by Clarissa Hartley

A woman emerges from a cryotherapy chamber, enshrouded in a chill mist. Her confident smile tells a story of resilience, rejuvenation and restored energy.

Who hasn’t reached for an ice pack to calm a swollen, throbbing sprain? But did you know this straightforward notion of ‘cold as relief’ can be dialled up a notch, into an invigorating wellness technique referred to as whole body cryotherapy? This therapy, more than just a passing trend, is an extreme cold treatment that claims to supercharge your overall health, fitness, and even assist in weight loss.

Unlocking the Freeze Factor: What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy, a method that engulfs you in brisk, icy air, supposedly kicks cell renewal and circulation into overdrive, boosts metabolism, aids weight shedding and might also put the ageing process on ice. Athletes of all stripes have been known to rely on this method to pull through pain, hasten healing, and recover swiftly from intense training and competition.

In a whole body cryotherapy session, you’d find yourself in an air chamber where the cooling system, powered by either electricity or nitrogen gas, is swung to a teeth-rattling -110°C to -140°C. Research reveals that these Arctic-like temperatures pump up the blood flow and tone down inflammation. However, it’s critical to note that this method isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you grapple with high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm or lung issues, then this therapy is not for you.

The Chilling Concept: How does Whole Body Cryotherapy Work?

Your body, in the throes of ‘fight or flight mode,’ responds to cryotherapy by unleashing adrenaline, endorphins and anti-inflammatory proteins. It’s reported to crank up the levels of immunological anti-inflammatory ingredients and dial down the generation of pro-inflammatory molecules. Furthermore, cryotherapy might decrease muscle pain and injury post athletic events by lowering catabolic (destructive) muscle activity.

You can experience cryotherapy by standing in an open-top chamber, where your head is safe from the icy whorl, or by sitting in a completely enclosed chamber, either alone or with company, letting the freezing temperatures work their magic.

The Cold Hard Benefits: Key Gains from Whole Body Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy offers a gamut of health, fitness and weight-loss bonuses. Some of these include :

• Boosting circulation
• Increasing amounts of anti-inflammatory substances
• Decreasing muscle breakdown to reduce muscle pain and injury
• Releasing endorphins, otherwise known as the ‘happy hormone’, for enhanced mood
• Supercharging cell renewal
• Delaying signs of ageing
• Amping up metabolism, crucial for healthy weight loss
• Speeding up recovery after intense training

Delving into the frosty world of cryotherapy calls for expert medical supervision. Protective gear like mittens, socks and headbands are provided to ward off frostbite. Once inside, you’ll be enveloped in icy mists as the temperature takes a dizzying plunge, for approximately three minutes. This experience, despite sounding daunting, may not be as uncomfortable as you might think.

One of the enthusiasts of this chilling therapy attests to its benefits. ‘I turned to cryotherapy and to my surprise found it enjoyable,’ she shares. ‘Although the chilly -125°C was extreme, my recovery was swift. On the same evening, I achieved a personal best in a multi-stage fitness test, sprinting to level 19. My muscles felt rejuvenated, and my strides felt sprightlier.’ The price of this invigorating experience typically starts from £90 for a single session, or a package of 10 sessions for £499 (£50 each).

Explore Further: Other Therapies for Athletic Performance

While whole body cryotherapy could be your key to enhanced recovery and exceptional performance, other therapies like far infrared light also have proven beneficial for sports recovery. Choosing the right therapy can make all the difference in optimizing your athletic potential!

whole body cryotherapy, extreme cold treatment, health benefits, fitness improvement, weight loss, sports therapy, cold air chambers, cell rejuvenation, metabolism, ageing, athletic recovery, nitrogen cooling, adrenaline release, endorphins, anti-inflammatory proteins, irregular heart rhythm, high blood pressure, lung issues