Cryotherapy devices: cryochamber, cryosauna or local device?

Cryotherapy - cold therapy - is an umbrella term: it covers every procedure that applies low temperatures for therapeutic purposes. From local cold treatment devices to whole-body cryochambers and cryosaunas there are several technologies, and their investment requirement, operation and know-how differ significantly.

In this guide we go through what cold therapy can do, which CRYOTHERAPY TOOLS are available, and what to look out for if you are looking for equipment for a sports club, a wellness area, a practice or the home. It is important to distinguish at the outset between cryotherapy for regeneration and medical cryotherapy: the latter may mean, for example, a dermatological procedure carried out with liquid nitrogen or the targeted freezing of tissue.

What does cryotherapy mean?

The prefix cryo means cold. The essence of cryotherapy is that the body receives an intensive cold stimulus for a short time. In a whole-body treatment the air temperature can fall below -100 degrees C, while the treatment itself typically lasts only a few minutes.

At first this sounds extreme, but the key is dry, very cold air. The thermal conductivity of air is considerably lower than that of water, so in a few minutes the core temperature of the body does not fall as much as the figure measured in the chamber might suggest. It is mainly the skin and the surface tissues that cool down, and the body may respond to this with a range of physiological reactions.

During the cold stimulus the blood vessels may contract temporarily and blood flow in the skin may change, then after the treatment, on returning to normal temperature, they widen again. In parallel with this, the functioning of the nervous system, the circulation and certain inflammatory processes may also change.

The types of cryotherapy - and the equipment that goes with them

Cryotherapy does not mean a single treatment. The technology used depends on whether you want to expose the whole body or only a smaller area to cold - and this also determines what kind of device you will need.

The literature treats WBC and PBC separately, so results relating to one cannot automatically be applied to the other - when choosing a device this difference matters a great deal. There are also medical cryotherapy procedures that serve an entirely different purpose: in dermatology, for example, lesions are removed with liquid nitrogen, while in cryoablation extreme cold is used to destroy diseased tissue in a targeted way. These are medical interventions and are not the same as cryotherapy for regeneration.

How does whole-body cold affect the body?

The body works to maintain a constant internal temperature. When the skin suddenly finds itself in a very cold environment, several defensive mechanisms may be set in motion.

Contraction of the peripheral blood vessels may reduce the blood supply to the skin, thereby limiting heat loss. After the treatment, in an environment at normal temperature, the vessels gradually widen again. Cold also acts on the sensory receptors of the nervous system - this may partly explain why many people report a temporarily reduced sensation of pain or a fresher feeling after the treatment.

What are cryotherapy devices used for?

The most common area of use for whole-body cryotherapy is recovery - which is why cryochambers appear in the equipment of sports clubs, gyms, physiotherapy practices and wellness areas.

Recovery after sport and training

Cryotherapy became popular first of all among athletes: it is often used after intensive training in cases of muscle fatigue and general physical strain. In some controlled trials participants reported better subjective recovery and less muscle soreness, while the results for the objective restoration of performance are less clear. It is therefore worth regarding it as a complement to regeneration rather than a miracle method.

Muscle pain and overload

Cold may reduce the sensation of pain, which is why many people try it alongside muscle fatigue, intensive sporting loads or temporary musculoskeletal complaints. The scientific evidence, however, is not consistent: according to the Cochrane review there is currently not enough good-quality evidence to state with certainty that whole-body cryotherapy effectively prevents or treats post-exercise muscle soreness.

Inflammatory processes

One of the most studied areas of cold therapy is the modification of the inflammatory response. On the basis of current research it is conceivable that whole-body cryotherapy may have an effect on certain inflammatory mediators. This does not mean, however, that cryotherapy is a treatment method for inflammatory diseases in its own right.

Well-being and mental freshness

Many people feel more energetic and more alert after the treatment. Studies have also been carried out in connection with mental health: a 2021 meta-analysis found preliminary favourable results in terms of depressive symptoms and quality of life, for example, but the studies were conducted with small participant numbers and significant methodological differences. The authors therefore called for further large, controlled trials.

Sleep and general recovery

Some research and user feedback also report better sleep quality, and research into the effects of cryotherapy on the nervous system is currently ongoing. This should not be treated as a guaranteed effect either: the response may differ from person to person.

Who is it worth buying a cryotherapy device for?

Cryotherapy equipment is most often bought by sports clubs, gyms, physiotherapy and regeneration centres, wellness areas and private individuals who live an active life. It may be a good decision if you need a regular, repeatable cold stimulus - whether for your own training load or to support the recovery of your guests.

You do not have to be a professional athlete to use cryotherapy - recreational athletes and everyday guests also take up the treatments. The right indication, however, is always individual: if someone has persistent pain, inflammation or another health complaint, the cause should first be investigated rather than treated with cryotherapy alone.

How does a cryotherapy treatment work?

The exact procedure depends on the type of equipment and the protocol of the operator, but it generally consists of a few simple steps - it is worth knowing these even if you are buying a device, since you will need to build your own protocol on them:

• Before the treatment it must be checked whether any exclusion criterion applies.
• The guest steps into the chamber in appropriate, dry clothing. The hands and toes are particularly sensitive to cold, so depending on the protocol gloves, socks or other protective clothing may also be needed.
• The air temperature in the chamber is extremely low, while the time spent inside is short - typically a few minutes. Staying inside longer does not necessarily mean a greater effect, but it may increase the risk of a cold injury.
• After the treatment the body gradually warms up again and circulation in the skin increases. Many people report a sense of freshness, warmth or lightness straight afterwards.

What can you feel during the treatment?

The first sensation is of course the intense cold. Since the treatment is short and the air is dry, however, many people experience it differently from, for example, immersion in cold water. Tingling, a tightening of the skin or a strong sensation of cold may occur.

The treatment is not about „enduring” the cold. If someone experiences pain, numbness, unusual dizziness or any other unpleasant symptom, the treatment has to be stopped.

How many sessions are needed? How much will the machine run?

There is no answer to this that applies to everyone. Some people try it as a one-off experience, others use it regularly, matched to their training load. Research often examines protocols consisting of several treatments, but there is currently no generally accepted number of sessions that is optimal for every purpose. When buying equipment this question matters for capacity planning: commercial operation may mean several dozen cycles a day, so it is worth comparing the cooling capacity and the recovery time as well. The available models and their specifications are CRYOTHERAPY TOOLS page.

A cryotherapy chamber or a cold water plunge?

Both apply a cold stimulus, yet they are quite a different experience and quite a different investment. In cold water the body loses heat much faster because of the good thermal conductivity of water; in a cryochamber the air temperature is far lower, but dry air draws heat away more slowly. A -110 degrees C cryochamber therefore cannot simply be compared with an ice bath at a few degrees. On the basis of current research it is not proven that whole-body cryotherapy is in every case more effective for sports recovery than simpler cold treatment methods - the difference shows itself more in comfort, treatment time and repeatability.

Cryo sauna and cryochamber: are they the same?

In everyday language they are often used as synonyms, but technically the difference is significant. In a whole-body cryochamber the entire body, including the head, is in the cold environment; in partial-body cryosaunas the head in many cases stays outside the cold space. The cooling technology may also differ: there are electric cryochambers and units that run on nitrogen. Before buying, this is one of the most important differences to clarify.

What cryotherapy devices are there, and which one is worth choosing?

The experience of the treatment, the parameters and the running costs are all largely determined by the technology used to cool the chamber or the body surface. In practice you will come across four solutions on the market.

Local cryotherapy devices

Handheld or stand-mounted devices that blow strongly cooled air onto a given part of the body - a painful knee, ankle or shoulder, for example. A targeted, short treatment, easy to dose, requiring no change of clothes, and the smallest investment. In return, it acts only on that area: it does not trigger a cold stimulus affecting the whole body. Ideal for a physiotherapy practice, a sports medicine practice or as a supplementary device.

Dry ice (carbon dioxide) local treatment

Also a local method: carbon dioxide is delivered close to the skin, where it evaporates and cools the surface very quickly. Its advantage is the extremely short treatment time; its disadvantage is that it can only be applied over a small area and requires a continuous supply of gas cylinders - this running cost is worth calculating in advance.

Nitrogen (partial-body) cryo saunas

These cabins cool by evaporating liquid nitrogen. They are typically partial-body (PBC) units: the head stays outside the chamber. They reach very low temperatures quickly and their purchase price is lower. It is important to know, however, that nitrogen vapour displaces oxygen from the air in the cabin - which is why the head has to stay outside, and why ventilation of the room and oxygen level monitoring are essential. The temperature can be stratified inside the cabin (colder at the bottom), and the nitrogen supply has to be maintained continuously: the tank, transport, storage and the associated occupational safety rules are all part of the operation.

The electric cryochamber - this is what we distribute

An electric cryochamber cools the air in the chamber itself with a refrigeration (compressor) system, without adding gas. Our CRYOHEALTH cabins work this way too, and this brings several practical advantages:

This difference also matters because the research relating to cryotherapy research was carried out with different equipment: the results of a nitrogen PBC cabin and an electric WBC chamber cannot necessarily be compared directly. When choosing a device, always check what type of chamber was used in the study the manufacturer refers to.

Is cryotherapy safe?

With an appropriate protocol, short cold exposure may be trouble-free for most healthy people, but the treatment does carry risks. Adverse events connected with cryotherapy have been documented in the literature, so prior screening and taking the exclusion criteria into account are essential - as an operator this is your responsibility too.

Who is cryotherapy not recommended for?

The exact contraindications may also depend on the equipment and protocol used, so the manufacturer documentation is always decisive. It is particularly important to consult a specialist or a doctor in advance in the following cases, for example:

• significant cardiovascular disease, serious circulatory problems,
• inadequately controlled high blood pressure,
• a condition involving sensitivity to cold, sensory disturbance,
• another serious underlying condition,
• pregnancy – a prior medical consultation is also justified in this case.

If someone is not sure whether the treatment is right for them, it is not worth guessing: ask for a medical opinion.

Cryotherapy and weight loss: does it really burn a huge number of calories?

Spectacular claims often appear in connection with cryotherapy, saying that a few minutes of treatment burns several hundred calories. These should be treated with reservations - and as a device distributor one must not make such claims either. The body does indeed use energy to maintain its temperature, but there is currently no adequate evidence that a few minutes of whole-body cryotherapy on its own causes significant or lasting weight loss. For weight reduction, energy balance, nutrition, regular exercise and lifestyle remain the foundation.

Can cryotherapy help the condition of the skin?

Circulation in the skin and its appearance are also often mentioned in connection with cryotherapy. A cold stimulus can indeed bring about temporary physiological changes in skin circulation, but that is not the same as proven treatment of skin conditions or lasting rejuvenation of the skin. Among devices aimed at the condition of the skin, the red light therapy devices work on a different principle - and cryotherapy for regeneration should also be distinguished from dermatological cryotherapy.

When is it worth investing in a cryotherapy device?

Cryotherapy equipment can pay for itself where there is demand for a regular, repeatable cold stimulus: in a sports club to support recovery during the competition season, in a wellness area as a new service, in a physiotherapy practice as a complementary procedure, and at home alongside your own training load. Before deciding, it is worth thinking through daily utilisation, space requirements, the electrical supply and the maintenance requirement as well.

It is important not to see it in isolation. It can be complemented well by the other regeneration devices - the oxygen therapy cabin or pressure therapy device – but it does not replace regular sleep, adequate fluid intake, balanced nutrition, exercise and, where needed, specialist medical or physiotherapy treatment.

Summary: what is worth knowing about cryotherapy devices?

Cryotherapy is a family of methods that applies extremely low temperatures. During whole-body cryotherapy for regeneration the body is exposed to very cold, dry air for a short time. It is mostly used for sports recovery, alongside muscle fatigue, to improve well-being and for wellness purposes - which is why cryochambers are appearing in more and more clubs, studios and homes.

The research results are promising in several areas - particularly regarding the inflammatory response and subjective recovery - but the current evidence does not support every health claim that circulates in connection with cryotherapy. It is therefore worth regarding it as a modern regeneration device that may be a useful complement to an active lifestyle for certain users - but not a universal cure. Choosing the right equipment, keeping treatments short and controlled, following the safety protocol and taking individual health status into account are all important parts of safe cryotherapy.

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