Whole Body Cryotherapy Facts

Forms of cryotherapy have been around for a long time: ice packs and ice baths. Lately there is a fad where doctors and clinics are pushing what is called Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) with a lot of claims to benefits that are not substantiated. These offices claim many health benefits but the research isn't there to support it and quite the opposite shows you should put your time and money into more useful forms of treatments.

With Whole Body Cryotherapy you are put into a chamber at temperatures of minus 75 to 166 degrees Fahrenheit for around 3 minutes. Studies show you can get the same effect if not better just sitting at home and putting an ice pack on yourself!

Dr. Andrew Weil, a world renowned doctor, published an article about Whole Body Cryotherapy stating, "I have seen no reliable evidence that cryotherapy provides these benefits. In fact, it’s questionable if whole-body cryotherapy even works as advertised for muscle soreness." In his article he even discusses a death and injuries from this form of therapy.

Another study in Open Access of Journal of Sports Medicine states there is little proven benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy.

Although WBC has been touted as a remedy for many conditions from depression, muscle soreness and recovery, aging, weight loss, boost in immune system and others, manufacturers of this equipment don't have to get approval from the FDA to be sold. Deborah Kotz, FDA spokesperson, states, "No whole body cryotherapy devices have been cleared for medical purposes." Injuries have been reported and one death has even occurred.

These chambers carry risks that ice baths or ice packs do not have. If you accidentally touch the side of the chamber you can be frost burned. If you spend too much time in a chamber can experience increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, loss of coordination and confusion. William Adams, director of sport safety policy at the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut says, "Eventually if you're in too cold of an environment for too long the core cools down to the point where, worst case scenario, you could have sudden cardiac arrest."

Whole Body Cryotherapy is just another fad used by many practitioners and clinics to get more money out of your pockets. Even insurance companies won't pay for this form of treatment because it is experimental. Save yourself the time and money by staying home and using a simple ice pack. Then consult a doctor that uses treatments that have current valid studies to show effectiveness so you get the full benefits of therapy for a quick recovery that gets to the cause of your problems.

There are active and passive forms of treatment. Passive treatments at best provide temporary relief of symptoms. Active therapy is aimed to correct the underlying cause of your problem.

Do yourself a favor and skip the Whole Body Cryotherapy!