, a common occurrence in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, contributes to persistent pain through chemical and mechanical stimulation of pain receptors and free nerve endings. Cryotherapy is believed to mitigate this by reducing inflammation, as evidenced by studies showing a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 after cryotherapy.

Edema, another hallmark of inflammation, is thought to be alleviated through cryotherapy's effect on vascular permeability and arterial and soft tissue blood flow. Additionally, cryotherapy has been associated with a reduction in oxidative stress, a pathological feature in various diseases, by enhancing total antioxidant status.

The role of cryosurgery extends to both benign and malignant lesions, making it a versatile option in dermatological practice. Benign lesions, including seborrheic keratosis, verruca, skin tags, molluscum contagiosum, solar lentigo, and hypertrophic/keloid scars, can often be treated with a single round of cryosurgery. For larger or thicker lesions, treatments may be repeated at intervals until resolution. Malignant and pre-malignant lesions, such as actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and non-invasive squamous cell carcinoma, can also be addressed through cryosurgery, though it is typically reserved for cases where excision is not ideal.

Cryosurgery's advantage over excisional techniques in the context of malignancies lies in its ability to retain antigens from dead malignant cells. This retention facilitates a host immune response, potentially leading to a systemic reaction against malignant cells. However, caution is necessary in cases of melanoma, as melanocytes are particularly susceptible to thermal injury.

While generally considered safe, some reported adverse effects include mild symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or muscle pain. Frostbite is a concern with certain local cryotherapy applications, especially if used for extended periods.

References:

Aciksoz S, Akyuz A, Tunay S. The effect of self-administered superficial local hot and cold application methods on pain, functional status and quality of life in primary knee osteoarthritis patients. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26:5179–5190

Garcia C, Karri J, Zacharias NA, Abd-Elsayed A. Use of Cryotherapy for Managing Chronic Pain: An Evidence-Based Narrative. Pain Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):81-100

Jastrząbek R, Straburzyńska-Lupa A, Rutkowski R, Romanowski W. Effects of different local cryotherapies on systemic levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and clinical parameters in active rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33:2053–2060

Prohaska J, Jan AH. Cryotherapy in Dermatology. [Updated 2023 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-

Sabel MS. Cryo-immunology: a review of the literature and proposed mechanisms for stimulatory versus suppressive immune responses. Cryobiology. 2009 Feb;58(1):1-11

Cryotherapy:

Written by: Hillary Pham and Jae Chang

Cryotherapy, otherwise known as cold therapy, is a technique that exposes the body to cold temperatures for a period of time. It is similar to the idea of using an ice pack or an ice towel that would be typically used when there is a physical injury or pain to an individual. However, in this case, the cold temperature is exposed to the majority of the body instead. By practicing this method of medicine, the cold helps to reduce the recovery time for sport players as part of the treatment during physical injuries. The theory behind cryotherapy is that its use provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of ice to induce healing. Ultimately, it can help to reduce the pain effectively and rapidly. With the decrease in temperature at the tissue injury sites, it allows for a neuromuscular action causing a relaxation at the muscles. This allows for the pain threshold to increase, but the motor performance and inflammatory reaction to decrease instead during a painful injury. To be more specific, cryotherapy reduces blood flow to the site of injury, downregulate inflammatory and pain inducing prostaglandins, and reduce the nerve ending’s conductivity to pain.

There are two methods that are typically seen with cryotherapy. The first is when an individual is placed inside a chamber standing straight, with the head exposed over the top of the chamber. This allows for the body and chest region of the body to only be exposed to the cold temperatures. On the other hand, the other method is when an individual is placed in a chamber again, but in this method, the entirety of the body is exposed to the cold temperatures, including the head as well. Overall, both methods are similar however, the choice of cryotherapy method is dependent on the request of the individual’s needs.

This cryotherapy method is commonly done to professional athletes for treatment of injuries or trauma. It is commonly practiced in sport medicine today since the cold method appears to be safe and effective by clinical researchers. It is beneficial to individuals with minimal side effects, which is favorable overall. However, it is vital to note that any prolonged exposure than what is recommended by professionals to the low temperatures should be completely avoided. This can cause serious side effects like frostbite and hypothermia, which can cause detrimental nerve injuries to the body.

Aside from cryotherapy being used to treat inflammation and physical injury, cryotherapy is also an available treatment for localized prostate cancer. Although the use of cryotherapy for prostate cancer is still under evaluation, it is still an available option if the patient wants minimally invasive therapy. The procedure involves either freezing the whole prostate gland to perform whole gland therapy or only the cancer or focal therapy. Unfortunately, several studies have concluded with very low quality evidence that whole gland cryotherapy has uncertain effects on cancer outcomes, quality of life, and major adverse events.

Additionally, cryotherapy is often used postoperatively in orthopedics to decrease analgesic use, limit blood loss, and increase range of motion. Ultimately, it is used during surgical recovery. For cryotherapy used postoperatively, the three types used are compressive cryotherapy, continuous flow cryotherapy, and application of ice; these three methods aim to reduce inflammation of the surgical site, reduce pain, and support recovery process. However, whether the use of cryotherapy postoperatively can result in significant improvements in patient outcomes still remain unclear. As with its use to treat athletes in muscle pain, the commonly associated side effects include frostbite, tissue necrosis, compartment syndrome, and perniosis.

Overall, the benefit of cryotherapy remains unclear. While it does seem to have potential results in reducing inflammation and musculoskeletal pain, its use in postoperative settings or for prostate cancer is unclear. Healthcare practitioners must be wary of the potential side effects that may occur from cryotherapy, as it may cause tissue necrosis, hypothermia, and frostbite. Therefore, the use of cryotherapy should be patient specific and should be up to the discretion of the healthcare provider to weigh the pros and cons before recommending it to patients.

References:

Patel, K., Bakshi, N., Freehill, M. T., & Awan, T. M. (2019). Whole-body cryotherapy in sports medicine. Current sports medicine reports, 18(4), 136-140.

Swenson, C., Swärd, L., & Karlsson, J. (1996). Cryotherapy in sports medicine. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 6(4), 193-200.

Mercader C, Musquera M, Franco A, Alcaraz A, Ribal MJ. Primary cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer treatment. Aging Male. 2020 Dec;23(5):1460-1466. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2020.1796960. Epub 2020 Nov 16. PMID: 33191831.

Jung JH, Risk MC, Goldfarb R, Reddy B, Coles B, Dahm P. Primary cryotherapy for localised or locally advanced prostate cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 May 30;5(5):CD005010. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005010.pub3. PMID: 29845595; PMCID: PMC6494517.

Cryotherapy has become increasing popular in recent years within sports medicine. Generally, it is the use of extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal tissue. However, athletes use this method to recover from injuries as well as maintain peak physical health even while on off-season. Commonly used are liquid nitrogen or argon gas. Exposure to cryotherapy mimics exercise since it affects myokines expression in an exercise-like fashion as indicated by source 1, which also discusses relief of inflammation, pain, muscle spasms, and swelling. When it comes to an alternative to surgery, it is minimally invasive and able to remove damaged or diseased without open surgery. Essentially, cells die as temperatures drop. Frozen skin will blister and peel off so that healthy cells can grow instead, and most people recover with little pain as indicated by source 2. We’re still learning about cryotherapy as there is not enough evidence to confirm the long term effects.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5411446/

2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482319/

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956737/

Cryotherapy is a treatment that freezes and destroys tissue using liquid nitrogen, dimethyl ether propane, or carbon dioxide snow. One of the uses of cryotherapy is wart removal. Warts are a common skin disorder caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and are usually benign and disappear without treatment. Patients may seek treatment for wart removal because of their unsightly appearance or pain. There are OTC cryotherapy treatments and also more expensive in-office cryotherapy treatments. In-office cryotherapy typically utilizes liquid nitrogen which freezes tissue to lower temperatures, while OTC cryotherapy contains dimethyl ether and propane which freeze tissue at gentler temperatures. For warts, cryotherapy freezes the wart tissue and the formation of microthrombi leads to local ischemic necrosis and destruction of the HPV-infected keratinocytes. When using OTC cryotherapy, it is applied directly to the wart, taking care to avoid the healthy skin around the wart. A blister will form under the wart, and after about 10 days, the wart should fall off on its own. If using OTC cryotherapy products, they should only be used on warts on the hands or feet, not the face, nails, or genitals. Self-treatment with OTC cryotherapy may be repeated every 2 weeks if the wart is still unresolved, but should not exceed 4 treatments or for longer than 12 weeks without a proper medical evaluation. Aggressive cryotherapy treatment done at a medical provider’s office has been shown to be more effective but has an increased incidence of adverse events such as pain, blistering, and scarring. A systematic review of topical treatments for cutaneous warts shows that there are no significant differences in effectiveness between cryotherapy vs placebo and cryotherapy vs salicylic acid. Only one trial showed cryotherapy to be better than salicylic acid and placebo for hand warts. It is also uncertain whether cryotherapy has any effect on the recurrence of warts after treatment.

References:

1. Loo SK, Tang WY. Warts (non-genital). BMJ Clin Evid. 2014;2014:1710. Published 2014 Jun 12.

2. Kwok CS, Gibbs S, Bennett C, Holland R, Abbott R. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(9):CD001781. Published 2012 Sep 12. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001781.pub3

3. Adkins DM. Chapter 43: Warts. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 19th Edition. Published 2017 Dec 26. doi:10.21019/9781582122656.ch43

Whole body cryotherapy is a new trend that takes the idea of using ice packs to reduce inflammation in a localized area to the next level. Whole body cryotherapy involves a person stepping into a chamber that reaches temperatures ranging between negative 200 to negative 300 degrees Fahrenheit generated by liquid nitrogen for two to four minutes. A person stands in the chamber with minimal clothing which can include socks, gloves, approved underwear and bra, and sometimes protection for their ears, nose, and mouth.

Cryotherapy is advertised on the internet as a potential cure for chronic diseases such as asthma, pain, multiple sclerosis, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. This type of treatment claims to improve circulation, increase metabolism, improve recovery, and soreness from working out and relieve joint and body pain. Due to the increased interest, the FDA informally reviewed the medical literature available on this trend and found very little evidence about its safety and effectiveness in treating the conditions it is promoted to.

It is not known the effects these drastically cold temperatures can have on a person's blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism. At this point, there is not enough evidence publicly available to confirm the benefits of cryotherapy. However, the potential risks are clear. The risk of hypoxia from oxygen deficiency, frostbite, burns, and eye injury are all possibilities from the liquid nitrogen used for the cooling of the chambers. A patient should consult their doctor before starting this type of therapy.

In a study done in 2015, 64 physically active predominantly young adults were divided into 2 parallel groups to assess the effects of whole body cryotherapy for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise. In conclusion, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether whole body cryotherapy reduces self-reported muscle soreness or improved subjective recovery after exercise. This lack of evidence is important given the potential adverse events from exposure to extremely low temperatures.

In a study done in 2018, 60 patients tried whole body cryotherapy for short term treatment for depression and anxiety. Although the study had several limitations, positive results were seen after patients when through daily whole body cryotherapy treatments for Monday thru Friday for 3 consecutive weeks.

Although there are limited studies on the benefits of whole body cryotherapy, I believe there could be potential benefits for people suffering from ongoing chronic conditions. From my research, there will hopefully be more studies done in the future to further assess the benefits of this type of treatment. I hope as people find out about new trends, similar to this, they do their research to fully understand the potential danger and harm they can cause to their bodies.

References:

Costello JT, Baker PR, Minett GM, Bieuzen F, Stewart IB, Bleakley C. Whole-body cryotherapy (extreme cold air exposure) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD010789. Published 2015 Sep 18. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010789.pub2

Rymaszewska J, Ramsey D, Chładzińska-Kiejna S. Whole-body cryotherapy as adjunct treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2008;56(1):63-68. doi:10.1007/s00005-008-0006-5

Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC): A Trend that Lacks Evidence, Poses Risks. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/whole-body-cryotherapy-wbc-cool-trend-lacks-evidence-poses-risks. Accessed January 15, 2021.

Cryotherapy or cryogenic therapy is a form of treatment that consists of putting the naked body in freezing or near freezing temperatures. Cryotherapy can include smaller scale cryotherapies such as an ice bath or cryotherapy facials, or it could include larger scale whole body cryotherapy which involves sitting or standing in a cryochamber for two to five minutes. During the whole-body cryotherapy process, an individual will expose his or her or her body to liquid nitrogen in subzero temperatures typically between negative 100 and negative 140 Degrees Celsius. Patient are required to wear minimal clothing such as socks, gloves, approved underwear and possibly protection from the ears, nose, and mouth. Whole body cryotherapy is not regulated by the FDA, and has not been approved as a safe, effective treatment for any medical condition yet. However, there are some known health benefits of cryotherapy such as reduced inflammation, pain relief, and muscle recovery.

Whole body cryotherapy could be a potentially quicker solution for pain relief and muscle recovery that would normally require ice packs or ice baths. In a 2014 study, participants had showed that cryotherapy had a small impact on pain relief and muscle recovery compared to cold water immersion or local ice pack application alone. Using cryotherapy can cause blood vessels to constrict which reduces blood flow and alleviates pain, swelling, and inflammation The study revealed that cryotherapy can decrease proinflammatory cytokines, cause adaptive changes in antioxidant status, and have positive effects on the muscular enzymes associated with muscle damage such as creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. There have been certain studies that led to theories of whole-body cryotherapy treating mental health conditions. In a 2008 study, 60 patients used whole body cryotherapy as a short-term treatment for depression and anxiety. These study participants claimed to feel a sense of euphoria upon exiting the cryochamber. The theory that cryotherapy helps with depression and anxiety stems from the fact that when the body experiences extreme cold, even for a short period of time, it sends a message to the endocrine system that the body may be in danger. This triggers the classic fight or flight response, which in turn causes the body to release endorphins and positive hormones. This theory states that cryotherapy acts to jumpstart the production of endorphins in people who traditionally have difficulty with regulating mood.

Even though cryotherapy does contain some positive health benefits in certain populations, individuals with health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, seizures , and anemia should not use cryotherapy. Whole body cryotherapy can cause adverse side effects such as redness or skin irritation, an allergic reaction to the cold, frostbite, or even skin burns. There were even incidents where individuals exposed themselves for longer than two to three minutes as recommended and died from severe hypothermia. One reliable way to monitor the environment of the cryochamber is to use an oxygen monitor or oxygen deficiency monitor. An oxygen deficiency monitor continuously measures the amount of oxygen in the environment, and sets off an alarm if the oxygen levels fall below a safe level.

Rymaszewska, Joanna et al. “Whole-body cryotherapy as adjunct treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders.” Archivum immunologiae et therapiae experimentalis vol. 56,1 (2008): 63-8. doi:10.1007/s00005-008-0006-5

Rose C, Edwards KM, Siegler J, Graham K, Caillaud C. Whole-body Cryotherapy as a Recovery Technique after Exercise: A Review of the Literature. Int J Sports Med. 2017 Dec;38(14):1049-1060. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-114861. Epub 2017 Nov 21. Review. PubMed PMID: 29161748.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is also known as “cold therapy” where the body is exposed to cold temperatures for several minutes. It can be administered through ice packs, ice massage, ice baths, and even probs into the tissue. Some benefits of cryotherapy include:

1. reducing migraine symptoms

2. numbing nerve irritation

3. help treat mood disorders

4. reducing arthritis pain

5. help treat low-risk tumors

6. help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

7. treat atopic dermatitis and other skin condition

Going into atopic dermatitis specifically, cryotherapy is known to improve antioxidant levels in the blood, so it can reduce inflammation and help treat certain skin conditions.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cryotherapy-benefits#benefits

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/419737

Cryotherapy has traditionally been applied using ice packs or cold baths. Recently, whole-body cryotherapy has become a popular method of cryotherapy. This involves exposure to extremely cold dry air (usually between −100°C and −140°C) in an environmentally controlled room for short periods of time (typically between 2 and 5 minutes). This therapy was originally developed to treat chronic medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, athletes are now employing this therapy to treat acute sports injuries. The therapy has claimed to decrease tissue temperature, reduce inflammation, analgesia, and enhance recovery following exercise.

A systematic search was conducted to investigate the effect of whole-body cryotherapy on subjects who were injured after exercise. The results show that muscle pain was reduced by 80% of studies following the whole- body cryotherapy. Two applied studies found the recovery of athletic capacity and performance improved, variables of this nature were also improved in 71% of studies using controlled exercise. These results suggest that "whole-body cryotherapy may improve recovery from muscle damage, with multiple exposures more consistently exhibiting improvements in recovery from pain, loss of muscle function, and markers of inflammation and damage".

Bleakley, C. M., Bieuzen, F., Davison, G. W., & Costello, J. T. (2014). Whole-body cryotherapy: empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives.Open access journal of sports medicine,5, 25–36. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S41655

Rose C, Edwards KM, Siegler J, Graham K, Caillaud C. Whole-body Cryotherapy as a Recovery Technique after Exercise: A Review of the Literature. Int J Sports Med. 2017 Dec;38(14):1049-1060. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-114861. Epub 2017 Nov 21. Review. PubMed PMID: 29161748.