THE EXPERIENCE: Cryotherapy means cold therapy and involves exposing specific parts of the body, or the entire body, to extremely cold temperatures for several minutes.
WHO IT MIGHT HELP:
- If you have chronic inflammation in your muscles and/or joints
- If you have wish to improve brain function
- People with depression and/or anxiety
- If you have difficulty sleeping
- Potentially weight loss
- Potentially asthma
- Potentially migraines
RESEARCH & REASONS TO BELIEVE:
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I have had several experiences with different types of cryotherapy, some of which I will detail in posts yet-to-come.
Because I occasionally suffer from migraines, I use a cold cap to help ease the pain and calm me. Personally, I find it best to use the cold cap on my head with a heating pad on my lower abdomen at the same time. Somehow the mix of the hot and cold works well, allowing me to relax (and draw the energy out of my head from a Chinese Medicine perspective).
But my favorite Cryotherapy is the cryotherapy room at a local wellness center.
To start, you pick the song you want to listen to while you’re in the cryotherapy room. Then the attendant measures your skin temperature. You will start up in an interim room for 15 seconds and when the lights flash, you can move into the cryotherapy room which is -170 degrees.
It’s important to relax while in the cold or you won’t get the best benefits of cryotherapy. Most people dance lightly, do some qigong shaking, or easy shadow boxing. A female voice counts down the time milestones for you and when the time is up, the lights flash again. When you exit, the attendant again takes your skin temperature.
Typically my skin temperature drops 30 degrees or more.
TIPS & THINGS TO KNOW:
- The cryotherapy room rules require each person to wear a winter hat, mittens, a breathing mask and socks and shoes for safety. What else you wear is up to you. I started off wearing a loose long-sleeve t-shirt and long leggings into the room. Many men wear only shorts. Personally, I now go in the room in my tank top and short-leg leggings.
- You can set your own time, but most people go in for between 2 and 3 minutes. I typically go in for 3 minutes.
- You can go in by yourself, but you can also go in with another. If it’s a busy day, I’m always happy to share the cold. It can make the time go faster and/or it can make it easier to relax.
- You MUST cover all jewelry or remove it before you go in the room. Also, remove your glasses.
- You don’t want to be wet or damp anywhere. If you’re going in after a sweaty workout, be sure to pack a spare set of clothes or a hand towel to wipe off thoroughly.
Personally, this is my absolute favorite therapy and I try to go at least 3 times a week (more if my schedule allows)! I enter the room feeling tired, achy, slow, heavy, land in low spirits. After 3 minutes I leave feeling energized, light as a feather, ache free and in high spirits! My mom once jokingly asked me to forewarn her if I was going to see her within 3 hours of the cryotherapy room so she could prepare for all my “pep!” For me, THIS is a MUST!
Uncharted Wellth 