Cryotherapy for Pain
Cold dampens the transmission of pain signals and has an anti-inflammatory effect – without medication. For many people with chronic complaints, this is their entry into whole-body cold.
The extreme dry cold lowers skin temperature within seconds. Pain receptors then send fewer signals, while inflammation-promoting messengers are held back. Many describe a lighter, more mobile body feeling right after the session, which, depending on the starting point, can last from hours to days.
Back pain and tension after long working days, arthritis in the knee or hip, rheumatic complaints, fibromyalgia, irritation after overexertion. In many cases the cold is used alongside physiotherapy.
Cryotherapy does not replace medical treatment. It is not suitable for cardiovascular disease, untreated high blood pressure, cold allergy, pregnancy and other pre-existing conditions – please check with a doctor beforehand.
Whole-body cryotherapy has been used in physical medicine since the 1980s, originally in Japan for rheumatoid arthritis. Discussed mechanisms include slower nerve conduction, reduced excitability of pain receptors, reflex muscle relaxation and effects on cytokines. Studies in rheumatic disease, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia partly report short-term pain relief, but the overall evidence is limited.
Before use we check for severe cardiovascular disease, untreated hypertension, Raynaud's syndrome, peripheral arterial disease, cold allergy, open wounds and neuropathies with reduced temperature sensation. Cryotherapy complements but never replaces medical treatment.
A series of 10 to 20 sessions with two to three appointments a week is common, followed by maintenance appointments.
The session is a self-pay service. Some private insurers reimburse a portion – please check with them beforehand.
There is evidence of short-term relief, especially in rheumatic conditions, but studies are limited. Cryotherapy is considered a complementary measure.
You'll find detailed articles on individual conditions in our guide section.
Book appointmentContext
Cryotherapy (cryo) is not a replacement for medical treatment but an additional stimulus. Put in context: it may influence accompanying symptoms and support recovery, but it replaces neither diagnosis nor therapy.
What counts is the series, not the single application. We therefore suggest looking at a period of several weeks and simply documenting changes – sleep, pain perception and everyday resilience.
Complementary
Cryotherapy (cryo) complements existing treatment, it does not replace it.
Think in series
Look at several weeks instead of judging a single application.
More Topics
Same location, partner website: kältekammer-memmingen.de