Cryotherapy: Is it safe? Weighing the risks and rewards

Jan 28, 2024

There's a bizarre new obsession in the world of alternative therapy that's capturing everyone's attention: cryotherapy. It has attracted the likes of Farhan Akhtar, Rakul Preet Singh, Jennifer Aniston, and Cristiano Ronaldo. It is believed that it boosts wellness, releases feel-good hormones, and relieves chronic pain. But does it really deliver on its promises? Let's dive into the chilling world of cryotherapy.

Cryotherapy is a treatment where your body is exposed to extreme cold to lower its temperature and freeze and eliminate harmful tissues. It can be used on your entire body or specific areas. In some cases, doctors may even use it internally to combat harmful tissues. Cryotherapy is believed to reduce inflammation and assist in the treatment of diseases, skin conditions, and muscle recovery.

Cryotherapy works by applying extreme cold to abnormal tissues, causing the cells to perish. When the abnormal tissue is exposed to such freezing temperatures, the cells cannot survive and eventually die. To create this intense cold, healthcare providers use substances like liquid nitrogen, liquid nitrous oxide, or argon gas. There are basically two types of cryotherapy: whole-body and internal cryotherapy.

Internal cryotherapy applies extreme cold using a cryoprobe, a cold instrument used to freeze tissues during cryosurgery. The probe is inserted through a small incision in the skin. It's used for treating precancerous cells, tumors, and various cancers like cervical, liver, prostate, and bone cancer. Your doctor will use local anesthesia, and sometimes general anesthesia, if needed, to ensure your comfort during the treatment.

You are exposed to sub-zero temperatures in a cryo chamber for about two to three minutes. This frosty treatment shocks your body and jumpstarts its self-repair magic. It is often used to ease joint and muscle pain, relieve stress, and fight inflammation. It's also great for promoting healthy skin and mental well-being. It is considered to be relatively safe and the most popular one.

The cryo chamber makers and the spas and wellness centers that offer the service claim it can help with health issues like asthma, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, chronic pain and fibromyalgia, depression, migraines, multiple sclerosis, and different types of arthritis. Some proponents also believe it helps in weight loss and insomnia, enhances circulation, boosts metabolism, and eases post-workout pain.

Although many spas and wellness centers make bold claims, there's no solid evidence to support the effectiveness of WBC in treating conditions like Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, stress, anxiety, or chronic pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not found any proof to back up these claims. In fact, they haven't even approved any WBC device in support of these claims.