Science & Studies

Medical News Today: What are the benefits of cryotherapy?

In this article, we look at some of the possible benefits to be had from cryotherapy healing, as well as other facts a person may need to know before they consider it.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation: Recruited brown adipose tissue as an antiobesity agent in humans

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation analysed the effects that colder temperatures had on the body in comparison to a warmer climate. It found that people who spent time in a 17°C room burned more energy than those who spent time in much warmer temperatures.

NCBI: Temperature-acclimated brown adipose tissue modulates insulin sensitivity in humans.

Another study had similar results. People who slept in colder rooms increased their levels of brown fat, which is said to burn fat and calories, by 42% in comparison to those who didn’t. Their metabolism rate was boosted by 10 percent too.

NCBI: Effects of long-term whole-body cold exposures on plasma concentrations of ACTH, beta-endorphin, cortisol, catecholamines and cytokines in healthy females.

Cryotherapy’s ability to promote weight loss has also been linked to hormonal boost. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation found that cryotherapy causes a rush of endorphins such as norepinephrine. This hormone is released when the body realizes that it’s not actually freezing and leaves you feeling refreshed and relieved.

Science Direct: Effects of cryotherapy on muscle damage markers and perception of delayed onset muscle soreness after downhill running: A Pilot study

There’s evidence to suggest that cryotherapy can help reduce muscle soreness or in some cases, help to prevent it all together. A 2015 study found that cryotherapy reduced muscle soreness and reestablished homeostasis in the body so that the participants could continue exercising.

NCBI: Whole-body cryotherapy in athletes.

Another study discovered that cryotherapy can reduce muscle inflammation by affecting the production of proteins responsible for it.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: An Accurate and Reliable Method of Thermal Data Analysis in Thermal Imaging of the Anterior Knee for Use in Cryotherapy Research

Healthline: Benefits of Cryotherapy

Sports Medicine: The use of cryotherapy in sports injuries

Plastic and reconstructive surgery: Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms

Cryo: Benefits of Localized Cryotherapy (PDF)

Women’s Health: Saunas Might Actually Be Really Good For You. Here’s Why.

TIME: You Asked: Are Infrared Saunas Healthy?

Canadian Family Physician: Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors

Observer: WSJ Says Infrared Saunas Don’t Help You Detox—Studies Disagree

Netherlands Heart Journal: Sauna bathing: a warm heart proves beneficial

Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary risk factors

Photomedicine and Laser Surgery: Clinical and Experimental Applications of NIR-LED Photobiomodulation

Journal of Biological Chemistry: Photobiomodulation directly benefits primary neurons functionally inactivated by toxins

Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine: The effects of repeated thermal therapy on quality of life in patients with type II diabetes

Journal of Neurology and Stroke: Near Infrared LED: An Emerging Technology on the Treatment of Stroke

Japanese Heart Journal: Repeated sauna therapy reduces urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha)

Journal of Cardiac Failure: Safety and efficacy of repeated sauna bathing in patients with chronic systolic heart failure: a preliminary report

Stanford University School of Medicine: Keys to Effective Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT)

Harry T. Whelan: The Use of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Near-Infrared Technology for Biostimulation

Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery: Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on wound healing 

See clinical studies referenced in the following articles:

The Promising Evidence of Red and Near Infrared Light Therapy for Increasing Testosterone in Men

The Remarkable Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss and Fat Reduction

Improve the Health of Your Skin with Red and Near Infrared Light Therapy

Red and Near Infrared Light Proven to Reduce Joint Pain and Alleviate Arthritis

Faster Muscle Recovery and Less Muscle Soreness with Red and Infrared LED Light Therapy

Red Light Therapy for Protecting & Healing Eyes and Preventing Vision Loss

PMC: Compression Therapy: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

Experimental Physiology: A single bout of whole-leg, peristaltic pulse external pneumatic compression upregulates PGC-1α mRNA and endothelial nitric oxide sythase protein in human skeletal muscle tissue.

European journal of applied physiology: Peripheral conduit and resistance artery function are improved following a single, 1-h bout of peristaltic pulse external pneumatic compression

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Peristaltic Pulse Dynamic Compression of the Lower Extremity Enhances Flexibility

Lower Extremity Review: Dynamic compression for recovery in athletes

Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research: Dynamic Compression Enhances Pressure-to-Pain Threshold in Elite Athlete Recovery: Exploratory Study

PMC: Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST

Clinical Floatation: Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy)

PMC: Beneficial effects of treatment with sensory isolation in flotation-tank as a preventive health-care intervention – a randomized controlled pilot trial