Anyone in the health, fitness and wellness space will be aware of the use of cold exposure to improve health and wellbeing.
One of the most popular and effective uses of cold is against chronic pain. Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is a safe and effective treatment against pain, and devices such as the Mecotec WBC chamber can offer a fast and effective solution to chronic pain sufferers.
In this article we’re going to look at the science and practicalities of how cold air can help to manage chronic pain.
WHAT IS CRYOTHERAPY?
Cryotherapy is a form of treatment that uses extremely cold conditions to trigger a physiological response from the body.
The treatment is delivered in several different ways, ranging from whole body cryotherapy (WBC) to a much more localised version, designed to treat a smaller area. The most commonly known type of cryotherapy is WBC, which is often used for post-exercise recovery, and management of chronic pain.
WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE SAY ABOUT WHOLE-BODY CRYOTHERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN?
There is strong scientific support for the use of cryotherapy for managing chronic pain.
A review study published in 2020 titled ‘Use of Cryotherapy for Managing Chronic Pain: An Evidence-Based Narrative’ reported that…
Both local and non-local cryotherapy applications show promise in reducing chronic pain associated with various chronic diseases including those of rheumatic and degenerative origin. Cryotherapy appears to be a safe therapy in carefully selected patients, with only minimal adverse effects reported in the literature.
This isn’t the only evidence. A 2004 study titled ‘Does Cryotherapy Improve Outcomes with Soft Tissue Injury?’ concluded…
Based on the available evidence, cryotherapy seems to be effective in decreasing pain.
A 2019 paper titled ‘Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Sports Medicine’ reviewed the use of various forms of cryotherapy in sports. It covered post-exercise recovery and injury rehab. The conclusions drawn showed…
WBC has been increasingly utilized in sports medicine during recent years. Multiple studies demonstrate WBC has promising cellular and physiologic effects which may be beneficial after rigorous exercise and/or musculoskeletal injury.
Across multiple different studies, the effectiveness of whole-body and localised cryotherapy has been supported.
IS IT SAFE?
Yes. Providing you are generally healthy and use a whole body cryotherapy chamber in the way it is supposed to be used (short duration sessions), it’s a perfectly safe form of treatment.
WHY SHOULD I USE WHOLE-BODY CRYOTHERAPY FOR PAIN?
There are several reasons why you might opt for whole-body cryotherapy for managing chronic pain. Here’s a few…
Fast treatment – The entire treatment session lasts around 1-3 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule. Unlike treatments such as massage, you can be in and out quickly and easily.
Practical – whole-body cryotherapy is a way to treat a general spread of conditions. In one session you cover your whole body, so you don’t need to book several sessions for several different issues. It’s a one-stop shop.
It’s non-pharmaceutical – long-term consumption of medication can cause a range of issues. These spread from painkiller addiction to organ failure in extreme cases. Using WBC as an approach is natural and doesn’t require chemical consumption.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
RP-X are the leading provider of Mecotec electric whole-body cryotherapy units in the UK. We have nearly two decades in the space and offer a wide range of turnkey solutions for facilities looking to invest in this technology.
For more information on cryotherapy chambers, pricing, and the right model for you, contact us on info@rp-x.com or 01234 862762.
