What Is Cryotherapy and How Does It Work?
Cryotherapy has moved from elite sports facilities and specialist clinics into mainstream wellness centres, and it is increasingly available right here in North London. But what exactly is cryotherapy, how does it work on the body, and is it right for you? In this guide, the team at EK Cryo Finchley explains the science behind whole body cryotherapy, what you can expect from a session, and the benefits that have made it one of the most talked-about recovery and wellness treatments of recent years.
What Is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, literally meaning cold therapy, is the use of extremely low temperatures for recovery and wellness purposes. Whole body cryotherapy, the type we offer at EK Cryo, involves stepping into a specialist cryotherapy chamber where the temperature drops to around minus 140 degrees Celsius for a short session of two to three minutes. This brief, controlled exposure to extreme cold triggers a powerful set of physiological responses throughout the body, without any of the discomfort of an ice bath or cold plunge.
How Does Cryotherapy Work?
When your body is exposed to extreme cold, it responds immediately and intelligently. The blood vessels near the skin and extremities constrict, redirecting blood flow towards the vital organs in the core. This process, called vasoconstriction, concentrates oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream. When you step out of the chamber and the body warms back up, those blood vessels rapidly dilate again, flooding the muscles and tissues with freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood. Simultaneously, the cold triggers the release of endorphins, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which produce the natural energy boost and mood lift that most clients notice immediately after a session.
What Are the Benefits of Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is used by athletes, professionals and wellness-focused individuals for a range of reasons. The benefits most consistently reported and supported by research include:
- Faster muscle recovery after exercise or physical activity.
- Reduced muscle soreness and inflammation.
- A natural energy boost and improved alertness.
- Enhanced mood from the release of endorphins.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Support for immune function.
- Natural anti-ageing effects through collagen stimulation.
It is worth noting that cryotherapy is a wellness and recovery therapy, not a medical treatment, and its effects vary between individuals. Most clients notice immediate benefits to energy and mood, while recovery and anti-inflammatory benefits develop with regular sessions.
What Happens During a Cryotherapy Session?
A whole body cryotherapy session at EK Cryo is straightforward and takes just a few minutes from start to finish. You will be given protective gloves and footwear before stepping into the cryotherapy chamber, which cools rapidly to treatment temperature. The session itself lasts two to three minutes. Your head remains above the chamber so you can breathe normally and speak to our team throughout. Most clients describe the sensation as intensely cold but very manageable, and the feeling of warmth and energy that follows is immediate.
Is Cryotherapy Safe?
Whole body cryotherapy is used safely by millions of people worldwide and has an excellent safety record when administered correctly. At EK Cryo, we conduct a health screening before your first session to make sure cryotherapy is appropriate for you. There are a small number of contraindications, including uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain heart conditions and pregnancy, which we will discuss with you at your free consultation. For most healthy adults, cryotherapy is a very safe and effective wellness tool.
Who Uses Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy was originally adopted by elite athletes for rapid muscle recovery, and it remains hugely popular in professional sport. But today the majority of cryotherapy clients are not professional athletes; they are busy professionals managing stress and fatigue, people with active lifestyles who want faster recovery, individuals interested in anti-ageing and longevity, and anyone looking for a natural energy and mood boost. If any of those sound like you, cryotherapy is worth exploring.
How Often Should You Have Cryotherapy?
Frequency depends on your goal. For active recovery around intense exercise, two to three sessions a week delivers the most noticeable benefit. For general wellness, energy and mood, one or two sessions a week is a popular rhythm. Many clients start with a course of sessions and then settle into a maintenance frequency that fits their lifestyle. Our team can recommend a schedule tailored to your goals at your free consultation.
What to Wear and How to Prepare for Cryotherapy
Preparing for a cryotherapy session is simple. Arrive with completely dry skin and dry hair, as any moisture increases the risk of cold injury. You will be given protective gloves, socks and footwear to wear during the session, and you enter the chamber in minimal clothing, typically swimwear or underwear, so the cold air reaches as much of the skin as possible. Remove any jewellery before your session. You do not need to eat or avoid food beforehand, though most people find they feel best arriving well-hydrated. The whole process from arrival to leaving takes around fifteen to twenty minutes.
Cryotherapy vs Ice Baths: What Is the Difference?
Both cryotherapy and ice baths use cold to support recovery, but they work differently and feel very different. An ice bath submerges the body in cold water at around four to fifteen degrees Celsius for ten to twenty minutes, which is a slow, uncomfortable process. Whole body cryotherapy uses dry cold air at minus 140 degrees for only two to three minutes, which is more intense in temperature but far shorter and more comfortable. Most clients tolerate cryotherapy much more easily than an ice bath, and the post-session energy boost tends to be more pronounced.
Book Your First Cryotherapy Session in Finchley
Ready to experience whole body cryotherapy? Book your session online or call 020 3960 1926 to arrange your visit. We are at 375 Regents Park Road, Finchley, three minutes from Finchley Central Station on the Northern line.
New to EK Cryo? Start with a free consultation and our team will create a personalised recovery plan around your goals.