Welp. I have to start by saying that I despise cold. I avoid it at all costs and complain 90% of the time I’m in a cold area. Ski vacations are hell to me unless I’m bundled up near a fire with a cup of hot cocoa infused with baileys and snuggling with a super attractive partner and the snow is outside away from me.
Soooooo, cryotherapy - where you immerse most of your body into a frigid standing tank/booth type structure - was already something I was skeptical about.
BUT, in the name of science, I had to give it a go.
Cryotherapy operates off the theory that the constricting nature of cold will reduce inflammation and, therefore, reduce pain. You get unclothed, get inside the tank, and the practitioner comes in the room and stands in there until your time is up or you say ‘uncle’. They can’t see your nakedness when you’re inside the booth.
The sessions are only a few minutes and mine was followed by compression devices on my legs to improve circulation and an oxygen thing that was scented put up my nostrils. The leg compression things gave me claustrophobia feels and the oxygen felt nice, but I wish I’d opted for the scent free version because I was imagining chemicals shooting up my nose.
Final Thoughts
Having studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for so long, we learn that ice really isn’t the way to go unless it is a super acute super swollen injury and even then ice should be used with lots of moderation. Heat is a more impactful way to improve circulation which is a cornerstone of all healing. So, maybe it was this acupuncturist bias or maybe it was my “I hate cold more than pretty much anything!” demeanor, or maybe it was the fact that I really am not suffering from any inflammatory injuries, but I won’t be back for another cryotherapy session.
The main takeaway here is to listen to your body.
If you have a body that responds well to super duper cold things then this may be something you want to try.
If you have a body that hates cold then do yourself a favor and skip this one.
Be well.
xo,
Jenna
cryotherapy