Cryo Therapy

Localized Cryo Therapy is the use of monitored -30° refrigerated air applied directly to an area of pain/discomfort on the body. This service is provided with the safest technology while the temperature of skin is gauged from start to finish of treatment, without chemicals. Skin temperature will lower anywhere between -30° to -40° from a client’s core reading, which in result stimulates what is known as a “cold shock.” The cold shock stimulates the central nervous system, thus a triggering norepinephrine release. Similar to using an ice pack, cryo therapy is an efficient way of reducing pain, inflammation and swelling at a fraction of time, while also stimulating neurotransmitters to the brain to help with many other areas of the body. Cryo therapy ranges from physical, mental and beauty benefits.

Physical Benefits:

Enhanced local circulation
Reduces pain/swelling/inflammation
Increased range of motion
Quickens injury recovery and decreases tissue damage
Relaxes muscles
Strengthens immune system (Inflammation indicates and overactive Immune System)
Increases daily caloric burn
Boosts metabolism
Tendonitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis
Contusions/Edema/Easy Bruising

Emotional/Mental Benefits:

Reduction of stress/depression
Regenerates synapsis (Memory)
Improve mood
Helps with Fatigue/Insomnia
Cognitive Function

Beauty Benefits:

Boosts collagen production
Promotes skin tightening
Minimizes pore size
Eliminate/Reduce wart size
Reduces various skin conditions: acne, psoriasis, eczema
Cellulite reduction
Stimulates hair growth

Additional Benefits:

Holistic
Non-invasive
Targeted treatment to client’s needs
Great for post-surgery procedures (skin, dental, joint, muscular, etc)
Life longevity

FAQ

How does it work?

The subzero air is blown out of a hose, ranging in 9 different air speeds and adjusted according to the localized area size and sensitivity. Stimulating and triggering the central nervous system’s norepinephrine response of an overactive immune system (inflammation), thus helping in many areas such as pain, lack of blood flow, and swelling.

Is it okay to use on the face?

Yes. There are multiple skin benefits to using cryo therapy on the face. Because the skin is much more sensitive on the face, temperature will drop between 25-35° instead of up to a 55° temperature drop. Learn more about the skin benefits above.

How long does it take?

The therapy is typically done within a 3-minute time frame, depending on the size of the localized area. Each region is approximately thr size of an open hand when adding on to your session.

Should I get Cryo Therapy done before or after a workout?

Great question, different answers:

*Short answer: Before = helps with performance. After = Decrease injury/tissue damage.

*Long answer: I personally recommend cryo therapy before working out in most cases. Please, be sure to practice a pre-workout warm-up still. Applying cryo beforehand helps create a stimulating response to the brain; sparking the nervous system, all while increasing circulation (oxygen through the body) and decreasing inflammation. The nervous system controls the response in your body’s action and reactions through the muscles, resulting in anti-inflammatory response. Cryo therapy is not recommend directly after a workout, wait at least an hour for your body to regulate the pro-inflammatory responses. An hour after your workout is when your body begins to respond to the pro-inflammatory response throughout the body, by creating good anti-inflammatory responses, your body is made to experience and produce this healthy reaction to stress.¹ However, if you are training competitively, cryo is recommended immediately after a hardcore workout to trigger an increased healthy dose of anti-inflammatory release of norepinephrine to your body, to reduce the risk of muscular tissue damage.

What are the contraindications?

Cases of the following are when cryo therapy should not be applied:

Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Cold Urticaria
Open Wounds
Damp Skin

Why add localized Cryo Therapy to Peaceful Healing's services?

As a therapist, using my body each day I work causes a lot of wear and tear if I don't take care of myself. After an accident, my chronic lower back pain (from a sports injury in high school) had flared up and the only thing that helped the pain and inflammation fade was Cryo therapy. Also, as it became extremely painful in my inflamed and swollen thumb joints as a therapist, and Cryo therapy integrated with massage treatment was the lifeline of saving my thumb joints; thus, saving my career. From throbbing pain, to complete relief and normal function there was no reason I should not add Cryo as a convenient add-on service to my clients. It was the only thing that truly targeted the area and helped the region of need. I thought integrating it with massage would truly enhance the anti-inflammatory benefits, along with the multiple advantages Cryo has to offer. After doing research, I came to the conclusion that this would be a great fit for my current clients and future clients to come, at a reasonable and fair rate.

Does it work well with Massage Therapy?

Absolutely. Increasing blood flow to the area will result in bringing a dilated source of oxygen and nutrients to the treated area. During this process, any remaining metabolic waste from new injury, chronic pain or general lack of blood flow is flushed out, promoting more effective healing. There is an increased advantage in using varieties of techniques of massage therapy after a Cryo treatment to support the increase of blood flow. With the integration of massage, the systems of the body are able to respond quicker with the precise therapeutic touch, allowing the systems of the body to correspond and interpret healing properly. When doing Cryo therapy, I also recommend adding on Raindrop therapy, Cupping, and/or Hot Stones.

How often should I get Cryo therapy done?

As any therapy, consistency is key to receiving longer-lasting improved results. Each client responds differently to treatment(s). For some, clients may notice drastic changes within a short period while others may hardly notice any effects. Regardless of how a client’s body responds within his/her nerve endings (physical feeling), cryo therapy is helping within multiple systems of the body. For high level training athletes, a minimum of 2-3 treatments is recommended per week. Those suffering from chronic pain, it is recommended a minimum of one (1) treatment per week to bi-weekly after treating the area to a confined level of pain. Those having issue with general aches, treatment is recommended to stunt the pain as the aggravation reoccurs. For post-surgery patient procedures (with doctor consent) or recent injuries (strain/sprain), it is highly recommended for prompt treatment for multiple and consistent care, up to 7 visits a week until swelling is reduce and pain levels have dropped. Ultimately, it depends on the client’s goals, their need for relief, what they are able to afford, and how much time they are able to commit to getting optimal results.

Is it painful?

Each client is different with their nerve endings sensations. The skin temperature of the client is lowered anywhere between 30° to 50° less than starting temperature, the goal is to drop a clinet's skin temperature to 35° on large muscle regions, while dropping to 45-55° on sensitive areas such as the feet, face, and hands. It is a very cold sensation and may be painful in short increments during treatment; however, the re-warming process instantaneously begins when cryo treatment concludes, reducing the brisk sensation. For the best result it is recommended to drop to the minimum of 50.° The temperature drop can always be adjusted to the client’s comfort, eventually working up to the potential goal in the future.

1 “…exercise affords the body an opportunity to practice responding to stress, streamlining the communication between the systems involved in the stress response…The less active we become, the more challenged we are in dealing with stress.”

-Dr. Matthew