What are Cryotherapy Tanks and How Can They Help You?

Cryotherapy tanks are becoming quite popular, especially among athletes. You might wonder what the benefits of cold therapy are, and whether they can be relevant to you. Read on to find out what cryotherapy is, how it works, and what it feels like to use a cryotherapy tank.

What is a Cryotherapy Chamber?

A cryotherapy chamber, also known as a cryosauna, is a chamber or enclosure that exposes a person's body to extremely cold temperatures for several minutes. The chamber typically uses liquid nitrogen or refrigerated cold air to create temperatures ranging from as low as -100°C (-148°F) all the way down to -160°C (-256°F)

During a cryotherapy session, the user enters the chamber wearing minimal clothing, such as active wear. The cryotherapy service provider might also advise the user to wear protective gear — such as gloves and socks — to protect against frostbite. The session typically lasts for two to three minutes, during which the extreme cold triggers the body's natural healing mechanisms.

How Does a Cryotherapy Chamber Work?

A cryotherapy chamber works by exposing a person's body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time. While the user remains in the chamber, the cold triggers a number of potentially beneficial physiological responses in the body.

• Vasoconstriction: The cold causes blood vessels near the surface of the skin to narrow, reducing blood flow to the extremities and redirecting it to the body's core. This can help reduce inflammation and swelling.

• Endorphin release: The cold can trigger the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers. This can help alleviate pain and create an overall feeling of well-being.

• Increased metabolic rate: The body works to generate heat to maintain its core temperature in response to the extreme cold, which can lead to an increase in metabolic rate. Many people are interested in increasing their metabolic rate to aid in weight loss.

• Improved circulation: After leaving the chamber, the body begins to warm up and blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate, increasing blood flow and delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. Alternating treatment with very cold and warmer temperatures has long been recommended as a treatment for various types of injury.

After the session, the user may experience a range of other positive sensations, including a feeling of euphoria, increased energy, and reduced pain and inflammation. For this reason, athletes often use cryotherapy as part of the recovery phase of their training. Some experts think that cryotherapy might also help with recovery from injury.

Cryotherapy is a very controlled way of gaining the potential benefits of exposure to extreme cold. It is therefore safer than alternative methods, such as using ice on an injury or jumping into very cold water.

Features of Cryotherapy Tanks

In addition to their ability to create very cold temperatures, cryotherapy tanks often have a range of other features, which can enhance the therapy experience.

• Touchscreen to input temperature, air flow settings, and other treatment protocols.

• Client-facing screen to show the remaining treatment time.

• Speakers to play calming music or enable communication with the cryotherapy tank operator.

The following features of a cryotherapy chamber are essential to keep the user safe:

• Body temperature tracking to protect against frostbite and other negative effects.

• Active ventilation to ensure no exposure of the user to the nitrogen gas used to cool the chamber.

• Active circulation system to improve temperature balance inside the chamber.

• Emergency stop button that can be used by either the tank user or the service provider.

• Door that never locks and can be easily opened from inside or outside using very little force.

• Emergency shut-off that automatically shuts down the cryotherapy tank if a problem is detected.

• Head sensor to detect if the user's head drops below a certain level and then automatically shut off the valeves.

Is Cryotherapy Right For You?

Thanks to the advanced features of modern cryotherapy tanks, you can rest assured that cryotherapy is safe. As long as you go to a reputable cryotherapy service provider, you can relax and enjoy the potential therapeutic benefits of this treatment.

Cryotherapy might be right for you if you have a condition that could benefit from the effects that this treatment offers. For example, vasoconstriction can be helpful in aiding athletic recovery. You might also benefit from the general wellness benefits of cryotherapy.

Here are a few specific reasons why you might be interested in trying cryotherapy:

• To speed up muscle recovery after exercise or training

• To assist in recovery from an injury

• As a complement to physical therapy

Are you ready to find out more about cryotherapy, its benefits, and how it works? Get in touch today to request more information about cyrotherapy services.