Cryotherapy in Medicine

The distinction of cryotherapy lies in its wide-spectrum use and effects at several levels of the human body.

Cryotherapy in healthcare Settings

1. Rheumatology:
Cryotherapy has emerged as a valuable therapeutic option in the field of rheumatology. It is employed in the management of various inflammatory joint disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by chronic inflammation and pain in the joints. Additionally, it is effective for osteoarthritis, providing symptomatic relief and improving joint function. Cryotherapy is also beneficial in treating capsulitis, which involves inflammation of the joint capsule, and spondyloarthritis, a group of inflammatory diseases affecting the spine and joints. By reducing inflammation and alleviating pain, cryotherapy enhances the overall quality of life for patients suffering from these conditions.

2. Dermatology:
In dermatology, cryotherapy serves as a therapeutic intervention for a range of skin conditions. It is particularly effective in the treatment of psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin. Neurodermatitis, which involves chronic itching and scratching, can also be managed with cryotherapy. Furthermore, it is utilized in the treatment of eczema, a condition that leads to inflamed, itchy, and red skin, as well as scleroderma, which causes hardening and tightening of the skin. Cryotherapy helps by reducing inflammation and promoting healing, making it an essential tool in dermatological practice.

3. Neurology:
The application of cryotherapy in neurology encompasses a wide range of nervous system disorders. It is particularly beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system, as it can help manage symptoms such as spasticity and pain. Cryotherapy is also utilized in the treatment of parkinsonism, which involves tremors and motor control issues. Additionally, it addresses paresis, characterized by partial loss of movement, and reflex or neurodegenerative syndromes. By targeting inflammatory processes and modulating pain, cryotherapy can significantly improve patient outcomes in these neurological conditions.

4. Pulmonology:
In the realm of pulmonology, cryotherapy serves as an adjunctive therapy for various respiratory conditions. It is particularly effective for patients suffering from chronic lung inflammation, as it helps reduce inflammation and enhance lung function. Cryotherapy is also utilized in the management of asthma, providing relief from acute exacerbations by decreasing airway hyperreactivity. Moreover, it can assist in treating chronic bronchitis, alleviating symptoms and improving the overall respiratory health of patients. The use of cryotherapy in pulmonology underscores its versatility in addressing diverse health issues.

5. Sports Medicine:
Cryotherapy plays a crucial role in sports medicine, where it is employed to expedite recovery from injuries and facilitate post-injury rehabilitation. Athletes benefit from cryotherapy through its ability to reduce inflammation and pain, enabling a quicker return to training and competition. Furthermore, cryotherapy is instrumental in the development and maintenance of superior physical fitness, as it can enhance muscle recovery and performance. Additionally, it contributes to the enhancement of physiological readiness and mental resilience, equipping athletes to better withstand the physical and psychological demands of their sport.

6. Orthopedics and Physiotherapy:
Within orthopedics and physiotherapy, cryotherapy is widely utilized for pain management and the expedited regeneration of muscular, connective, and joint injuries. Its anti-inflammatory properties aid in reducing swelling and discomfort associated with acute injuries. Cryotherapy also promotes healing by increasing blood flow to affected areas, thus facilitating tissue repair. By integrating cryotherapy into rehabilitation protocols, healthcare professionals can enhance patient recovery and improve functional outcomes.

7. Surgery and Traumatology:
In surgery and traumatology, cryotherapy is an effective method for managing injuries to the locomotive apparatus, including fractures, sprains, and strains. It assists in reducing postoperative pain and swelling, thereby promoting a smoother recovery process. Additionally, cryotherapy is beneficial for patients suffering from chronic fatigue, as it can alleviate muscle soreness and enhance overall physical well-being. Its application in these fields highlights its importance in the management of trauma and surgical recovery.

8. Gynecology:
In the field of gynecology, cryotherapy is applied for the treatment of various reproductive health issues, including sterility and abortion. It is used to target abnormal tissue and manage conditions such as cervical dysplasia. Additionally, cryotherapy can be effective in alleviating symptoms associated with climacteric syndrome, which encompasses a range of physiological changes during menopause. By providing targeted treatment options, cryotherapy contributes to improved reproductive health outcomes for women.

9. Hepatology:
Finally, in hepatology, cryotherapy is employed as a therapeutic modality for managing chronic autoimmune diseases affecting the liver, as well as viral hepatitis. By targeting inflamed liver tissue, cryotherapy can help reduce symptoms and promote liver health. Its application in this specialty underscores the role of cryotherapy in addressing complex systemic conditions and improving patient quality of life.

Local cryotherapyfor medical purposes

The analgesic effect of extremely low temperatures accelerates muscle and joint regeneration, making it ideal for physiotherapy, orthopedics, and traumatology. Local stimulation of the affected area enhances the range of movement and reduces pain, facilitating full kinesiotherapy.

Pain relief motivates patients to exercise, which is often difficult when in pain. Studies show this method reduces the need for intra-articular steroid injections. In some cases, cryostimulation can prevent the need for surgical interventions, such as synovectomy due to synovial membrane expansion.

Additionally, cryotherapy achieves excellent results in treating chronic dermatological conditions, including acne, psoriasis, atopic eczema, and skin hypersensitivity.

Whole-body cryotherapyin medicine

Whole body cryotherapy is widely recognized as one of the most effective and comprehensive methods for treatment and stimulation through extreme cold. This innovative therapy utilizes sub-zero temperatures to deliver a broad range of physiological benefits, making it increasingly popular among medical and rehabilitation facilities globally. By exposing the body to extremely low temperatures for a short duration, patients can experience significant improvements in recovery times, pain relief, inflammation reduction, and overall physical performance.

The versatility of whole body cryotherapy is evident in its applications. It benefits athletes looking to enhance their performance and expedite recovery, as well as individuals suffering from chronic pain, inflammatory conditions, and stress-related disorders. As a result, this method is gaining traction in various sectors, including sports medicine, physiotherapy, and wellness industries.

The cryosauna represents an ideal ergonomic and effective solution for numerous healthcare settings. Hospitals, orthopedic clinics, rheumatologic centers, and rehabilitation facilities can integrate cryosaunas into their treatment protocols. These specialized machines provide targeted cold therapy while ensuring patient comfort and safety, catering to a diverse range of patients, from elite athletes to those recovering from surgery.

Cryotherapy treatment

Within a 2-3 minutes long treatment in a cryosauna, the human body is rapidly exposed to extremely low temperature of about -130 °C.

The most distinct adaptive reaction on cryostimulation is concentrating the blood from peripheral parts to the body core and inner organs, as well as increased production of beta-endorphins, inducing a feeling of joy and activity. These feelings, as well as the analgetic effect will persist for 3 to 5 hours after the treatment.

After finishing the treatment and leaving the cryosauna, thermoreceptors will recall the “state of emergency”, which results in intensified repletion of the acral parts – skin, muscles and joints. This activates metabolism, detoxification and starts healing and regeneration processes.

Founder of cryotherapy:“Treatment is beneficial to almost everybody”

MUDr. Ernest Caban. Founder of cryotherapy in Slovakia, author of the book “CRYOTHERAPY”

The positive effect of cryotherapy is immediate. For ordinary people, two ten-day treatments are recommended each year. Athletes, depending on the load, already know that when their body becomes accustomed to cryotherapy, it reacts differently. After the first treatments the reaction is faster. Biochemical evidence based on studies shows how rapidly all undesirable metabolites are degraded by cryotherapy stimulation in the body. Athletes and ordinary people who use cryotherapy know how to fit it into their lives. A very good approach is a cryo-cure before winter, when there is no transition period between autumn and winter. The effect of immunity and resistance lasts for 2 to 3 months throughout the winter and the flu period. I personally didn’t have flu over the last twenty years”.

“Our body perceives extreme cold as stress and produces defensive substances, endorphin hormones that protect it from stress”, says Dr. Caban. “It will reduce pain, block transmission of pain signals, release muscle fibers”, explains the doctor. “After production of endorphins, corticoids that treat inflammation are also produced in the body”, he adds. Cooling also eliminates pollutants, free radicals, lactic acid and urea from the body. In sports, it is ideal to undergo cryotherapy within 1.5 hours after exercise, along with maintaining hydration and supply of minerals.

“Cryotherapy helps to regenerate the athlete‘s muscles, improves mental health, helps with weight loss and revitalization of the skin, slows down aging, smoothens the skin by rejuvenating the body. Treatment is beneficial to almost everybody from 3 years old up to high age. Contraindications are serious heart conditions, vascular and oncology diseases.”

MUDr. Ernest Caban

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Cryotherapy In Medicine FAQ

Do I need cryosauna if I own a medical center?

If you are a medical center owner cryosauna Cryomed Pro or Cryomed Pro Ultra is the best investment that you can make for your business! It is good for the health of your customers and good for a business interest of you, as an owner. When people come for treatment, they invest in their health. By investing in Cryosauna you can launch a reliable business without a large capital, without putting all on the line. Just 6 m2 needed to start with.

Whole body cryotherapy is currently the most efficient and most comprehensive method of treatment and stimulation by extreme cold. Thanks to its wide spectrum of effects, it is used by medical and rehabilitation facilities around the world. Cryosauna represents an ideal ergonomic and effective solution for hospitals, orthopedic, rheumatologic or rehabilitation centers.

What are the health benefits of cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is highly popular because of its benefits for health. Among them:

pain relief (including arthritis pain);
reduced inflammation;
muscle healing;
dementia prevention;
migraine headaches treatment;
skin conditions treatment;
dealing with mood disorders, etc.

How much does a cryotherapy treatment cost?

Today you can find cryotherapy almost everywhere: in a cryo center, at SPA or fitness center. Sports, beauty and medical facilities add cryotherapy to the list of services. The final price of cryotherapy treatment depends on the country and additional services the cryotherapy center proposes to its clients. On average, a cryo session costs about $30. It could be cheaper to buy a monthly package.

Cryotherapy for wrinkles

A wrinkle, also known as a rhytide, is a fold, ridge or crease in an otherwise smooth surface, such as on the skin. Skin wrinkles typically appear as a result of ageing processes.

Besides the most common effects of whole-body cryotherapy on our organisms, there are several pleasant side effects. Among them – wrinkles prevention and wrinkles fighting. Anti-ageing qualities of the cold are widely used by women all over the world, and cryotherapy made them more effective and perceptible, easier to use.

Whole-body cryotherapy for wrinkles fighting is one of the most popular effects that use numerous cosmetic and spa salons to attract clients. Along with other effects on our skin and general well-being, cryo sessions could be rightfully called youth elixir.

Cryotherapy benefits for wrinkles

How does it work and what are the benefits of whole-body cryotherapy for wrinkles and skin condition in general?

Collagen production boost. Studies have shown that cryotherapy stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a protein that’s responsible for keeping your skin strong, supple and elastic. When collagen production dips, lines and wrinkles are more likely to form. Collagen also plays a role in replacing dead skin cells which helps skin appear radiant and youthful.
Lines and wrinkles prevention. As we age, collagen levels naturally drop and our skin becomes drier provoking lines and wrinkles. Cryotherapy stimulates the production of collagen so our skin remains elastic and supple for longer.
Skin appearance improvement. When our body is exposed to cryotherapy’s subzero temperatures, it reacts by redirecting much of the blood flow to your core, vital organs in an attempt to maintain internal body temperature. When the session is over and temperature returns to normal, nutrient-enriched blood rushes back towards our extremities, including our face. This gives your skin a chance to replace dead cells with new ones which leave us with a glowing complexion.
General well-being improvement. Whole-body cryotherapy sessions help to better sleep, reduce stress, improve mood. All these have a positive effect on the general well-being and as a consequence – skin condition.

Cryotherapy for inflammation

Inflammation is a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. Chronic inflammation can be caused by conditions like autoimmune disorders. It’s also linked to a range of health problems such as arthritis, obesity, digestive disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, some cancers, and many other issues.

Whole-body cryotherapy was invented to affect a human’s body at low temperatures without discomforting feelings. The temperature during cryo session is about -170°C, but liquid nitrogen provide “dry” cold, so your body is not overcooled.

Whole-body cryotherapy and inflammation reduction is an actual question for sports and medicine, gaining popularity day by day.

Cryotherapy for metabolism

Could whole-body cryotherapy be effective for metabolism?

Metabolism is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. The three main purposes of metabolism are the conversion of food to energy to run cellular processes; the conversion of food/fuel to building blocks for proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and some carbohydrates; and the elimination of nitrogenous wastes.

Cryotherapy and metabolism is an actual question for beauty and medical industries. How cryotherapy that is supposed to be a treatment can help to boost metabolism and lead to weight loss?

The answer is simple: whole-body cryotherapy exposes your body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time which raises the bodies metabolic rate as it works to heat back up again using a considerable amount of energy.

Some studies have shown that this can cause the body to ‘burn’ about 300-400 calories per session.

Cryotherapy benefits for metabolism

The benefits of whole-body cryotherapy for metabolism are undeniable:

The body is trying to warm itself and burn calories without any other efforts;
Some researches show that temperature changes help your body become better at processing glucose. Increased sugar metabolism can help you lose weight over time by helping your body better digest sugars that can otherwise turn into body fat.
Cryotherapy helps to recover faster. So you can spend more time in a gym or doing other exercises, experience fewer negative effects of stress, thereby speeding up the metabolism.
Cryo sessions have a positive effect on better sleep and mental state.

Cryotherapy for psoriasis

Could whole-body cryotherapy be used for psoriasis treatment?

Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease which is characterized by erythemato-squamous lesions. There are various forms of psoriasis and the degrees of severity vary from one person to another.

As psoriasis can not yet be cured, the main attention is focused on symptomatic treatment. Apart from local treatment (ointments, medicines with a systemic effect) interventions in the immune system, photo and laser therapy and certain health spa treatments are also applied.

Cryotherapy and psoriasis is a topic of many modern studies. There are a lot of controversial issues, but all studies converge in one – whole-body cryotherapy is safe and could be effective in psoriasis.

Cryotherapy benefits for psoriasis

Since cryotherapy is focused on symptomatic treatment, the main benefits are:

irritation becomes less intense;
the itching recedes;
the scaling becomes less intense;
regression of the disease;
the patient feels relief after the cryo session.

Whole-body cryotherapy is not effective for psoriasis of the scalp because the head is outside the cryosauna. In this case, a localized cryotherapy device can be used.

Cryotherapy for eczema

Eczema is pruritic dermatitis that is characterized by inflammation of the skin. In dermatology, consultations due to eczema make up 30% of total consultations. People suffering from this problem can try a treatment which includes whole-body cryotherapy for eczema.

Cryotherapy and eczema is an issue that hasn’t been fully investigated, but some effects are proven for sure. For example, after entering a cryosauna, the cold quickly calms skin irritation and red patches soon begin to decrease.

Cryotherapy benefits for eczema

If someone suffers from this eczema at a very young age, then it will often appear again years later as an adult. In some cases, eczema is concentrated in one specific area of the skin. However, some people experience episodes of eczema resulting in the spread of symptoms to other parts of the body.

That’s why both local cryotherapy and whole-body cryotherapy can be good for this purpose depending on the size affected areas and their localization.

The main benefits of cryotherapy for eczema are:

It helps to calm skin irritation;
easing pain;
rejuvenates skin, decreases red patches;
boosting the immune system, so your body would be able to heal itself.

Cryotherapy for depression

Is whole-body cryotherapy good for depression fighting? Cryomed s.r.o. has been producing cryosaunas since 2002. We know everything about its effectiveness for any disease including depression.

First, let’s see how cryotherapy effects to your body.

When the body experiences extreme cold, even for a short period of time, it sends a message to the endocrine system that the body may be in danger. This triggers a version of the classic “fight or flight” response, which in turn causes the body to release endorphins and positive hormones.

Endorphins are the body’s natural mood lifters. People with depression are believed to have a control on the release of endorphins and thus have trouble feeling pleasure and joy. The cryosauna acts to jump-start the production of endorphins, even in people who traditionally have had difficulty with moods. That’s why cryotherapy and depression fighting are the subjects of numerous studies. And most of them declare the effectiveness of cryotherapy in this issue.

Cryotherapy benefits for depression fighting

As we’ve mentioned above the main benefit of cryotherapy for depression fighting is that cold causes the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers mood lifters. This is actual for people who suffer from chronic pain, for example. Since this treatment reduces pain and promotes muscle healing and increased range of motion, it helps a person feel better both mentally and physically.

Cryotherapy also helps to concentrate, reduces anxiety, improves sleep and regulates metabolism.

Cryotherapy for insomnia

Many people face insomnia problems and the reasons for it could be different: from stress and anxiety to pain or irritation caused by diseases or injuries. And the solvation for all these factors could be whole-body cryotherapy.

The question of cryotherapy and insomnia has been studied by many researchers and all they came to the conclusion that healing with cold could be very effective. And the main reasons are:

whole-body cryotherapy for insomnia caused by stress could help to achieve better psychological harmony. It is much easier to fall asleep feeling calm and relaxed;
if insomnia is caused by pain or irritation, cryotherapy is extremely effective in pain reducement and pain relief treatment.

Cryotherapy benefits for insomnia

Whole-body cryotherapy can bring the quality of your life to a new level. It helps you to feel and look better, so in most cases, insomnia problems pass away. In addition to the above cryotherapy helps:

to improve blood circulation;
to fasten metabolism and remove toxins;
to activate immune’s system potential;
to stabilize hormones and much more.

What are the recommended intervals between whole body cryotherapy treatments?

Whole body cryotherapy is safe and it is allowed to have cryo sessions every day if you wish. But there are some recommendations related to your purposes:

If you are just starting your cryotherapy journey, it is better to get in a cryosauna 2-3 times per week for about 3 weeks to give your body time to get used to extreme colds.
If you have no serious health problems to solve with the help of cryotherapy and want to make cryotherapy for general wellness or weight-loss, you can make 3-5 sessions per week during one month and more.
For muscle recovery after a big physical overload, it will be enough for 1-2 sessions.
If you are suffering from chronic pain (for example, arthritic pain) and general inflammation, it is recommended to have 3-5 sessions per week for at least 2 months.
For post-surgical recovery, 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks.
If you want to get cryotherapy benefits for your mood, energy levels or better sleep, it will be enough to have 1-3 sessions per week.
For anti-aging effects and other skin health benefits, you can have 2-4 sessions of localized cryotherapy per week for at least 2 months.

If you are experienced in cryotherapy, it is not necessary to make a big interval between sessions, you can do it every day and even up to twice a day.