Your Guide to Choosing the Best Cryotherapy Chamber

Maximizing the Wellness Benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy

Are you looking for an invigorating way to enhance your personal wellness experience that easily fits into your active lifestyle? Cryotherapy offers a multitude of mind and body benefits and can leave you feeling rejuvenated after just a few minutes—but not all cryotherapy chambers offer the same advantages. 

In this blog, we will explore the history of cryotherapy, how it supports health and recovery, and the difference between partial body and whole body cryotherapy before breaking down what to look for when choosing the best cryotherapy chamber for your needs.  

What Is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is, quite simply, cold therapy—exposing the body to extremely cold, dry air for the purpose of therapeutic benefit. The word itself is derived from the Greek words for cold and healing, but the practice has evolved throughout history as various cultures have continued to learn about its applications and benefits. 

Beginning in ancient Egypt, cold water was used as a treatment for injuries and inflammation, as well as to enhance overall wellness. Likewise, the ancient Greeks and Romans used cold water immersion, along with the application of snow and ice when it was available, to treat various ailments and to promote health and relaxation. Cold baths were also used in traditional Chinese medicine to ease muscle soreness and to promote balance and harmony within the body. 

In the 1800s and early 1900s, cryotherapy saw a major leap with the discovery and application of liquid gases (including liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen). These became popular as a means to treat skin conditions and aid in surgical procedures by freezing affected tissue. 

In terms of modern-day cryotherapy, Dr. Toshima Yamaguchi of Japan is generally credited with coining the term whole body cryotherapy (WBC). In the late 1970s, he was using cold therapy to help patients manage arthritis pain and later discovered its broader benefits. Dr. Yamaguchi was the first to develop the walk-in cryotherapy chamber model that is used today.

How Does Cryotherapy Support Wellness?

A growing compendium of research continues to support the wellness benefits of cryotherapy. Specifically, exposing the body to extreme cold for short periods of time shocks the nervous system into thinking the body is in danger of freezing. This triggers our innate "fight or flight" response and sets off a series of reactions that studies show deliver numerous therapeutic benefits—including those listed below.

Pain relief 

Numerous studies demonstrate the ability of whole-body cryotherapy to support a natural anti-inflammatory response in the body and assist with pain management. In this study, adults with chronic low back pain underwent 20 sessions of WBC over a period of 5 weeks, after which they reported a significant reduction in pain and disability. 

Injury recovery

Whole body cryotherapy is widely used among athletes to help them recover from injuries, as well as a preventive strategy to help reduce inflammation and soreness resulting from physical activity. This article, which examined nearly a decade of research on WBC and injury recovery, reveals that pain, soreness, stress, and recovery were "significantly improved" with whole body cryotherapy sessions. 

Enhanced mood 

According to research, brief periods of exposure to extremely cold temperatures may also support a positive mood and mental health. In this study involving nearly 100 participants with a diagnosis of depressive episode, whole body cryotherapy was shown to reduce mental health deterioration and was found to be beneficial for well-being and quality of life.

Cognitive function

As part of the natural aging process, changes in brain structure can lead to issues with memory, focus, and decision making. Whole body cryotherapy may help prevent cognitive decline as we get older. Researchers in this study determined that WBC had a positive impact on cognitive performance and may be a promising intervention for mild cognitive impairment. 

Additional benefits

As scientists and wellness practitioners continue to explore the positive effects of exposing the body to short bursts of subzero temperatures, many more cryotherapy benefits are being reported. They include potential weight loss assistance, decreased anxiety symptoms, and relief from chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis. 

Choosing the Best Cryotherapy Chamber

Cryotherapy sessions take place in a specially designed tank or chamber. However, it is important to understand the difference between partial body cryotherapy and whole body cryotherapy—and why it matters to your health and safety. 

Partial body cryotherapy

In a partial body cryotherapy system, the chamber resembles a vertical tube or cylinder. Because liquid nitrogen is used to cool the tank (generally from the bottom up), the head and neck must be left exposed at the top so the client has breathable air. This method of partial exposure, coupled with the liquid nitrogen distribution, can result in an uneven cooling experience and potential discomfort. 

Whole body cryotherapy

Whole body cryotherapy utilizes a walk-in chamber that is more like a small room. The chamber uses electrical power to chill the air and maintain an even cryotherapy temperature throughout the space. This is safer than using liquid nitrogen and allows clients to breathe normally while inside the chamber. And, because the majority of our cold receptors are located in the head and neck, WBC ensures a true whole body cooling experience to ensure a better therapeutic response.

The MATTR Standard 

If you are considering cryotherapy in Austin, our 100% electric walk-in chamber sets the benchmark for whole body cryotherapy, offering true whole body exposure in a safe and oxygenated environment designed for optimal results. Below is a quick look at what sets us apart. 

• Full-body immersion. Our walk-in chambers enclose the entire body, including the head and neck, to stimulate deeper autonomic nervous system activation and enhance energy, mental clarity, and overall healing.

• Uniform cooling. Ensuring all areas of the body are cooled at the same rate and temperature eliminates “hot spots” and promotes consistent inflammation control and pain relief.

• Oxygenated, nitrogen-free environment. This eliminates the risks associated with the use of pressurized gases, including inhalation exposure, frostbite, and pressure variability.

• Clinically informed design. Our state-of-the-art cryotherapy chambers reflect the latest research and best practices in health, recovery, and performance optimization.

• Proven track record: CryoBuilt is the leading U.S. manufacturer of electric whole-body cryotherapy systems. Their WBC chambers have delivered more than 10 million sessions nationwide, demonstrating consistent safety, reliability, and positive outcomes.

Experience the Rejuvenating Power of Cryotherapy

Whole body cryotherapy has become increasingly popular as people continue to seek out safe and effective ways to promote mind and body wellness. 

Here at MATTR, we tailor your WBC experience to your personal wellness goals to enhance your recovery and well-being. And the best part? At just 3 minutes and 30 seconds, our cryotherapy sessions easily fit into your busy schedule so you can enjoy all of the benefits in a short amount of time. Or, set aside time in your day to pair WBC with other modalities such as red light therapy and NanoVi cellular repair to maximize wellness. 

Click here to learn more about the effects of cryotherapy on your body and what to expect during your cryotherapy session at MATTR, or book your session now.