Have you ever considered adding whole body cryotherapy (WBC) as an additional service to your chiropractic practice?
What information do you need to make this decision? Do you know the benefits of cryotherapy? How can you determine if it would be a good fit for your business?
To answer these questions and more, Chiropractic Economics interviewed cryotherapy provider Marissa Nelson, general manager of Restore Hyper Wellness in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, who provides some valuable insight into cryotherapy benefits, delivery methods, safety precautions and expectations during cryotherapy treatments. Information excerpted from Restore Hyper Wellness’s Cottonwood Heights WBC Waiver is also included here.
Introduction to whole body cryotherapy
An ancient practice adopted for modern medicine, the word cryotherapy stems from the Greek words cryo or cold and therapeia or cure. WBC is being used as a curative and overall beneficial treatment involving skin exposure to extremely low temperatures (below 130 degrees C/266 degrees F).
Cryotherapy benefits
Cryotherapy may help the body:
- Promote healing and athletic recovery!
- Improve circulation
- Defy signs of aging
- Burn calories and slim down
- Enhance mood, energy and sleep
- Dial up natural defenses
- Relieve pain, swelling and stress
- Improve circulation
What is a typical cryotherapy session like?
Treatments are limited to three minutes per session for WBC. Local cryotherapy and cryotherapy facial sessions may take up to 15 minutes. Sessions are brief because overexposure to the cold temperatures may cause chilblain.
During the treatment, patients must avoid inhaling the nitrogen fumes. While nontoxic, the fumes are devoid of oxygen and may cause fainting. Avoiding the fumes can be accomplished by keeping your head above the chamber (specific to Juka machine).
During cryotherapy treatment, patients disrobe to expose their skin, but they must wear the following protective items:
Men: Gloves, underwear, cotton or wool socks and slippers with soles. Earmuffs and face masks are recommended for comfort and are required in the electric chamber; if patients choose not to use them, you should let them know they are doing so at their own risk. All jewelry and piercing(s) should be removed before entering the cryo chamber.
Women: Gloves, cotton or wool socks and slippers with soles. Earmuffs and face masks are recommended for comfort and required in the electric chamber; if patients choose not to use them, you should let them know they are doing so at their own risk. All jewelry and piercing(s) should be removed before entering the cryo chamber.
Patients then enter the chamber, the door is closed and the treatment begins.
Important things to remind the patient:
- You may end the treatment at any time if you experience any problems or anxiety. If you experience any issues, you should notify the staff member operating the cryo chamber immediately.
- Abnormal skin sensitivity to cold may be caused by certain foods, cosmetics or medication, including but not limited to tranquilizers and blood pressure medication. Patients should notify you of anything they use that could alter their sensitivity.
- A person less than 18 years of age may not use WBC without parental consent; a person less than 12 years of age may not use WBC regardless of parental consent.
- It is recommended clients using the Juka machine rotate 33 degrees every 30-60 seconds.
- It is recommended clients continue moving while using the electric chamber.
At the end of the treatment time, the staff member operating the unit will open the door and help the patient exit if necessary.
Additional safety precautions
Remind patients they should not exercise or shower prior to the chamber treatment, and not apply any lotions, oils, cologne or alcohol-based products to skin for at least one hour prior to their treatment. Any type of body condensation will freeze during exposure. You should offer a towel for patients to pat themselves dry before entering the chamber. Condensation and/or moisture of any kind may make the patient’s skin more susceptible to severe burns.
It may be helpful to you to include complete precautions and contraindications on your web site, as well as develop a paper brochure you can share with patients before their appointment so they can review this important information.
What are the different ways to deliver the process? What are the pros/cons of using each?
“Specific to our Restore Utah locations, we have two variations of cryotherapy:
Localized cryotherapy: We use the Cryo Science, CRYO Penguin. A small nitrogen tank in a portable case delivers nitrogen cooled air to zero in areas needing the most support,” said Nelson. “Local cryotherapy is a great spot treatment and a lot more comfortable than ice packs. It can help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in your targeted treatment area. The session will take approximately 10 minutes.”
That spot treatment can include just the patient’s face. “It can promote collagen and has been beneficial in reducing the pain associated with migraines and sinus conditions,” she said.
Whole body cryotherapy offers patients several health benefits, she noted. “A cryotherapy chamber emits a dry, subzero vapor that drastically cools down a person’s skin temperature and puts them into a fight-or-flight state, delivering a variety of benefits, including pain relief and decreased inflammation,” she said. “Your body temperature dropping during this session can allow you to receive some good benefits like full-body anti-inflammatory, collagen production, metabolism boost and endorphin release.”
Look for additional details on cryotherapy in part 2 of this article.
