While we may not have reached the point where freezing our bodies to wake up at a future date is a possibility, there are some other benefits that have been found for exposing the body to extremely low temperatures. Cryotherapy is the treatment that uses extremely cold air to treat patients for a lot of different problems. The meaning of the term is “cold therapy”, and it can be used either locally or for the entire body. We already use cryotherapy in some ways, and you may have experienced it as well in the form of ice packs, ice baths, coolant sprays, ice massage, etc. These are all the different methods that were not used for localized cryotherapy.
The more recent and advanced method that is becoming popular these days is whole-body cryotherapy or WBC. This method involves immersing the entire body in extremely cold air for around 3 to 4 minutes. The process involves standing in a chamber that covers your entire body but has an opening on top for the head to stay open. Using nitrogen, the body gets exposed to temperatures as low as 300°F. Research has shown that you can get benefits from this treatment even in a single session. However, most people use it regularly or even every day. Here are some of the benefits that you can get from using cryotherapy LA for your body.
- Mitigates Migraine Issues
One of the effects of using cryotherapy is that the nerves present in your neck area become numb from the cold. In previous research on migraine, scientists found that applying cold packs on that area and reducing blood flow in the carotid arteries resulted in a noticeable reduction in pain for migraine patients. Given the proximity of these arteries to the skin, cryotherapy can also bring the temperature down in that area and produce the same result.
- Mood Disorder Treatment
Exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures causes it to release several different chemicals including endorphins, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. The endorphins are the key chemicals that our body releases when we are happy. Such a state of mind can be extremely effective at combating problems like depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. One study has also found that going for a cryotherapy session can impact both depression and anxiety levels.
- Treating Arthritis
One of the worst physical things that a person can suffer from is the one you get if you are suffering from arthritis. Localized cryotherapy is already being used as a treatment for this problem. The results of that treatment have shown a lot of promise and increase the tolerance of the patient for further treatment as well. WBC also seems to have the same impact and is believed to even allow patients to endure much more aggressive sessions of occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
- Treating Low-Risk Cancerous Growth
One of the most astounding treatments that cryotherapy is providing is to treat cancers with low-risk factors. By employing localized cryotherapy, medical professionals can freeze cancerous cells and surround them with ice crystals. The process is called “cryosurgery” and patients who fulfill the criteria already getting this treatment. It is certainly one of the most exciting developments in the field of cryotherapy and the results are also quite positive.
Conclusion
There is no doubting the fact that their therapy is still a relatively new type of treatment and it will be a while before we can truly employ it in every medical field. As for the side effects, typical ones include tingling sensations, numbness, redness, or skin irritation. These typically go away within 24 hours but you may contact your doctor if they stay longer.
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