AcroYoga has been beating up my body so I tried Cryotherapy for the first time. Inside the narrow chamber, the freezing dry air created from Liquid Nitrogen chills the body, constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow. After 3 minutes of treatment, the blood rushes back into the skin, joints and muscles with increased white blood cells and anti-inflammatory proteins as the body warms back up outside the chamber. It felt like stepping into a walk-in freezer with only shorts, gloves, socks and slippers to prevent frostbite. The chamber goes down to minus 240 degrees Fahrenheit but the tech took it easy on me for my first session. My teeth on started to chatter during the last minute. Afterwards, my heart was beating fast and I had a rush of energy / euphoria that lasted for several hours.
Cryotherapy was first developed in the 1970s by a Japanese Rheumatologist to treat inflammation. For my final two sessions, I experienced the maximum chill and it was much colder. My teeth were chattering within 30 seconds and I needed to keep jiggling my freezing legs to keep them active. I've noticed a positive effect on my lower back after the treatments so I am thinking of continuing. Maybe I will start some Ice Baths at home as well but it takes a lot more will power to lower yourself into freezing cold water.
