Cryotherapy involves applying extremely low temperatures to the body, leveraging its natural responses to cold exposure. This article explores the specific temperature ranges utilized, how the body reacts to intense cold, and the safety measures implemented to ensure a secure experience.
Understanding Cryotherapy Temperatures
Cryotherapy temperatures vary significantly by application. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exposes individuals to cold dry air, ranging from -110°C to -140°C (-166°F to -220°F). Some systems reach -170°C (-274°F) or -200°C (-328°F). These temperatures are achieved through specialized chambers or cryosaunas.
Localized cryotherapy targets specific body areas and involves a wider range of temperatures. Devices for localized treatments deliver cold air between -20°C and -78°C (-4°F to -108°F). In medical applications like cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen directly freezes and destroys abnormal tissue, reaching about -196°C (-320°F) at the nozzle.
The cold in these systems is generated using different mediums. Many whole-body cryotherapy chambers use vaporized liquid nitrogen to cool the air within the chamber. Alternatively, some modern cryochambers employ electric cooling systems, which circulate super-cooled air without using liquid nitrogen directly in the breathable environment. The choice of medium and application method influences both the actual temperature achieved and how the cold is perceived by the skin.
How Your Body Responds to the Chill
When exposed to the extreme cold of cryotherapy, the body initiates several immediate physiological responses. One primary reaction is vasoconstriction, where blood vessels in the skin and extremities narrow. This redirects blood flow from the surface towards the body’s core, helping to maintain the internal temperature of vital organs and limiting heat loss from the skin.
The body’s metabolic rate also changes in response to cold exposure. To generate heat and counteract the rapid temperature drop, the body increases its metabolic activity. Shivering is another common and involuntary response, involving rapid, rhythmic muscle contractions. This muscular activity generates heat, contributing to the body’s efforts to warm itself.
The intense cold can also lead to a temporary numbing sensation in exposed areas. This occurs as nerve conduction velocity, the speed at which nerve signals travel, slows down due to decreased tissue temperature. These reactions are the body’s automatic ways of adapting to and protecting itself from the cold stimulus.
Safety Protocols for Extreme Cold
Given the extreme temperatures involved, strict safety protocols are implemented during cryotherapy sessions to ensure individual well-being. Exposure durations are carefully controlled and kept very short, typically 2 to 3 minutes for whole-body cryotherapy sessions. Exceeding this recommended time is not advised, as it can increase risks without offering additional benefits.
Sessions are always conducted under the supervision of trained operators who monitor the individual throughout the process. These professionals ensure adherence to safety guidelines and can intervene if discomfort or adverse reactions occur. Specialized protective gear is also a standard measure, including thermal socks, slippers, gloves, and sometimes ear protection, to shield sensitive extremities from frostbite.
Before a session, individuals undergo health screenings to identify contraindications that might make cryotherapy unsafe. Conditions such as severe hypertension, certain heart conditions, Raynaud’s disease, or cold intolerance are typically contraindications. These precautions collectively contribute to managing the risks associated with exposure to extreme cold.