Cryotherapy
How can Cryotherapy nourish you?
Derived from the Greek word ‘krýos’ for cold, cryotherapy involves the use of cold water, ice compresses or gas on local or large areas of the body. This can be used to treat the skin, reduce inflammation, and help recover from sports injuries.
Today, cryotherapy includes everything from localised applications (like ice packs or dermatological freezing of lesions[1]) to whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) and partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) in specialised chambers or saunas. These technologies chill the air to between –110°C and –140°C, for two to four minutes—a rapid exposure designed to activate healing mechanisms without damaging the skin.
Cold water and compresses have been applied therapeutically since the times of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome[2] to hasten recovery and reduce inflammation. Since the 1800s, it has been used to treat headaches neuralgia and skin conditions. Modern cryotherapy developed in Japan by rheumatologist Dr Toshima Yamaguchi[3] used it to treat arthritis and to enhance immunity.
Recently, cryotherapy has become popular amongst elite athletes to hasten muscle recovery from exercise, enhance injury rehabilitation and increase energy.
In Australia, medical devices are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and must be listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)[4] before they are legally sold. Three devices for whole-body cryotherapy have been listed on the ARTG to date.
Therapists of an ARTG-approved cryo chamber must receive certification from the respective company’s national training manager to provide cryotherapy. The safest cryo chambers cool the air with nitrogen before use, so for the best treatment choose a cryo chamber that has no liquid nitrogen in the actual chamber.
Put simply, there are several types of cryotherapy commonly available:
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Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC): Involves standing in an enclosed chamber where the entire body (including the head) is exposed to extreme cold using refrigerated air or cooled nitrogen gas.
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Partial-Body Cryotherapy (PBC): Uses an open-top cryo sauna, where the user’s head remains outside the chamber. Nitrogen vapor cools the air around the body below the neck.
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Cryo Hydrotherapy / Cold Plunge: Submerging the body in ice-cold water, a traditional method offering a different physiological response than dry cold chambers.
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Localized Cryotherapy: Includes ice compresses, localized cold sprays, or devices used to treat specific joints, injuries, or skin lesions.
Each form of cryotherapy has unique applications, and your goals—be it pain relief, recovery, immune support, or skin rejuvenation—will help determine the best fit.
Benefits of Cryotherapy
Though further rigorous research is needed to substantiate all therapeutic claims, emerging data and thousands of client reports suggest that cryotherapy may support:
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Pain relief and inflammation reduction
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Recovery from injury and muscle soreness
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Improved energy and metabolic function
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Enhanced circulation
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Boosted immune response
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Reduced symptoms of arthritis and autoimmune conditions
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Better sleep, mood, and mental clarity
A 2019 literature review noted consistent subjective improvement in pain, fatigue, and recovery among athletes who used cryotherapy regularly.
In regulated settings like Australia, devices must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)[4]. Practitioners must be certified by the chamber manufacturer’s national training manager.
What to expect from a Cryotherapy session
Before a cryotherapy session[5], the clinician will request you to fill out a form explaining the process and ask you to change into thermal socks, gloves and slippers (compulsory). A headband, shorts and top are optional. Entering the cryo chamber you will be enveloped in an icy mist. After 2-4 minutes you will exit and change. No aftercare is required. People often report a transient energised effect after the session.
While whole-body cryotherapy is generally considered safe if the preparation and procedures are adhered to, there are some rare but real risks which include burns, frostbite and gas asphyxiation. Due to the extreme temperatures you will be exposed to, it is not recommended if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart issues, lung disease, poor circulation or allergy symptoms triggered by cold or peripheral neuropathy. Pregnant women and children should not try cryotherapy[6].
As with any exercise or wellness program, please consult your medical professional before commencing cryotherapy. If you have any concerns at all, also speak to your therapist, who will be happy to address these and evaluate whether it is a suitable treatment for you.
1. Cranwell, William C., and Rodney Sinclair. Optimising cryosurgery technique. Australian Family Physician; 2017.
2. The History of Cryotherapy. CRYO; [cited on 2024 Nov 27].
3. Lee BY. What are the cold, hard facts on cryotherapy? Forbes; 2016.
4. Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA); [cited on 2024 Nov 27].
5. Maron DF. Is Supercooling the Body an Effective Therapy? Scientific American; 2016.
6. Villines Z. What are the benefits of cryotherapy? Medical News Today; 2023.