Many people use cold treatments to soothe sore muscles after exercising or alleviate joint pain and inflammation from arthritis. Although spending time in ice baths is a common practice, whole-body cryotherapy is gaining popularity as an alternative form of treatment. Below is a closer look at the two therapeutic solutions to determine which is better for your needs. 

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Uses Cold Vapor to Improve Body Function

During a cryotherapy session, you are enclosed in a chamber where the entire body is exposed to liquid nitrogen vapors that drop between -200 and -300 degrees-Celsius, or -220 to -280 degrees-Fahrenheit. The length of exposure lasts for two to four minutes. The cold temperatures force blood vessels to dilate, which reduces blood pressure and increase circulation. Exposure to the frigid conditions will also reduce inflammation and release endorphins. The chemical interacts with brain receptors to curb the feeling of pain. Because of the endorphin boost, people often feel energized after treatment. The cold therapy quickly corrects small muscle tears that lead to soreness to accelerate recovery time. 

Recovery Time From Ice Baths Is Longer 

Unlike whole-body cryotherapy, you are submerged in water between 54 and 60 degrees-Fahrenheit for up to 20 minutes during ice bath treatment. To reduce inflammation, the muscle tissue begins to freeze. You could feel numbness after getting out of the bath, which means it could take a while to return to normal. Generally speaking, it could take muscles up to 24 hours to thaw before you can resume an exercise regimen.

If you want to try whole-body cryotherapy for pain management, the team at Cutting Edge Cryo in Lewisville, TX, is happy to tell you more about the process and associated benefits. To schedule a consultation at the Denton County holistic spa, call (972) 850-2796. You can also visit them online to book an appointment and check out their Facebook page to see treatment photos.