Irene Jiang / Business Insider
Cryotherapy emerged around 2015 as a recovery method for elite athletes.
- Whole-body cryotherapy involves standing semi-naked in an cryochamber that blasts you with air between -120 and -150 degrees Celsius.
- Cryotherapy first emerged as a wellness treatment for elite athletes, but has gained mainstream popularity because of its purported benefits which include pain relief, increased metabolism, and improved mood.
- I went to a cryotherapy clinic in Manhattan to try cryotherapy for myself, and I actually found the experience to be soothing and pleasant.
- However, while I felt refreshed and slightly less sore afterwards, I'm not convinced that cryotherapy is the miracle treatment some claim it is.
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Baby, it's cold inside.
Embrace that cold. That cold is good for you.
At least that's what proponents of cryotherapy claim. Cryotherapy emerged around 2015 as a recovery method for elite athletes like LeBron James and slowly found its way into mainstream wellness culture.
For 2-5 minutes, clothed only in socks, Crocs, and gloves, you stand in an insulated cryochamber that is filled with air that ranges between -120 and -150 degrees Celsius. Supposedly, this triggers a shock response from your body, which then redirects bloodflow from your limbs to your core.
Cryotherapy proponents claim that the treatment offers a whole host of benefits, including increased metabolism, heightened endorphin levels, weight loss, muscle pain relief, improved skin, and glossier hair.
However, the science behind cryotherapy is a little shaky. Although some research suggests cryotherapy may help reduce inflammation, there are no credible studies that conclusively support claims that cryotherapy is a cure-all.
Still, a cryotherapy session is only 2-5 minutes long. Always curious, I went to a cryotherapy clinic in Lower Manhattan to see what it was like for myself.