Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: CryoSauna

Cryotherapy takes the idea of icing an injured body part to a whole new level. Imagine standing inside a tubular structure stark naked, and feeling the effects of liquid nitrogen that's been cooled to a mind-boggling 200 degrees below zero. It sounds crazy, but some are saying that it works wonders for chronic pain problems.

Cryosauna unit
Image Source: Wikipedia

"Cryosaunas", as they are called, are not widely available here in the US...but they are beginning to appear in various locales. That being said, since its introduction in Japan in the 1970s, there are some true believers. There's not much in the way of scientific study to back the claims, but those who have regular treatments have said the following:

that they experience a feeling of euphoria during treatment
sleep quality is improved
relief from joint pain, arthritis
calorie burn--over 500 to 800 calories are burned over the next several hours!
flushes out toxins
pain relief is instantaneous

How does it work? During exposure to such extreme cold, the body rushes blood to the core to protect the vital organs. This helps to flush out toxins that cause pain and inflammation. This method is superior to ice bath because the skin does not risk damage due to exposure to cold and wet. Instead, it stays dry and mostly comfortable.

If you're interested here are some links to to more information:

Cryotherapy clinics promise a big chill with benefits (Star-Telegram Article)

Cryosauna (Wikipedia article)

Sources: Star-Telegram, Wikipedia

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