Five Benefits of Cryotherapy

Editor's Note: This article is provided by MedHouse, powered by R3 Health in West Palm Beach.

Credit: MedHouse

5 Benefits of Cryotherapy
By Joseph Radich, PA-C, Founder of MedHouse

​What exactly is Cryotherapy and how does it work? 

Medhouse’s whole body cryotherapy chamber is designed as a method of recovery. For up to three minutes, your body is subjected to extreme cold which activates your autonomic nervous system. This process creates a surge of energy, reduction of inflammation, and a noticeable reduction of muscle strain and pain.

Here are five known benefits of Cryotherapy: 

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​Pain Relief and Muscle Healing
Studies have demonstrated that cryotherapy can help relieve muscle pain and muscle disorders, like arthritis. Cryotherapy is also beneficial in aiding with faster healing of athletic injuries and reducing harmful effects of extreme exercise. Ice packs and cold compresses are a traditional treatment for injured or painful muscles; cryotherapy functions similarly by increasing blood circulation post treatment, thus, promoting healing and pain relief. Cryotherapy has also shown to help reduce pain associated with migraines. 

Reduction of Inflammation
Studies have suggested that cryotherapy can help reduce inflammation in the body. The cold chamber brings the skin and muscle temperatures down, which helps with pain and swelling. Further, reducing inflammation can benefit overall health and reduce the risk of numerous ailments such as cancer, dementia, and mental health conditions linked to inflammation. 

Supporting Weight Loss
Cryotherapy supports weight loss in several ways. Essentially, the cold chamber forces the body to work harder to stay warm, leading to an expenditure of energy. Individual treatments can burn hundreds of calories and help boost metabolism. Further, cryotherapy helps relieve bodily pain, making it easier to exercise. Overall, cryotherapy is quite effective for weight loss, especially when combined with other weight loss strategies, such as a healthy diet and consistent exercise. 
 
Skin and Anti-Aging
Physicians have linked cryotherapy to several skin health benefits. Cryotherapy helps anti-aging processes by increasing collagen production, which minimizes pores and smooths wrinkles. Further, it can help minimize acne and acne scars as cryotherapy sessions expel toxins from the skin and help diminish redness and irritation. Additionally, cryotherapy can suppress the inflammatory symptoms of skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.  

Improving Sleep
Cryotherapy has been shown to improve sleep and lessen fatigue. The exposure to extremely cold temperatures increases the production of a hormone called norepinephrine which is connected to energy, sleep/ wake cycles, and activation of REM sleep. This endorphin release combined with the reduction of inflammation from cryotherapy sessions work together to help individuals fall asleep, sleep more deeply, and stay asleep longer. 

As always, it’s important to ask your medical provider about the risks and benefits of any antidote, treatment, or procedure to learn how they may affect you, based on your medical history. 

MedHouse is located at 2513 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. For more information, visit medhouse.co.