How to Improve Performance and Reduce Recovery Time by Using Cryotherapy
As a coach I often get asked what can I do to increase my performance and speed up my recovery time so I can get back to working out and training. Back in my playing days the best and fastest way to speed up recovery was to use cold ice baths and icepacks to help with soreness, injury and overall recovery. However, today technology has made it possible to speed up the time and do it without getting wet. Today athletes can use what is called Cryotherapy to help speed up the recovery.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is the remedial application of cold temps to the body for therapy of physical and mental illness. Now the expanded form is whole body cryotherapy ( see pic of me) which expands the application to the entire body. Cryotherapy was pioneered by a doctor in Japan in 1978 who used it on his patients who had pain and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis.
How does it work?
If you visit a cryotherapy facility you will enter into a cryosauna wearing only gloves, underwear, socks and slippers ( they provide the gloves, socks and slippers). Once you are in the tank you are surrounded by dry, gasiform nitrogen where the temp ranges between -130 degrees C to -150 degrees C. Your total time is 3 minutes. Essentially what happens is the skin reacts to the cold and sends messages to the brain that acts as a stimulant to the regulatory functions of the body. It produces the scanning of all areas that may not be working to their fullest potential. The skin exposure to the extreme temperatures also triggers the release of anti-inflammatory molecules and endorphins.
My experience
I have heard about cryotherapy and have been curious as to what is was all about. So, one week I had had 3 really tough workouts at Orangetheory Fitness and posted to Facebook I need to soak in a cold tub of ice water when a friend of mine who owns a cryotherapy facility in Frisco, TX suggested I come in and try it. I have to admit I was a little nervous at first. I mean what sane person is going to voluntarily expose themselves to -130 degrees Celsius. Not to mention that I am a Florida boy and hate the cold.
I have to admit it was a pretty fast three minutes and I didn’t really start getting cold until about 30 seconds left. Also, when I got out and got dressed I did a euphoric feeling that left me walking away feeling really good.
Is Cryotherapy for you?
Well a lot of the news and press has been with celebrities and athletes using it to help them recover and feel better but if you are a cyclist, runner, cross fitter, play team sports or just a recreational athlete and you want to increase your performance and recovery so you can get back to training then I suggest you give it a try.
If you live in Frisco, Plano or surrounding area give Elite-Cryo a call or go visit them. They are located at the Dallas North Tollway and Eldorado ( Near Market Street). Their number is 214-705-1688 and tell Lisa I sent you!
In Health,
Coach Dave
