In 1978 Toshima Yamauchi, a Japanese medical doctor, was searching for a treatment to help sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis. He began using what we now call isolated cryotherapy to the surface of the skin of the affected areas, with great success in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Today, the treatment has evolved and we now know there are many benefits of cryotherapy for arthritis sufferers of all types. But is there any other real evidence to support these claims?
What do the studies show?
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Medical research in 25 studies were analyzed and reported great results for both localized (isolated) cryotherapy and non-localized or what's called whole body cryotherapy (WBC) for the relief and treatment of chronic pain associated with rheumatic and other degenerative diseases.
Review of this research shows that both types of cryotherapy can be used to treat and reduce pain, reduce inflammation and increase range of motion for those suffering with arthritis.
More Evidence
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Other articles report cryotherapy, an ice-cold therapy treatment, is good for pain relief and the reduction of inflammation in inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. This study also points out that cryotherapy is good for acute pain in acute injuries, treating them by reducing inflammation and tissue damage.
Another study here provides research that whole body cryotherapy helps patients with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis and relief from symptoms like fatigue. There is plenty of evidence to be found in support of these benefits of cryotherapy treatments.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic or long term inflammatory disease of the joints that causes pain, inflammation and painful stiffness in the joints affected. Cold therapy and the use of ice packs has been prescribed by doctors for hundreds of years.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive inflammatory disease also affecting the joints that causes extreme pain, swelling, deformity and immobility. It is especially prevalent in the fingers, wrists, ankles and feet. Both types of arthritis plus others report a decrease in muscle and joint pain and swelling, and an increase in function after a cryo session.
Cold therapy and ice have been used as a common treatment for a long time, so it's not surprising that isolated cryotherapy is also an effective method for relieving the pain of arthritis.
What Is Isolated Cryotherapy?
At NuWave Cryotherapy Skin and Light Spa, we offer isolated or localized cryotherapy to treat arthritis sufferers and more. This localized form of cryotherapy treatment exposes the skin to ice cold air at temperatures between -30°F to -34°F for short amounts of time, mimicking benefits of ice on an injury but much more efficiently.
Health and wellness comes first at NuWave, and we believe that isolated cryotherapy treatments can decrease muscle and joint pain and inflammation, boost the immune system, rejuvenate the skin and blood, help any injury heal faster and give you a better quality of life as a result. The process is safe and effective.
What Is Whole Body Cryotherapy?
NuWave Cryotherapy Skin and Light Spa is also proud to offer whole body cryotherapy or WBC, a process that brings the temperature of your skin down by exposing the body to freezing cold air as low as -248°F. You only stay in the chamber for about 3 minutes or so at a time, but the treatment is effective on many health and wellness levels.
When the body is exposed to such freezing temperatures, the initial system response is extreme. The brain triggers a fight or flight response as the blood rushes inward to protect vital organs. Multiple different systems are triggered.
When you step out of the cryo chamber, oxygenated blood rushes back to your extremities, more endorphins are released and a healing process begins.
Benefits of Cryotherapy
There are many benefits of cryotherapy for multiple different ailments like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and all inflammatory diseases in relieving pain and swelling. A cryo treatment session for athletes promotes faster healing times for injuries.
In fact, entire professional sports teams have adapted cryotherapy as part of their regular routines and report better exercise performance as another benefit. It helps muscle and joint pain and overall quality of life is improved.
Is Cryotherapy Safe?
Studies have overwhelmingly shown that there is very little medical risk and very little negative side effects. The pain from rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis is excruciating, and cold therapy has been prescribed by medical professionals for hundreds of years.
Cryotherapy is just a more effective process, and more comfortable than an ice bath! Though you should always check with your doctor before starting any new treatment, cryotherapy is safe.
Which Type of Cryotherapy Is Best?
All types of cryo are beneficial. Here at NuWave Cryotherapy Skin and Light Spa, we even offer cryo facials, which help rejuvenate your skin and give you a healthy glow and a more youthful appearance.
We have found that many people who suffer from arthritis prefer isolated or localized cryo, as it is a more specifically targeted type of treatment.
However, some people prefer WBC and the overall effects of this form of cryotherapy. We suggest you give them both a try to see what works best for you!
Come Check Us Out At NuWave Cryotherapy Skin and Light Spa
We offer many different treatments here at NuWave, so check out our menu to see all the different ways you could treat yourself. When you're suffering the debilitating pain of any kind of arthritis, if you could be helped by cryotherapy, then why not give it a try?
Cryotherapy is a much more efficient and effective form than using ice packs or baths to relieve pain and swelling from arthritis. With 23% of all adults in the United States suffering from arthritis in one form or another, a remedy is desperately needed. So book your appointment today, and get back to doing the things you love!