WBC was originally developed in Japan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has been researched and refined in Europe over the past two decades. Sports, Health and Spa professionals in U.S. have discovered then benefits of whole body cryotherapy.

Yes, Cryotherapy has been used in Europe and Asia for almost thirty years. There are numerous clinical studies and many are listed on this website in the Research Tab.

The client steps into the cryosauna which uses gasiform nitrogen to rapidly lower the skin surface temperature to 30°F to 32°F. The cryosauna temperature ranges between -238°F to -274°F for the two to three minutes of treatment. The brain reacts to the skin sensors by stimulating the regulatory functions of the body.

WBC treatments result is a very different response from the body. Three minutes of extreme, dry cold reaches only the top skin layers and receptors causing the brain to restrict blood flow to an internal cycle. Fifteen minutes of cold water therapy initially causes the body to move blood to the extremities and results in a chilled lowering of the body’s core temperature.

No, nitrogen is a friendly, non-toxic gas. Nitrogen composes 78% of the air that we breathe. The other components are 16% Oxygen, 1% Hydrogen and 5% other gases. Nitrogen is as common and safe as Oxygen.

Dry socks with a slipper/sandal for the feet, light cotton gloves for the hands and a dry undergarment. All jewelry, watches, chains, bracelets, earrings are removed. Cryotherapy is a dry cold with no moisture and tolerable even to those who consider themselves cold-intolerant.

Cryotherapy involves hyper-cooled air flowing over the skin surface so the process never freezes skin tissues, muscles or organs. The result is only a “feeling” of being cold. The body is being tricked into believing that this extreme cold is life threatening.

Cryotherapy stimulates the body to release endorphins, the hormones that make us feel good and energetic. The buoyant effects from each session typically last for six to eight hours. Many clients report improvements in their sleep quality after cryotherapy.

No. The immediate cold impact of the cryotherapy will raise the internal body temperature for a short period of time. The stimulation of the immune system can help decrease the severity and frequency of future colds.

WBC is very well tolerated and has minimal risks. Fluctuations in blood pressure during the procedure by up to 10 points systolically (reverses after the procedure as peripheral circulation returns to normal), allergic reaction to extreme cold (rare), claustrophobia, anxiety, activation of some viral conditions (cold sores, etc.) due to stimulation of the immune system. Protective clothing (socks, gloves, undergarments) must be dry in order to avoid frostbite.

The following conditions are contraindications for WBC: Pregnancy, severe hypertension (BP > 180/100), hypothyroidism, acute or recent myocardial infarction (heart attack: need to be cleared for exercise), narrowing of valves, crescent-shaped aorta and mitral valve, unstable angina pectoris, arrhythmia, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, cardiac pacemaker, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, venous thrombosis, acute or recent cerebrovascular accident (stroke: must be cleared for exercise), uncontrolled seizures, Raynaud’s syndrome, fever, tumor disease, symptomatic lung disorders, bleeding disorders, severe anemia, infection, claustrophobia, cold allergy, acute kidney and urinary tract diseases, incontinence, age less than 18 years (parental consent required).

Depending upon the condition being treated, it should initially take seven to ten treatments in close succession (every other day). After this initial loading period, maintenance treatments should be once per week.

Yes, an advantage of cryotherapy over ice therapy is that tissues and muscle are not frozen. Ten minutes of light exercise post cryotherapy will induce more rapid vasodilation of the vessels and capillaries, and extend the period of analgesia.