Is Cryotherapy Safe?
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a range of temperature-based treatments used for medical and wellness purposes. The word cryotherapy comes from the Greek words cryo meaning cold and ‘therapeia‘ which means healing.
The cryotherapy spa treatment offered at River Oaks Drip Spa applies cold, dry air for therapeutic purposes. Our whole-body cryotherapy treatment is applied using our state-of-the-art cryo chamber. The process takes only a few minutes, but the results can be remarkable.
Some benefits of cryotherapy include:
- Relief from conditions like muscle pain, arthritis, and joint disorders.
- Reduced inflammation: this can speed healing and strengthen the immune system.
- Increase in physical energy and boost metabolism, which can support weight loss.
- Targeted cryotherapy may help in reducing migraine headache activity.
How Safe is Cryotherapy?
River Oaks Drip Spa clients who express interest in cryotherapy often have questions. One of the most common questions is, ‘Is cryotherapy safe?’. This is a reasonable question of course since cryotherapy is a relatively new form of treatment in the wellness sphere. Many people are unfamiliar with it.
The surprising truth about cryotherapy is that humans have actually been using cold as a therapeutic tool to help the body heal for thousands of years. More recently it has gained popularity among athletes to speed up recovery and relieve inflammation.
Numerous studies have shown that cryotherapy is generally safe and effective when delivered by a qualified individual. Some people should not try cryotherapy, however. They include pregnant individuals, children under the age of 14, people with serious heart conditions, and people with severe high blood pressure.
What you should know about the safety of cryotherapy:
- Cryotherapy is safe and effective for most adults.
- Cryotherapy can provide both pain relief and speed up healing.
- We recommend that children under age 14 not undergo cryotherapy.
- Pregnant individuals should not undergo cryotherapy.
Safe and Effective Applications for Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy has many benefits for human health. It causes a natural release of endorphins and other chemicals in the body that relieve pain. Whole-body cryotherapy can provide quick relief from back and other types of muscle pain. The powerful cooling effect of cryotherapy counteracts inflammation in the body. This both reduces pain and discomfort while boosting the body’s natural healing capabilities.
Some conditions that have been shown to benefit from cryotherapy include:
- Lower back pain
- Eczema (inflamed skin)
- Depression and Anxiety
- Generalized inflammation
What Research Tells Us About Cryotherapy
A lot of research has been done into the effectiveness of cryotherapy. Not only is cryotherapy considered safe and effective for most adults — but we are also finding new uses for it every year. A study published by the NIH’s National Library of Medicine showed cryotherapy can relieve migraine headaches. Several other studies found that cryotherapy may help slow or prevent dementia. Targeted medical cryotherapy is a well-established treatment for certain forms of cancer and research suggests whole-body cryotherapy may have some preventative effect as well.
Cryotherapy at River Oaks Drip Spa
At River Oaks Drip Spa, we are a nurse-owned and family-run independent business focused on wellness. Our passion is helping people find comfort and healing by supporting the body’s natural processes using technologies like cryotherapy, IV boosts, infrared sauna, and much more. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits and safety of cryotherapy and the other therapeutic services available.
Please call us at 832-834-4405 or contact us online to learn more.