ISN’T CRYOTHERAPY SIMILAR TO AN ICE BATH? Not really

Looking for a way to rehabilitate and recover from injuries, reduce pain, and reduce inflammation? Then you’ve probably heard of icing, ice baths and now cryotherapy. Cryotherapy has become increasingly popular recently, with celebrities and professional athletes endorsing the practice, but what is the difference & why?

Temperature & time efficiency

During an ice bath, soft tissue and muscle deep in the body can begin to freeze and lose their capacity after 20 minutes.

Cryotherapy, however, is different. It uses dry cryogenically cooled air to reduce the skin’s temperature, but it doesn’t freeze muscle tissue – instead it activates the body’s nervous system with exposure to sub-zero temperatures. While an ice bath may take 30 minutes or more to achieve desired effects, Cryotherapy is more effective and safer in just 3 minutes.

After a cryotherapy session, you can return to activity the same day with more energy and ability than before the treatment. Cryotherapy temperatures reach down as low as -140°C, while an ice bath doesn’t usually get below 5°C.

Physiological Effects

When submerged in an ice bath, the body must expend a lot of energy to try and return the blood in the body’s core to a normal temperature. This can lead to muscle congealing and freezing, and in extreme cases, hypothermia or worse.

During cryotherapy, the body’s thermo-receptors sense the cold environment, and the brain sends a signal to the body to constrict blood vessels, taking the oxygen and nutrients to the vital organs in the core of the body. After the 3-minute session, the brain sends a message to return the highly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood back to the peripheral systems, instantly reaching normal core temperature and allowing the body function at optimal levels.

The Impact on Skin

During an ice bath, oxygen supply to the skin’s surface is halted, which can lead to skin damage and even skin disease if the procedure is repeated. Cryotherapy, on the other hand accelerates collagen production during treatment with rapid blood flow circulation and improving skin health.

Making an Informed Decision

If you’re looking for an effective way to reduce pain and inflammation, then both ice baths and cryotherapy have benefits. However, cryotherapy is now becoming a popular option for many with its shorter treatment time with positive physiological & mental effects.

If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to reduce pain and inflammation, then give cryotherapy a try. °CRYO Northern Beaches is located right here in the Health & Wellbeing precent of the Harbord Diggers with state-of-the-art TGA approved equipment, licensed therapists and an allied health practitioner onsite.

E Q @cryonorthernbeaches cryonorthernbeaches.com.au

Tel: 1300 888 600