How to Alleviate Arthritis with Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy or cold therapy has gained popularity in recent years because of the favorable outcomes on health and well-being. People started using it to manage pain and other symptoms in certain chronic conditions, and the results have been positive. 1 in 4 Americans struggles with arthritis, according to the CDC. If you are one of them, you know how severe the symptoms can become. The pain can get so bad that it makes your everyday life impossible. Luckily, many people with arthritis reported less joint and muscle pain after starting cryotherapy.  Read on to discover how cryotherapy works, whether it’s a good solution for managing arthritis symptoms, and where to find a rejuvenation clinic in Woodlands, Texas, that offers whole-body cryotherapy.

How Does Cryotherapy Work?

The cold has been used to overcome injuries for a long time. For instance, elite athletes often jump into ice baths after workouts to promote muscle recovery. Another example is doctors recommending placing ice on an injured or sore spot to reduce pain and swelling. Well, cryotherapy looks to take that a step further. Cryotherapy uses freezing temperatures (usually -200° F to -300° F) to kickstart the natural healing processes in your body. With whole-body cryotherapy, your whole body is inside a chamber, except for your head. The chamber temperature drops to an extremely cold range for several minutes, which has many benefits for your health.

The Benefits of Whole-Body Cryotherapy

Since cryotherapy is a relatively new concept for managing chronic conditions, we need more solid research to confirm its efficiency. However, preliminary studies and anecdotal evidence have shown these benefits:
  • Alleviated arthritis symptoms
  • Decreased migraine intensity
  • Improved muscle recovery
  • Reduced muscle pain
  • Better skin health
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Improved mood
  • Aid in the prevention of cognitive decline

Whole-Body Cryotherapy for Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that affects your joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Managing this chronic condition is often challenging, but it appears that whole-body cryotherapy can help. Pilot studies have shown that cryotherapy has the potential to produce short-term pain relief for patients with chronic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Newer studies discovered that whole-body cryotherapy is as effective as a standard comprehensive rehabilitation program for decreasing pain and stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows that adding cryotherapy to traditional rehabilitation produces better patient outcomes. It helps patients recover locomotor function, slows down disease progression, and improves patient motivation to continue working on improving their health. More importantly, rehabilitation with cryotherapy reduces pain intensity in people with rheumatoid arthritis, and these effects are maintained for at least three months after the treatment.  In addition, whole-body cryotherapy has positive effects on mental health. A 2021 meta-analysis concluded that this approach could reduce depressive symptoms and improve the perceived quality of life. So, cryotherapy can also benefit your mental health, in addition to reducing pain and other arthritis symptoms.

Rejuvenation Clinic in Woodlands, Texas

If you are looking for cryotherapy in Woodlands, Texas, Progressive Rejuvenation is the perfect place. With the help of our pain expert, Dr. Edward Nash, you’ll be able to discuss whole-body cryotherapy and discover whether it’s the right treatment approach for you.  After talking about your condition and symptoms, Dr. Nash will recommend a plan to manage your arthritis symptoms. Whole-body cryotherapy can be a part of it, so be ready to discover what the real cold feels like. Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nash and find a way to manage your pain.

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