Cryotherapy: An Ancient and Modern Treatment ❄️

  • Etymology and source

    - Cryotherapy , or cold therapy, combines the use of cold with advanced medical techniques to treat pain and inflammation. The term "cryotherapy" comes from the ancient Greek: "cryo" means "cold" and "therapy" means "treatment."

    - The idea of using cold in medicine is not new. Hippocrates (circa 460-370 BC) already recommended the application of snow and ice to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

  • Scientific basis

    In the 19th century, James Arnott (1799-1883) pioneered this period by experimenting with the use of ice to treat chronic pain and inflammation. His work helped establish modern cryotherapy on a solid scientific basis.

  • Cryotherapy today

    Today, cryotherapy includes eliminating cancer cells, reducing inflammation, relieving muscle pain, stimulating endorphin production, tightening skin, and aiding in athletic recovery. According to Futura Sciences, cryotherapy can be applied topically or by total body exposure in a cold cabin.

Differences between Global and Localized Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is mainly divided into two types: global cryotherapy and localized cryotherapy, each with distinct applications and advantages.

Global Cryotherapy

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBCT) involves exposing the entire body to extremely low temperatures, often around -110°C to -140°C, in a cryogenic chamber or cabin.

This technique typically lasts between 2 and 4 minutes. The primary goal is to induce a systemic response that improves blood circulation, reduces overall inflammation, and stimulates the release of endorphins. Whole body cryotherapy is commonly used for:

Sports recovery : Accelerating recovery after intense workouts.

Pain Management : Reduction of chronic and inflammatory pain.

General well-being : Improved mood and increased energy through the release of endorphins.

Localized Cryotherapy

Localized cryotherapy targets specific areas of the body using cold application devices, such as probes or sprays.

This method generally uses less extreme temperatures than whole body cryotherapy and is applied directly to the affected area.

Localized cryotherapy is often used for:

Specific Pain Treatment : Reducing pain in specific areas such as sore joints or muscles.

Aesthetic treatments : Cellulite reduction, skin tightening, and treatment of skin lesions.

Targeted Recovery : Relief from post-operative pain and accelerated healing of localized injuries.

Medical applications of cryotherapy

Treatment of cancer cells

Used to destroy tumor cells by freezing.

Reduction of inflammation

Effective in reducing chronic and acute inflammation. By acting on pain receptors and nerve transmission, but also through the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, cryotherapy is a good analgesic .

Muscle pain relief

🏋️‍♂️ Used by athletes to reduce post-workout soreness and promote recovery.

Muscle strength

Insep has shown that after a trail, runners regain their maximum muscle strength after 1 hour after whole-body cryotherapy, compared to 24 hours after an infrared session.

Cryotherapy: A breakthrough in the treatment of parietal endometriosis 🧘‍♀️

Parietal endometriosis is a specific and still little-known form of endometriosis, often detected in women who have undergone surgical procedures such as caesarean sections.

This pathology is characterized by the growth of endometrial cells, normally located inside the uterus, in the abdominal wall, which can cause cyclical pain and palpable nodules at the scars.

Historically, surgery was the primary treatment method for this condition. However, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital has recently incorporated cryotherapy as an effective alternative.

This minimally invasive technique uses a refrigerant gas to cool a needle inserted into the endometrial nodule, creating an ice cube at -40°C that destroys the pathological cells.

The treatment, which lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, is distinguished by its speed and simplicity compared to traditional surgical methods.

Cryotherapy and metabolism 🧍🏼