Understanding Exact Temperatures Used in Whole Body Cryotherapy

Understanding Cryotherapy Temperatures

Cryotherapy, sometimes known as cold therapy, is a technique that exposes the body to extremely cold temperatures for short periods of time. This causes the body to enter survival mode, activating its natural healing abilities. The most common form of cryotherapy involves standing in a cryotherapy chamber for 2-3 minutes while very cold air circulates around your body. But just how cold does it actually get in one of these chambers?

Defining Cryotherapy Temperatures

Cryotherapy chamber manufacturers aim for temperatures between -200°F and -250°F (-128°C and -157°C). However, these bitterly cold temperatures only occur near the ceiling of specially designed chambers. The temperatures at floor level, where your body stands, range from -140°F to -170°F (-100°C to -112°C). Even though you move around to ensure temperature consistency during your session, direct skin exposure remains in the -60°F to -90°F range (-51°C to -68°C). Your vital organs remain at normal body temperature.

How Cold Exposure Triggers Healing

Brief exposure to cryotherapy's subzero air temperatures prompts skin receptors to transmit cold signals to your brain. This causes immediate vasoconstriction of blood vessels, reducing blood flow to extremities. Your body responds by going into preservation mode to guard your vital organs against the perceived frozen threat. Increased metabolic activity kicks in to generate heat while endorphins release for temporary numbing effects.

Once your cryotherapy session ends, enriched, oxygenated blood floods back into your tissues delivering nutrients and removing waste products. Anti-inflammatory proteins also get released to aid healing. Beneficial changes to lipid profiles and glucose levels also occur. Repeating cold stimulus regularly promotes circulatory and immune system health.

Adjusting Cryotherapy Temperatures

Modern computerized cryotherapy chambers allow technicians to precisely control temperatures. Most operate in the -150°F to -170°F range for whole body cryotherapy. Nozzles can emit air reaching -256°F, but since cold air drops rapidly as it enters the main chamber, you don't get directly exposed to this very low overhead temperature range.

Technicians can tweak temperatures based on whether you're seeking therapy for inflammation, weight loss, skin rejuvenation or athletic recovery. Colder isn't necessarily better when it comes to getting therapeutic results.

Individual Comfort Levels

The level of cold each person finds tolerable also differs substantially. While some won't flinch at standing below -150°F cryotherapy jets for several minutes, others might shiver in sudden discomfort past 60 seconds of exposure. Technicians continually monitor patients through windowed doors, able to modify sessions based on visible reaction and real-time feedback.

Evaluating Claims of Cryotherapy Benefits

As cryotherapy surges in popularity, numerous claims tout its injury healing, metabolism boosting, skin enhancing and mental health perks. But what does available research actually reveal about exposing your barely protected body to subzero air well below where fahrenheit and celsius agree it's really cold outside?

Reducing Inflammation and Pain

The biggest benefit ascribed to whole body cryotherapy involves reducing localized inflammation that contributes to chronic joint or muscular pain. The sharp cold exposure triggers release of anti-inflammatory proteins and endorphins that temporarily relieve pain. This also speeds nutrients toward affected areas to aid natural healing processes.

While people relying on cryotherapy for pain treatment report positive outcomes, comparative research on its efficacy remains limited so far. As an adjunct to established medical care for inflammation though, it shows promise.

Supporting Injury Recovery

Cryotherapy proponents also tout its value for accelerating return to activity after injuries with significant inflammation involved, like sprains or muscle strains. Initial evidence backs using scheduled cold exposure here as part of a comprehensive program including gentle movement and physical therapy.

The technique demonstrates particular utility for supporting recovery paths of athletes receiving care for soft tissue trauma or post-surgical swelling. The focused delivery of nutrient rich oxygenated blood to affected areas may quicken healing.

Aiding Weight Loss

Links between whole body cryotherapy and weight loss get cited frequently as well. The claim involves cryo’s activation of the body’s metabolic fight-or-flight reflex. Your system starts burning calories rapidly to warm your near-frozen body, a process called non-shivering thermogenesis. Theoretically, you continue burning extra calories for a short period after each session ends.

While initial evidence hints at a bump in metabolic rate, any increase proves small. Lasting weight loss remains unlikely without also improving exercise and diet. Touting cryotherapy as a miracle solution for substantial slimming lacks foundation.

Improving Skin Appearance

Cryotherapy's extreme cold also stimulates collagen production as your skin struggles to shield itself against severe air temperatures. Collagen assists with maintaining firmness and elasticity. This makes whole body cryotherapy sessions popular within the cosmetic community for temporarily improving skin’s tone, texture and appearance.

However, experts debate any lasting dermatological benefits as existing research only tracked outcomes for short periods. Repeat exposures may prove necessary before gathering more definitive collagen enrichment evidence over time.

Boosting Energy and Mental Health

Other potential upsides linked with cryotherapy include increases in energy, focus and mood. The rush of endorphins, adrenaline and noradrenaline triggered by the body’s survival reflex may contribute to these positive sensations in the short term after sessions.

A few small studies report subjects displaying better concentration, reduced anxiety and lessened depression after a series of cryotherapy appointments. But most research remains preliminary awaiting detailed confirmation through larger controlled trials.

Is Whole Body Cryotherapy Safe?

With ultra-low cryotherapy chamber temperatures nearing -200°F, safety rightfully represents a top concern among prospective patients. Thankfully, modern computerized cryochambers built by reputable manufacturers contain numerous sensors and fail-safe mechanisms to enable comfortable supervised cold exposure.

Required Safeguards

Well-designed cryotherapy boxes position nozzles above head level to avoid direct blast contact. Floors get covered in insulating materials too so frozen air drops before reaching feet. Sessions last just a few minutes as well to keep exposure windows brief.

Technicians constantly monitor patients through windows and intercoms in case difficulties arise. Anti-panic buttons allow immediate shutdown if someone displays signs of distress. Qualified practitioners also screen candidates beforehand to confirm treatment suitability.

Who Should Avoid Cryotherapy

While cryotherapy chambers prove impressively safe for most, certain higher risk conditions may preclude undergoing treatment. Anyone with very high blood pressure, heart disorders, open wounds, nerve pain syndrome, very cold allergies or breathing issues should avoid whole body cryotherapy.

The extreme cold also presents higher risk for children and elderly patients. Pregnant or breastfeeding women along with those with pacemakers, metal implants or circulatory conditions need clearance from doctors first too.

What to Expect During Cryotherapy Sessions

Ready to give cryotherapy's ultra-low temperatures a try for restoring sore muscles, speeding injury recovery or gaining other possible benefits? Learning what to expect during your first few assisted cold therapy appointments helps ensure a comfortable, rewarding experience.

Before Entering the Cryosauna

Arrive wearing loose, dry clothing and socks to allow cold air flow while covering extremities. Cotton gloves safeguard hands while socks protect feet and limit surface frost buildup. For men, underwear protects sensitive areas.

You enter a preparation room first for final coverup check. Technicians may provide you an optional headband, slippers and elbow/knee sleeves if desired. Masks guard airways.

During Your Cryotherapy Session

When ready, you walk into the cryochamber for brief monitored exposure under frigid nitrogen jets. Technicians coach you on stance as you slowly turn moving arms and legs to improve cold distribution. Most sessions last 1-3 minutes depending on individual tolerance and targeted results.

Despite the extreme temperatures, the cold never feels unbearable thanks the preparatory safety gear and precise nozzle placements. While skin prickles, your core body remains properly insulated throughout.

After Cryotherapy Treatment Concludes

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.