What to Expect During Your First Cryotherapy Session
Cryotherapy, also known as ice and cold therapy, is a method of using temperatures that are below freezing to help with your health. It can be used for anything from helping with muscle pain to improving athletic performance. The most common form of cryotherapy is whole-body cryotherapy (WBC), which is the process of standing in a chamber filled with nitrogen gas that’s at about -100 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes. There are also partial body cryotherapy (PBC) treatments available if you don’t want to go through an entire session or don’t have the time. In this article, Skintel, which provides a cryotherapy treatment in Auckland, will suggest what happens during your first WBC session and gives you an idea of what to expect when trying it out for yourself.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a cold therapy treatment that can help treat pain and inflammation, muscle recovery, skin conditions, and mental health. The process involves exposing your body to temperatures between -128F (the same temperature found in outer space) to -180F for 2-3 minutes.
The goal of cryotherapy is to stimulate circulation by causing blood vessels to dilate while also reducing muscle spasms and swelling. It’s not exactly clear how this works but some think it may be due to endorphin release or increased production of anti-inflammatory substances called cytokines (a type of protein). Find the best localized cryotherapy services here.
What to Expect During Your First Cryotherapy Session
The first thing to know is that you should expect to feel cold. This may sound obvious, but it’s important to remember that cryotherapy sessions are designed for people who want to improve their health and wellness by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and increasing energy levels. Cryotherapy happens at temperatures as low as -256 degrees Fahrenheit (-160 Celsius). So yes, you will be cold.
The second thing you should know is how long your session will last. Most people stay in the chamber anywhere from three minutes up to five minutes depending on their preferences and goals (more on those later). The average session lasts four minutes.
However, if you’re feeling nervous about going into one of these chambers for the first time then we recommend starting with two minutes at first until you get used to how everything works before moving on up from there.
How Does Cryotherapy Work?
Cryotherapy is a cold therapy treatment that helps reduce inflammation, pain and swelling. It’s also used to help improve blood flow to the muscles.
The temperature in the cryo-chamber will typically range from minus 110 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 73 degrees Celsius) to minus 150 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 100 degrees Celsius). The length of time you stay inside depends on what condition you’re trying to treat and how long your body can withstand such extreme temperatures without getting frostbite or hypothermia, typically anywhere between one minute and three minutes.
What to Wear During Your Session
Wearing loose-fitting clothing is a general rule of thumb for any cryotherapy session, but especially so if you’re new to the experience. Your body will start to feel cold very quickly and it’s important that your clothes don’t restrict movement or cause discomfort as you begin to freeze.
You should wear socks, slippers or shoes that can be easily removed during the session (like sneakers).
Also, don’t forget to bring a robe or towel in case you want something to cover up with once inside the chamber as well as after your session is complete. You may also want to bring along some earplugs since some people find it uncomfortable when their ears start popping from the pressure change. Lastly, don’t forget about head protection.
Cryotherapy can help improve your health and wellness.
If you’re a fitness enthusiast or someone who’s just looking to improve their overall health and wellness, cryotherapy can be a great option. Cryotherapy improves muscle recovery. It is known for helping athletes recover from intense workouts by reducing inflammation and speeding up the healing process. This makes it easier for them to get back into training without feeling sore or tired all of the time.
Moreover, cryotherapy improves sleep. When your body temperature drops during a session in the chamber, it causes your blood vessels to constrict which increases circulation throughout your body including those in your brain. This helps send more oxygenated blood flow throughout all cells in your body including those that affect moods such as serotonin production in the brainstem area (the part responsible for regulating mood).
Conclusion
It’s important to note that cryotherapy is not a cure-all, so if your symptoms are severe or ongoing, consult your doctor before trying it out. Also, remember that your first session may not be as pleasant as subsequent ones because your body needs time to adjust to the cold temperature and humidity levels in the chamber.
