Is Cryotherapy an Effective Treatment for Inflammation?
Many patients who suffer from chronic conditions that cause inflammation become dismayed about having to rely on drugs and medications and seek out alternative therapies.
Cryotherapy has long been used a treatment option for professional athletes to help them recover from the physical stress and common injuries of their respective sport, but it wasn’t really used as a mainstream treatment. Now that more and more Americans are turning to less traditional practices for wellness, cryotherapy is receiving a lot more attention as a healthy habit
If you suffer from conditions that cause chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, you may be considering cryotherapy as a supplemental treatment option.
Is Cryotherapy Right for You?
There are many reasons for the surge in popularity that many alternative treatments such as cryotherapy are experiencing. One of the most popular reasons is the reluctance that many people feel about having to take prescription medications on a regular basis and for an unknown length of time.
If you are one of these people, cryotherapy may be a suitable option to help you experience relief without having to rely solely on medications. With a treatment such as cryotherapy, we strongly advise that you discuss the treatment with your doctor prior to trying it, especially if you’ve been attempting to treat depression naturally.
This therapy can be hard on your system, and if you are not overly healthy, or have a heart condition, it may not be effective for you, and could even be harmful. You will have a health review prior to your treatment where your blood pressure will be checked in order to determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment. You will also need to be free of any skin infections before it is safe to undergo cryotherapy.
As an alternative treatment, cryotherapy is typically administered as a whole body treatment where you enter a capsule-like booth for a short period of time such as two to three minutes.
Different from an ice bath, whole body cryotherapy utilizes a dry, rather than wet, coldness that many people find easier to tolerate. While there is limited scientific information about cryotherapy treatment and its effectiveness in treating inflammation and other conditions, it is a practice that has been successfully used in Japan for decades.
How Often Will I Need to Receive the Treatment for Optimum Effectiveness?
Like most other treatments, the effectiveness and frequency will vary from person to person. Professional football players can sometimes use it one or two times each day to recover from their games and to accelerate the healing process from their injuries.
After you have received medical clearance to receive the treatment, you will want to see how your body reacts to the initial session. Once you have determined that cryotherapy is appropriate for your needs you can decide the treatment schedule that is best for you. One of the most common treatment schedules is to receive daily sessions for a period of 10 days to two weeks. Following this initial treatment phase, treatments are then be scheduled once a month.
If you are interested in cryotherapy, discuss the option with your health care provider and see if they have a preferred provider that they trust. Finding the right medical spa for you can come down to personal preference and where you feel most comfortable, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends for recommendations.We also recommend that you visit the spa before you begin your therapy to make sure that you are comfortable with their services and level of diligence.
Cryotherapy is a great option for the treatment of inflammation and can help you to lead a fuller, more vibrant life!
