Exposure to cold can constrict the blood vessels and tissues of the body which shunts blood back into the core (a typical survival response) but in a controlled method, it causes a massive movement of blood from the extremities and to the core and then back out to the extremities. In a way it is very similar to hydrotherapy, with alternating hot and cold treatments to do the same mechanism. The constriction of the tissues also releases endorphins which helps elevate the mood, and provide a “feel good sensation” to the body. When the blood from the core is shunted back out to the extremities post procedure it brings a fresh supply of nutrients, white blood cells, oxygen, and even lymphatic movement.
All of these components expedite healing. This is why it’s widely used for healing and speeding up injury recovery/post workout soreness.
In naturopathic medicine, stagnation in the body (often caused by lack of movement) is one of the foundations for promoting disease. By trapping lymphatic fluids, poor nutrient concentrations, low oxygen, and limited immune cells, we decrease the healing process.
We can promote circulation in the body with temperature (sauna, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy), medicinal herbs (ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, turmeric, hawthorne), and of course movement/exercise!
For regulating muscular pain, it is believed that cryotherapy, or exposure to cold in general, blocks the signals from traveling to the brain preventing the sensation of pain.
Cryotherapy is highly recommended for acute pain. It is best paired with a good physical therapy/chiropractic routine if you have recently injured yourself and can help expedite recovery.
Caused by the shunting of the blood to the core and back out to the extremities post cryotherapy, this transfer of blood increases amino acid uptake and promotes the enzyme prolinase, both of which ramp up the body’s natural collagen production. This increase in collagen, paired with the tissue constriction that moves the lymphatic system both help to reduce cellulite appearance and increase skin quality. Amino acids are essential for collagen formation, organ health, muscle maintenance and neurotransmitter productions. Eating a clean, protein rich diet is the foundation for health, and having these building blocks are very important for almost any patients goals.
Metabolically, the body has to work very hard to stay warm. In fact, a warmer temperature body is telling us how well the metabolism is working in a patient. The energy used to stay warm or warm back up after cryotherapy burns through calories (our fuel source for the metabolism). This is the mechanism of how cryotherapy is used for increasing weight loss.
