How Safe Is Cryotherapy for Sports Recovery?

Cryotherapy has a history dating back to the 19th century, when it was first used for pain control. However, cryotherapy only recently became the trending "new" method to speed sports recovery and boost performance. Named for the Greek "cryo" for cold and "therepia" for cure, cryotherapy uses freezing temperatures to reduce inflammation, promote recovery, and restore aching muscles. But while the procedure may provide benefits, how safe is it? TIDL Sport's at-home cryotherapy products allow athletes to experience the benefits of cryotherapy without the time and expense of visiting a specific facility. In addition, since TIDL's cryotherapy products include creams and sprays for direct use on the body, they offer safe results without the discomfort of freezing temperatures.

What Is Cryotherapy?

There are many types of cryotherapy, ranging from cold compresses and ice packs to submerging in an ice bath to high-tech cryotherapy chambers. When considering cryotherapy, most people think of high-tech whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) chambers, which originated in 1978 by a Japanese physician, Dr. Toshima Yamauchi, to treat arthritis. In WBC, the patient wears limited coverings and is enclosed in a chamber that can reach temperatures as low as -300 degrees Fahrenheit. The treatment lasts only two to four minutes and works to recover and rejuvenate the body naturally. The origin of cryotherapy dates back far longer than the 1970s, however. For centuries, applying cold to sore or injured muscles has reduced inflammation and swelling and offered restorative benefits. Now, athletes use cryotherapy for sports recovery and to boost performance.

What Are the Benefits of Cryotherapy for Sports Recovery?

Athletes who choose cryotherapy for sports recovery seek a fast and effective way to recover from intense workouts and competitions or to ease pain and inflammation from aches, pains, and injuries. Once the cold dissipates, athletes experience an increase in blood flow. The body works to restore temperatures to the affected areas, bringing oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the muscle and aiding in healing and restoration. Some key benefits of cryotherapy include: • Faster muscle recovery ● Deeper, more restorative rest • Increased blood circulation ● Improved muscle strength and joint function ● Reduced soreness and inflammation ● Reduced tendonitis pain Faster recovery from injuries • Flushing of waste, like lactic acid, from muscles When athletes use cryotherapy after an intense workout, they're less likely to experience delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), allowing them to tackle their next training session with refreshed muscles.

Is Cryotherapy Safe?

Cryotherapy proponents argue for the more natural solution of freezing temperatures instead of painkillers, anti- inflammatory drugs, and opioids traditionally prescribed for pain and injuries. The great news is that most cryotherapy treatments are entirely safe. For example, topical cryotherapy creams and sprays like TIDL Sport's plant-based cryotherapy treatments are completely safe and allow athletes to experience the benefits of cryotherapy from the convenience and comfort of their own homes. In addition, cryotherapy offered through ice baths and cold compresses is also a safe way to reduce inflammation and pain while recovering from workouts faster. However, when answering the question "Is cryotherapy safe?" the answer becomes more complicated with WBC treatments. While a natural way to recover from high-intensity workouts and relieve muscle and joint pain is better than unnecessary drugs, entering a chamber at -300 degrees isn't for everyone. You should avoid cryotherapy chambers if you have the following conditions: Some key benefits of cryotherapy include: • Heart disease ● Pregnancy ● Uncontrolled seizures ● Raynaud's Syndrome ● Symptomatic lung disorders ● Severe anemia • Infections • Fever Patients with these conditions can still use localized cryotherapy, such as TIDL Sport's plant-based cryotherapy products. Before treatment, anyone with a pre-existing medical condition should discuss whole-body cryotherapy with their healthcare professional.

How Does Cryotherapy Feel?

Many athletes who are curious about the benefits of WBC are worried about the treatment's body-shocking temperatures. However, while WBC treatments aren't pleasant, they're not unbearable. Although cryotherapy chambers often drop temperatures as low as -300 degrees Fahrenheit, the treatment's short duration and carefully-selected coverings make it bearable. However, athletes who choose less intense treatments to experience the benefits of cryotherapy aren't disappointed. Products like TIDL Sport's scientifically developed Cryo-Relief Performance Cream and Cryotherapy spray allow patients to see the performance and recovery benefits of cryotherapy without the uncomfortable experience of a WBC chamber.

Accelerate Your Sports Recovery Through TIDL Sport

It's hard to fully benefit from cryotherapy without repeated sessions, but getting into a cryotherapy routine can be challenging when relying on expensive and time-consuming appointments with a chamber. Nevertheless, athletes who choose TIDL Sport's cryotherapy products find that recovery-boosting treatments can quickly become part of their post-workout routine. We recommend TIDL Sport's cryotherapy products after any challenging workout. After your post-workout shower, apply TIDL Sport's cryotherapy sprays or creams so your muscles can fully absorb and benefit from the products' recovery- and performance-enhancing benefits. If you're ready for a natural solution to restore your muscles, relieve aches and pains, and improve your workouts overall, it's time to try TIDL Sport. Check out our beneficial, plant-based cryotherapy products before your next workout.