Whole-body cryotherapy at minus 110 °C

Therapy in the three-chamber system
Whole-body cryotherapy takes place in a three-chamber system. The first two are lock chambers with temperatures of minus 10 °C and minus 60 °C that are used for brief acclimatization. These chambers are also designed to prevent too much cold escaping from the actual therapy chamber. Users stay in the therapy chamber for about three minutes. The extremely low temperature has an effect on the entire body, causing skin vessels to contract and a redistribution of blood. Users wear a facemask, nose and ear protection, gloves, socks and sturdy shoes to protect sensitive body parts against frostbite. This type of therapy works very well with most people, even older individuals.

Freeze pain with whole-body cryotherapy
The extreme cold primarily blocks the transmission of pain. This means that the “light” pain caused by the low temperature – which is not unpleasant – is superimposed over the unpleasant “dull” pain. As has now been determined by medical research, chronic pain is often associated with “pain memory”, which can cause strong reactions even with the slightest amount of pain. Whole-body cryotherapy breaks this cycle.
The extreme cold also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which is used in treating chronic inflammation. So this therapy is also suitable for treating rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, eczema and psoriasis. The low temperatures block the itching in the latter.

The performance-enhancing effect of whole-body cryotherapy comes from the redistribution of blood: It is pressed from the skin and increases circulation in muscles. Athletes use this effect to improve their training results.

Two to three times a day – for young and old
Whole-body cryotherapy is most effective over the course of a three-week stay using the cryogenic chamber two to three times daily – with a three to four-hour break in between each time. Sometimes the beneficial effects are apparent after one treatment. Most people report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms after about 14 days – and this positive condition can last up to half a year. As with all therapies, there are also contraindications for whole-body cryotherapy. For example, it may not be used on people with cardiovascular problems, after a stroke or heart attack, or on those who suffer from epilepsy, untreated high blood pressure or circulatory disorders. This treatment should also not be used on individuals who have an acute illness such as a cold. As far as age goes, children as young as four years old may use the cryogenic chamber (accompanied by an adult) under certain circumstances. Otherwise, people of even very advanced age may use it.