Safety first
Info & Contraindications
Cryotherapy (cryo) is a strong physiological stimulus. That is why there are clearly defined exclusion criteria and preparation rules – both are part of safe application.
Preparation
- 2-3x/week for the fastest possible effect
- Don't eat anything 1.5h before and after the session
What to bring
- Hat
- Face mask
- Gloves
- Swimwear
- Socks
No cream on the body, cover piercings and open scars
No session in case of
- Acute deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Acute inflammation or purulent processes
- Acute respiratory or flu-like infections
- Acute urinary tract or kidney infections
- Active pulmonary tuberculosis
- Bleeding disorders
- Cardiac conduction and rhythm disorders with poor prognosis
- Children under 10 years
- Claustrophobia or strong fear of enclosed spaces
- Cold urticaria
- Cryoglobulinemia, agammaglobulinemia, cryofibrinogenemia
- Decompensated chronic heart disease
- Epilepsy
- Essential hypertension grade III (blood pressure ≥ 180/100 mm Hg)
- Essential hypertension stage II
- Fever
- Fresh surgical or unhealed wounds
- Heart failure stage II
- Hypothyroidism
- Hysterical neurosis
- Individual cold intolerance
- Influence of alcohol or drugs
- Lymphedema in an acute flare
- Malignant tumors
- Myocardial infarction or the subsequent recovery phase
- Pacemaker or implanted defibrillator (only with medical clearance)
- Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD)
- Polyneuropathy with pronounced loss of sensation
- Poor general condition
- Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus with secondary damage
- Pregnancy
- Raynaud's syndrome, acrocyanosis, systemic vasculitis
- Severe anemia
- Severe cardiac arrhythmia
- Stroke
- Unstable angina pectoris
- Untreated hyperthyroidism
- Wet skin, sweat or damp clothing before the session
Whole-body cryotherapy is a wellness and recovery treatment and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. The effects described are based on experience and user reports.
Safety framework
Why cryotherapy (cryo) has exclusion criteria
The cold stimulus causes a short circulatory response with rising blood pressure and vasoconstriction. For healthy people this is unproblematic, but with unstable cardiovascular conditions, untreated hypertension or acute inflammation the reaction can be undesirable. That is what the contraindications address.
Preparation matters just as much: residual moisture, jewellery or piercings raise the risk of local cold injury because metal and water conduct heat far faster than dry skin. Protective clothing for hands, feet, ears and airways is mandatory for the same reason.
Circulatory response
Short-term rise in blood pressure – relevant with cardiovascular conditions.
Heat conduction
Water and metal conduct heat quickly – so come dry and without jewellery.
Medical clearance
With chronic conditions, pregnancy or cold allergy, clarify with a doctor first.