How does cryotherapy work? Well, as far back as the 17th century, cryotherapy has been used in the treatment of various aches, pains, ailments, and medical conditions.
Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC), however, was developed in 1978 in Japan by Dr. Yamaguchi to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients. During treatment, Dr. Yamaguchi’s patients experienced a rapid cooling of the outer layer of skin causing a rush of endorphins. This endorphin release decreased patients’ pain sensitivity and soreness when the joints were manipulated.
Dr. Yamaguchi quickly discovered that the WBC process of rapidly cooling the outer layer of skin in less than three minutes was far more effective and less damaging than ice baths, which have a lowest temperature setting of 41 degrees and are used in excess of 30 minutes.
Before long, WBC was being used in other applications as well, including muscle recovery, weight loss, anxiety, anti-aging, and general overall health.
As your body is exposed to the cold it reacts by undergoing vasoconstriction and centralizing blood around visceral organs. This oxygenates the blood as it becomes nutritionally rich and resupplies the body providing a boost of energy and healing properties.
The skin reacts to the cold and sends messages to the brain that acts as a stimulant to the regulatory functions of the body. It produces the scanning of all areas that may not be working to their fullest potential. The skin exposure to the extreme temperatures also triggers the release of anti-inflammatory molecules and endorphins.
Generally speaking, cryotherapy and its sub-zero temperatures invoke a “fight or flight” survival mode in the body, which forgoes thermoregulation and instead focuses on activating a number of survival mechanisms centered around the body’s vital organs. In doing so, the body responds to this perceived threat to itself and its most vital organs by redirecting blood intended for the skin’s surface and extremities to its vital organs, helping to insulate them and maintain a healthy core temperature.