Whole-Body Cryotherapy Benefits & Risks

Doctors routinely use extremely cold temperatures to freeze off skin tags and warts and remove abnormal tissue and cancerous cells in certain types of cancers and low-risk tumors. This treatment is called cryotherapy and is performed using liquid nitrogen or argon gas. At home, it’s common to use ice packs to treat pain, swelling, and inflammation. An ice pack can also be used to control minor bleeding.

More recently, a therapy called whole-body cryotherapy has gained popularity. This is a non-medical treatment usually offered in spas and wellness centers and involves subjecting the entire body to extreme temperatures.

Please continue reading to learn what happens during whole-body cryotherapy sessions and the health benefits of this treatment.

What is whole-body cryotherapy?

Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is a treatment in which you sit in a cryogenic chamber or booth for 3-5 minutes to subject your body to extremely low temperatures ranging from -165F to -220F (-110C to -140C). You typically wear underwear and sit in the cold chamber for several minutes. Other versions of cold therapy include cold water immersion in an ice bath or localized cryotherapy using a wand to expose target areas such as painful joints to very cold temperatures.

How effective is full-body cryotherapy?

Some people believe whole body cryotherapy (WBC) treatment stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities. However, many of the potential health benefits of cryotherapy treatment are not yet proven. More research is needed to answer the question: Is whole-body cryotherapy effective?

Nonetheless, the treatment is a minimally invasive procedure and is generally considered safe as an adjunct treatment when performed by trained providers. It may be an effective alternative treatment for a range of health conditions. It is important, however, to undergo cryotherapy under the supervision of experienced providers because it poses risks that can be life-threatening.

What are the long-term benefits of whole-body cryotherapy?

Provide pain relief

Sports medicine studies have shown that whole-body cryotherapy can help speed up muscle recovery from muscle damage due to intense exercise. It can, therefore, potentially enhance exercise performance in athletes. However, there is only anecdotal evidence of this being true. For example, one small study found that cold water immersion was more effective than whole-body cryotherapy in reducing muscle soreness.

Cryotherapy has also been found to relieve chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, and certain autoimmune diseases. However, the treatment can only reduce pain for about 90 minutes. A study found there was no significant change in pain levels after 4 weeks of cryotherapy treatments. However, because localized cryotherapy reduces pain for a short time, this short-term pain relief can be used to encourage more intense participation in physical and occupational therapy by people with joint and muscle pain.

Reduce inflammation

Inflammation is a way for the body’s immune system to respond to injury or fight infections. Inflammatory processes are believed to play a role in many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and dementia. A study in rats showed that cryotherapy is useful in reducing inflammation, but it does not enhance muscle repair. It is unclear if these possible benefits are present in humans, and more research is needed.

Improve atopic dermatitis

Exposure to very cold temperatures can reportedly increase the body’s anti-oxidative response. People who swim regularly in cold water have been found to have higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in their bodies. One study found that people with moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) who received whole-body cryotherapy three times a week for 4 weeks had an improvement in symptoms. Interestingly, women reported more benefits than men.

Treat migraine headaches

Migraine headaches occur when there is a narrowing of blood vessels in the skull. A small study found that localized cryotherapy to the neck region with a wrap can help these blood vessels expand and reduce migraine pain for 30 minutes but not completely eliminate it. Three-fourths of the participants in the study felt the treatment helped them.

Aid weight loss

Whole-body cryotherapy may help with weight loss because the cold temperatures increase metabolism and force the body to work harder to stay warm. However, one study found that 10 cryotherapy sessions made no significant difference in weight, fat mass, lean mass, or water weight. It is, therefore, unlikely that ice baths alone can help you lose weight.

Reduce anxiety and depression

Small studies have shown that whole-body cryotherapy treatments for 3 weeks can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms by 50%. However, further research and larger studies are needed to study the effects of cryotherapy on anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

Prevent dementia

Changes in circulation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses contribute to the development of dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease. Since cryotherapy has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, it is possible that whole-body cryotherapy may help in preventing age-related cognitive decline. However, this has not been proven.

Prevent and treat cancer

Medical cryotherapy procedures are used to freeze off cancer cells and abnormal tissue, both internally and externally. Given that cryotherapy has anti-inflammatory effects, it may play a role in preventing and treating cancer, but again, this is unproven.

What are the negative effects of whole-body cryotherapy?

Whole-body cryotherapy is not FDA-approved to treat any medical conditions, including pain, stress, anxiety, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. This treatment lacks evidence and should be undertaken with caution.

Possible risks of whole-body cryotherapy include asphyxiation (lack of oxygen), especially when liquid nitrogen is used to achieve extremely low temperatures. The presence of nitrogen vapors in a closed room can lower oxygen levels and result in oxygen deficiency. This can lead to a loss of consciousness and even death. Other risks include frostbite and eye injuries from the extreme cold.

Who should not do whole-body cryotherapy?

Children, pregnant women, and people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, blood circulation problems, uncontrolled asthma, or health conditions like cold urticaria should not try cryotherapy techniques. In people with cardiovascular conditions, the cold temperature can make the blood vessels narrow and increase blood pressure. In skin conditions like cold urticaria, a reaction can develop within minutes of exposure to cold temperature. If someone has peripheral neuropathy, exposure to ice crystals can potentially cause further nerve damage.

Do not get carried away by medical spas advertising the benefits of cryotherapy. Always check with your healthcare provider before undergoing whole-body cryotherapy at a medical spa or wellness center.

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