Cryotherapy is not by any means a new phenomenon in the sports world. After modern applications began in Japan in the 70s, scientists and doctors from all over the world have conducted clinical studies to analyze and report on the effectiveness of whole-body cryotherapy among patient populations. In fact, professional athletes, from tennis players to footballers, have been using the technology to prepare for and recover from big games for the better part of the last decade.
In the 40 years since its inception, whole-body cryotherapy systems have primarily been manufactured and used overseas. As one of the first manufacturers of the cryotherapy system in the U.S, Impact Cryotherapy offers the most advanced technology in the market today. The company’s targeted clientele are sports organizations, entrepreneurs, and luxury resorts and spas, notably the Sea Island Resort.
Richard Otto, the CEO of Impact Cryotherapy, described for us how cryotherapy works.
“Whole-body cryotherapy units are the liquid-nitrogen fueled chambers tuned to temperatures from -100 to -150 degrees Celsius,” Otto explains. “Athletes stand in the chamber for two to three minutes. By exposing the entire body to sub-zero temperatures, cryotherapy decreases inflammation and produces endorphins to reduce pain, accelerate muscle recovery, and generate a sense of rejuvenation.”
Because competitive sports seasons work on such grueling schedules, professional teams and individual athletes alike have incorporated cryotherapy into their training regimes to recover from tough, long battles and prepare for upcoming games. With consecutive games scheduled within a week, sometimes only a day or two, of one another, cryotherapy has become an indispensable tool for both match fitness and injury prevention.
@CryoSport working with @MichaelPhelps on cryotherapy for recovery #prepare/perform/recover powered by @impactcryo pic.twitter.com/6kbKcP1Sow
— Impact Cryotherapy (@impactcryo) May 17, 2015
This year, Impact Cryotherapy has scored signing with numerous NFL, NBA, and MLB teams as well as Division 1 college teams like Georgia Tech. Otto believes that the client-lead expansion of retail locations and increased national coverage with top athletes like LeBron and Mayweather will make cryotherapy more accessible to everyday people and inform them of its many benefits and uses.
“As the country’s most prominent manufacturer of cryotherapy units, we sell our systems to entrepreneurs who can open up retail locations around the U.S to make the treatment available to everyone. In 2015, our clients have already opened up stores in San Diego, San Jose, and Santa Cruz, among other locations. In addition to walk-in locations, we are also looking to produce more mobile cryotherapy sessions in modified vehicles, which is a very convenient and effective way to spread awareness about the treatment.”
The anti-inflammatory properties of cryotherapy can take it down a purely medical route, particularly as a potent treatment for arthritis. Otto says that Impact Cryotherapy will delve into the medical field once the technology becomes more recognizable nationwide.
“We have an experienced Advisory Board headed by Chairman Dr. James Andrews, one of premier orthopaedic surgeons in the world for professional athletes. Assisting him are Dr. Melvin Deese, the Medical Director, and Dr. Troy Van Biezen, a nationally-recognized chiropractor serving athletes from prominent organizations, including the PGA tour. The team will continue to expand and potentially conduct medical studies to explore the full scope of cryotherapy’s medical uses.”