As soon as the hot summer is over we go straight into fall. AKA, flu season. There isn’t a person alive who isn’t vulnerable to the flu bug. Wouldn’t it be great to come out of these seasons unscathed?

While everyone is vulnerable, there is a way that you can boost your immune system and lessen your chances of getting sick, or even just feeling “under the weather”. 

The answer is cryotherapy. 

Cryotherapy is frequently used by high performance athletes, but that doesn’t mean the average person can’t reap the benefits as well. 

Keep reading to learn more about what cryotherapy is and how it can benefit you and your immune system. 

HOW DOES CRYOTHERAPY WORK? 

Cryotherapy is a treatment that involves exposing your body to subzero temperatures for a brief period of time. The cold causes your body to react in various ways. For example, your blood vessels constrict, which helps alleviate pain, swelling and inflammation. From there, your heart rate goes up and your brain activity is kicked into high gear. 

There are several different branches of cryotherapy that you can choose from based on your individual needs and preferences.  

BRANCHES OF CRYOTHERAPY

There are three types of Cryotherapy available to you. 

Two of them involve submerging your entire body, and one of them targets localized areas.  

WHOLE BODY WITH LIQUID NITROGEN

In this method, evaporating nitrogen-infused air is used to cool you off. 

Even though this option is listed as a whole-body experience, don’t worry! You’re only submerged in cool air from the neck down. Your entire body can reap the benefits of the chilled air, while still allowing you to comfortably breathe room temperature air.  

WHOLE BODY WITH CRYOGENICALLY COOLED AIR 

The use of cryogenically cooled air is a recent advancement and a marked improvement upon the older method of using nitrogen-infused air. The same level of therapeutic temperature is maintained, but without the dangers associated with accidental nitrogen inhilation. 

Cryogenically cooled air also offers the same immersive, full-body experience. The client sits in a comfortable cryo chamber, but the head is always left exposed for safe and comfortable breathing.  

LOCALIZED 

With localized cryogenic treatments, only specific parts of the body is exposed to the cold air,  rather than the whole body. For example, you can go in for a cryo facial, which uses cold air to promote circulation, rejuvenate and detox your skin. 

Localized cryotherapy also eases inflammation, and the increased circulation can help reduce the appearance of cellulite and rejuvenates skin’s youthfulness.   

HOW TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH CRYOTHERAPY?

There are many benefits of cryotherapy. 

On top of being great for athletic training and rehabilitation, it can give your immune system the boost it needs to get through peak illness times, such as flu season.     

BLOOD CIRCULATION

As soon as your body is enveloped by the cold air, your internal temperature takes a substantial but safe, drop. 

Your body recognizes this drop, and kicks your circulatory system into high gear: your blood begins to circulate through your body at an increased rate, sending nutrient enriched blood to your vital organs in an attempt to warm your body back up. 

This supercharged blood flow circulates nutrients throughout the body, boosting your immune system and other regulatory functions.

CELLULAR FUNCTIONS

Another amazing thing happens when your internal temperature drops. Your heart begins to pump faster, which sends nutrient and oxygen-enriched cells flowing throughout your body. 

This stimulates the growth of brand-new cells and increases your organ function. 

When this surplus of blood and oxygen reaches your brain, it makes you feel more alert. 

When it flows through your muscles it eases pain and soreness, and improves range of motion, flexibility and function.  

REMOVING TOXINS

Your circulatory system performs multiple functions. One of them is to transport nutrient-filled blood to your organs. The other is to remove toxins from the organs and bloodstream. 

The blood pulls waste out of your tissues and other areas and takes it to your kidneys, where it is disposed of in the form of urine. This blood also carries harmful carbon dioxide out of your body via the lungs.

The removal of these toxins helps to keep your body in perfect balance and remain in a state of homeostasis. 

By boosting circulatory function, whole-body cryotherapy helps to expedite the removal of toxins from your body.

INCREASE WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT

Your white blood cells are the super soldiers of the body. They stand ready to get rid of any infection that dares to enter. Your body needs them to identify illnesses and fight them off. 

Cryotherapy can stimulate the growth of white blood cells by increasing the number of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the body, and decreasing the cytokines that cause inflammation. This process heals your cells while the white blood cells take care of any infections that come in. 

REDUCED EFFECTS OF STRESS

Stress has a horrible effect on the body. 

While some stress may keep your mind sharp, chronic or excessive stress can lead to a whole host of disastrous medical conditions, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, fat accumulation, heart attack, cardiovascular disease, and immune system depression.

Stress releases the hormone cortisol, which causes many of the harmful side effects and health problems associated with stress. Cryotherapy, however, encourages the release of feel-good endorphins, which counteracts the effects of stress and cortisol. 

After a cryotherapy service, many clients experience improved mood, feel more energized, and feel less stressed. 

LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE WITH CRYOTHERAPY 

With cold and flu season right around the corner, the time to take proactive measures to safeguard your health is now. 

Going in for regular cryotherapy sessions can boost your immune system by improving your blood circulation, increasing your cellular function, getting rid of toxins, upping your white blood cell count, and kicking stress to the curb. 

Are you ready to get started with cryotherapy? Book an appointment with us today and start taking charge of your immune health!