If you are anything like me, you have experienced your fair share of bumps, bruises and minor injuries! If so, you've probably used ice and anti-inflammatory medication in hopes to recover faster and alleviate the pain and swelling that accompanies an injury. While applying ice and taking NSAIDS on a routine basis can help reduce pain and swelling for common acute injuries, they might not be enough to completely heal your minor injury or even alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain and inflammation. Enter USCryotherapy, touted as "the most advanced recovery technology in the United States," but does it really work and is it worth the money? Here's my review of my experience with USCryotherapy!
Product Review: USCryotherapy - "The Most Advanced Recovery Technology in the U.S."
Disclamier: This is NOT me! Photo credit: caitchock.com
What is Cryotherapy and is USCryotherapy the most advanced recovery technology in the U.S.?
Cryotherapy is a fancy term for using freezing temperatures to repair or destroy damaged cells. The medical dictionary defines cryotherapy as "a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid or instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells that require removal" and this treatment can also be used to aid in the healing process of acute injuries and chronic inflammation.
Over the past few years, whole body cryotherapy (WBC) has grown in popularity in the Unites States providing recovery for athletes, people with chronic or acute pain and those individuals just interested in a healthy lifestyle. According to a representative of USCryotherapy in Tampa, their cryotherapy services use the most advanced technology in the United States. When asked to explain this further, the rep went on to say that "USCryotherapy provides various cold air treatments to enhance general wellness and improve recovery after physical activity. The process is designed to reduce whole body skin temperature uniformly between 35-45 degrees during short duration cold air exposure resulting in enhanced circulation, accelerated metabolism, reduced chronic pain, fatigue and much more. Unlike competitors, USCryotherapy offers the service in a walk-in room versus a chamber. Whole body cold air immersion with exposure to the head, neck, face and arms is critical to facilitate a uniform drop in skin temperature, and necessary to stimulate the brain’s reaction to cooling the skin. In addition, USCryotherapy does not use liquid nitrogen, making it a safer option."
But how does their cryotherapy techniques reduce chronic inflammation and improve your health? According to their website, "Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is exposure to subzero temperatures. Extreme cold stimulates skin sensors, activating a Central Nervous System (CNS) response. This causes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain inhibitors and mood elevators, while the enhanced circulation activity (blood movement into and out of the core) decreases inflammation by clearing toxins and metabolic waste with a supply of oxygen and nutrient enriched blood to stimulate cellular regeneration (faster healing). Treatments have been adopted by elite athletes and pro teams for muscle and injury recovery. WBC is becoming nationally well documented as being used for the daily management of pain, inflammation, energy, and stress related conditions. USCryotherapy is the national leader as the most complete center model concept for safe, effective, and affordable treatments available to the public."
Does this sound too good to be true? I had the opportunity to experience the USCryotherapy Chamber and local Cryotherapy Facial treatments for myself. (** Disclaimer: I did receive a free treatment at USCryotherapy, but I am not affiliated with USCryotherapy and I am not being paid / compensated for this review. This review is 100% my own words and opinions).
Here's what I thought!
Walking into the USCrotherapy center (on W Kennedy Blvd in Tampa) was an interesting experience to begin with since I was hesitant to try out a FREEZING chamber and did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and tidy the front area was and how friendly the staff was! I met with one of the owners and he took his time to explain the whole process to me. After I fully understood how the treatments work, I selected to try the WBC and local Facial treatments. Now mind you... I absolutely hate being cold and seriously have an allergic reaction to the cold ("cold urticaria") so I was terrified to subject myself to the sub-zero temperatures. After a little pep-talk from the staff, however, I agreed to "suit-up" and head into the chamber. In short, I put on the protective warm gear for my hands, feet, ears, mouth and nose (see example picture above) and entered the chamber with the owner. I was only in the chamber for 3 minutes and I will admit I was SO cold and couldn't wait to get out! It really wasn't that bad, but by the end of the 3 minutes I was uncomfortably cold and ready to leave the chamber! I honestly didn't feel any different yet (aside from being so cold and having the urticaria side effects). After leaving the chamber, I was instructed to walk on the treadmill for about 5 minutes to warm up and was so grateful to move my body and warm up my tissues. Within a minute of walking, I began to feel SO good and energized... honestly like I had just run a race and had the endorphins flowing! My muscles felt so good and "clean"... as weird as that sounds! I was seriously surprised by how good and energized my body felt! Side note: I never use ice when I am injured because I cannot last more than 7 minutes with ice on my body! I was so impressed that I lasted 3 minutes in the chamber! I also never experienced the endorphin release from an ice pack... so there's that!
Now onto the Facial: this 6-minute treatment felt really cool (pun intended) and did not hurt one bit. I was able to sit in a super comfy chair that the technician tilted all the way back while she performed the local facial treatment and I nearly fell asleep. It definitely was cold, but not nearly as freezing as the WBC. My face felt so clean and taught (like the collagen in my face just tightened up) and again I felt pretty energized and alert!
While I honestly did not have any injuries or felt any real pain before getting the Cryotherapy treatments, I felt VERY good and full of energy when I left! I only received one treatment and believe it would take several treatments on a routine basis to heal an injury or cure chronic inflammation, but I do believe that USCryotherapy would be a safe and effective treatment for any injuries and chronic inflammation. And I absolutely 100% believe in the CNS response and endorphin rush following only 3 minutes of WBC!
Again, I don't recommend Cryotherapy for everyone (especially if you have a cold allergy), but I do recommend USCryotherapy if you have an acute injury or suffer from chronic inflammation. In my opinion, it is definitely worth trying it out if you are interested in Cryotherapy and can afford the fees of such advanced recovery technology. Speaking of fees, the rep provided me with this statement about the costs that I would like to share with you as well - "USCryotherapy offers an affordable, top-of-the-line experience. Depending on location, sessions average about $30 but with the purchase of a package, sessions average $25. Discounts may be available when multiple sessions are purchased in a package.
For more information, contact USCryotherapy to find a location near you and please feel free to ask me any questions you may have regarding my experience!