Why Athletes Are Turning to Cryotherapy

If you’ve ever dreamt of stepping into a freezer and stepping out feeling brand new… well, that’s basically the idea behind cryotherapy.

Used by pro athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone trying to bounce back from a tough workout, cryotherapy is the practice of exposing your body to very cold temperatures (we’re talking sub-zero degrees) for a few minutes to help kickstart recovery.

Sounds a little wild? Maybe. But it works.

what actually happens in a cryo session?

You step into a cryo chamber for 2 to 4 minutes while icy air swirls around you. Your body’s response? A quick contraction of your blood vessels (called vasoconstriction) that helps reduce inflammation and pain. Once you step back into the warmth of the real world, your blood vessels open up again, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients rushing back into your tissues.

That back-and-forth process helps:

• Flush out metabolic waste like lactic acid

• Decrease muscle soreness

• Speed up your natural healing systems

Plus, there’s more. Cryotherapy has been shown to stimulate endorphin release. So don’t be surprised if you walk out of a session feeling refreshed, recharged, and maybe just a little euphoric.

When should you use cryo?

Cryotherapy is great after hard workouts, long runs, or tough races, basically, anytime your muscles are feeling the burn. It can also be used a day or two before a big event to help your body feel snappy and fresh without adding extra stress.

And while it’s not a replacement for strength work, mobility, or proper recovery, it’s a fantastic complement.

Ready to chill?

Schedule a cryo session at Finish Line Physical Therapy and see how a few minutes of cold can bring your recovery to life.

Schedule Cryotherapy