Whole Body Cryotherapy (Nitrogen-Based)

Our whole body cryotherapy sessions use a nitrogen-based whole body cryotherapy sauna, the original form of whole body cryotherapy and the system we have used since opening. Nitrogen-based cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to rapidly lower the temperature around the body while the head remains outside the chamber, allowing you to breathe normal room air and keep the cold exposure focused on the body itself. Because the temperature drops very quickly, sessions typically last 2 to 3 minutes and many clients describe the experience as intense but brief, followed by a noticeable sense of alertness, mood elevation, and rejuvenation afterward.

Electric cryotherapy chambers cool air mechanically and circulate it throughout an enclosed space, including around the head. This creates a more gradual cooling process that usually requires longer sessions and can feel different across the body, with some people noticing more cold around the head or face before the rest of the body feels fully exposed.

We’ve chosen to stay with nitrogen-based cryotherapy because clients consistently tell us they prefer the faster, more direct full-body cold exposure, the ability to breathe normal air, and the way the experience feels both during and immediately after the session compared to longer, more gradual electric cryotherapy.

How does it work:

Exposure to extreme cold stimulates the central nervous system, sending signals that prompt the body to activate its natural survival response. As part of this process, blood vessels near the skin constrict, and circulation is temporarily directed toward the core to help protect vital organs from the cold.

During this response, the body increases the availability of oxygen and other naturally occurring components involved in circulation and tissue support, including erythrocytes and biochemicals associated with repair and recovery processes. This heightened internal activity is part of the body’s short-term adaptive response to cold exposure.

After the session ends and the body begins to warm, vasodilation occurs and blood flow returns to the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue. This post-session circulation phase delivers oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood back to peripheral tissues. Whole body cryotherapy is often used to support recovery, help manage discomfort and inflammation, and stimulate metabolic and biochemical activity associated with the body’s natural healing and regulatory processes. Individual responses can vary.

Pain Relief & Chronic Pain Management

Whole body cryotherapy is widely used for acute pain relief and chronic pain management, particularly in conditions driven by ongoing inflammation and nervous system overactivity. Exposure to extremely low temperatures has been shown to reduce inflammatory signaling, decrease nerve-related pain transmission, and stimulate the release of pain-modulating hormones such as endorphins and norepinephrine—mechanisms documented in clinical cryotherapy research, including Power from the Cold. For acute pain, such as muscle soreness, joint irritation, or injury-related inflammation, cryotherapy can significantly reduce or eliminate pain after one or several sessions. For chronic pain, regular cryotherapy sessions are used to manage persistent symptoms by lowering baseline inflammation and reducing the frequency and intensity of pain flare-ups. Conditions commonly associated with chronic pain management through cryotherapy include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, multiple sclerosis–related pain, chronic joint pain, and other autoimmune or inflammatory disorders. With consistent use, whole body cryotherapy helps maintain lower pain levels, improve mobility, and support long-term pain control as part of an ongoing management strategy.

Acute Pain Cryotherapy Helps With

Muscle soreness and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Joint pain after physical activity
Acute muscle strains and sprains
Tendon irritation
Ligament stress
Sports-related injuries
Post-workout pain and stiffness
Acute back pain
Acute neck and shoulder pain
Inflammation-related pain flare-ups
Post-surgical pain and inflammation (after orthopedic or soft-tissue procedures)

Many people experience significant pain reduction after one or several cryotherapy sessions when acute inflammation and nerve irritation are involved.

Chronic Pain Cryotherapy Helps Manage

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Lupus-related pain
Fibromyalgia
Multiple sclerosis–related pain
Chronic joint pain
Chronic back pain
Chronic neck and shoulder pain
Chronic muscle pain
Inflammatory pain associated with autoimmune disorders
Long-term pain from repetitive stress or overuse

For chronic pain, cryotherapy is typically used regularly, helping reduce baseline pain levels, limit flare-ups, and improve daily function over time.

Energy, Mood & Nervous System Reset

Whole body cryotherapy is widely used for its noticeable effects on energy levels, mood, and nervous system regulation. Brief exposure to extreme cold activates the body’s sympathetic nervous system, triggering the release of hormones and neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and endorphins. These chemicals play a direct role in increasing alertness, improving mood, and creating a sense of mental clarity after a session.

Unlike stimulants that artificially increase energy, cryotherapy works by engaging the body’s natural stress-response system in a short, controlled way. Once the session ends, the nervous system shifts out of this heightened state, often resulting in a feeling of balance, calm focus, and physical rejuvenation. Many clients describe feeling mentally refreshed, emotionally uplifted, and more energized for several hours following treatment. With regular sessions, cryotherapy is often used to help regulate stress responses, reduce mental fatigue, and support overall nervous system resilience.

Anti-Aging, Rejuvenation & Detoxification

Whole body cryotherapy is commonly used to support anti-aging, rejuvenation, and detoxification by stimulating the body’s natural self-regulation processes. Brief exposure to extreme cold places controlled stress on the body, encouraging more efficient cellular turnover and metabolic activity, both of which play a role in how the body repairs itself over time. This process supports overall vitality and helps slow the accumulation of physical stress associated with aging.

Cryotherapy is also used to support the body’s natural detox pathways by promoting metabolic efficiency and lymphatic activity, which are essential for clearing cellular waste and byproducts of inflammation. Rather than acting as a direct detox treatment, cryotherapy helps the body function more effectively in eliminating waste on its own. With regular sessions, many clients report feeling lighter, less inflamed, and more refreshed, while also noticing improvements in skin appearance, recovery capacity, and overall resilience. Used consistently, whole body cryotherapy fits naturally into an anti-aging and detox-focused wellness routine aimed at long-term health rather than short-term cosmetic results.

Commonly reported benefits include:

Support for cellular renewal and metabolic efficiency
Reduced inflammation associated with premature aging
Activation of natural detox pathways through lymphatic support
Improved skin vitality and overall physical resilience
A refreshed, rejuvenated feeling with regular use

Physical Performance & Athletic Recovery

Whole body cryotherapy is widely used to support athletic performance and recovery by helping the body recover more efficiently from intense physical activity. Training and competition place repeated stress on muscles, joints, and connective tissue, often leading to inflammation, soreness, and fatigue that can limit performance if recovery is incomplete. Cryotherapy helps reduce post-exercise inflammation and muscle soreness, allowing athletes to recover faster between workouts, practices, or events.

With regular use, whole body cryotherapy for athletes supports consistent training by shortening recovery time and reducing cumulative physical stress. Many athletes use cryotherapy as part of a structured recovery routine to maintain mobility, minimize downtime, and sustain higher training intensity over time. While cryotherapy does not replace proper training, nutrition, or rest, it is commonly used to enhance recovery and support ongoing performance.

Athletes commonly use cryotherapy to:

Reduce muscle soreness and stiffness after training or competition
Support faster muscle recovery between workouts
Manage inflammation from intense or repetitive activity
Decrease recovery time and physical fatigue
Support consistent training and performance output

Who Should Not Receive Cryotherapy

Whole body cryotherapy is safe for many people when properly supervised, but it is not recommended for everyone. Certain medical conditions may make cryotherapy unsafe due to the body’s response to extreme cold. Individuals with the following conditions should not undergo whole body cryotherapy unless cleared by a qualified healthcare provider.

Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
Recent heart attack, heart disease, or serious cardiac conditions
History of stroke or blood clots
Raynaud’s disease or severe cold sensitivity
Peripheral vascular disease or poor circulation
Cold urticaria (cold-induced hives)
Cryoglobulinemia
Severe anemia
Open wounds or active skin infections
Uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy
Pregnancy

Initial Consultation:

Prepare for cryotherapy in the dressing room:

Remove all metal items, including jewelry, watches, and piercings
Remove all clothing, leaving only undergarments
Ensure undergarments are completely dry
Tie back long hair and keep it dry
Make sure your skin is completely dry and free from lotions or oils
Clients wrap in a towel, wear socks, shoes and mittens.(provided)

CryoSauna:

The floor of the cryosauna is adjusted so client’s head and neck are exposed
Client enters the cryotherapy machine while wrapped in a towel
Client removes towel to maximize skin exposure
Chilled liquid nitrogen vapors are evenly misted throughout the cabin
The client spends 2 to 3 min in the chamber with the temperature reaching to max -184 F
When the session ends, the client wraps in a towel and exits the cryosauna

Post Treatment:

Cryotherapy reduces inflammation + activates detoxification. Some clients may experience mild flu-like symptoms 1 – 2 days after treatment. This is a good sign–your body is getting rid of toxins.
Drink more fluids than usual to aid the detoxification process
Enjoy reduced pain, improved mobility, a deep sleep, and good mood!

Disclaimer

Cryotherapy is an effective treatment for athletic recovery, pain management, inflammation reduction and skin improvement. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy. It is not a medical procedure, and all clients of Arctic Healing Cryo should first check with their medical professionals to confirm whether WBC is appropriate for their health.