Plunging oneself to frigid temperatures does not sound like a pleasant experience, but it is one that has become more relevant thanks to modern technology. Cryotherapy is a somewhat new treatment that involves exposing your whole body or just a part of it into a chamber of liquid nitrogen with minimal clothing on. It sounds like a sci-fi movie, but it has become a reality for many who want to use it for muscle recovery and other benefits.
There are benefits that have been proven with this treatment. Improved muscle recovery is one such benefit that is obtained by reducing the pain and inflammation of injuries. It is also used to help with skin conditions like warts, essentially freezing them till they can be removed without damaging the skin. Most cryotherapy is often cost-effective and far less invasive than other methods.
There are drawbacks to using this treatment that make the endeavor somewhat risky. Improper application of this treatment can cause potential harm, like frostbite and nerve damage. Hypothermia is also a risk that can occur when exposing your body to extreme temperatures. Most procedures are done by professionals, but it is still something to keep in mind. Even though the treatment is on the cheaper side of things, the effects are temporary and require multiple sessions for there to be any sort of long-term effect.
Cryotherapy is still new, so there are many questions that need to be answered to ensure that the method is safe and effective. At this moment, I would say that the therapy is not worth it until it is more developed and tested.
