Arthritis destroys our quality of life, constant pain from the simple fact of doing normal and simple tasks takes its toll on our psyche and prevents us from living, but it does not have to be that way. Did you know that cryotherapy was originally used to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis? Dr. Yamaguchi in the late 1970s began using subzero temperatures for short periods of time on the surface of the skin (Cryotherapy) to help his patients deal with arthritis pain. Without the extreme pain, patients were able to manage milder pain and tolerate it easily, often for days between treatments.
Today, a modern CyroTherapy full body sauna can deliver nearly 8 to 10 times cooler temperatures to the entire body at the same time. This relieves chronic inflammation in the joints, allowing the body to reset itself, while also increasing the collagen protein in the body. Many believers in cryotherapy tell how it has “changed their lives”. No more having to avoid your favorite activities or be trapped and immobilized by pain. Some people have even been able to get rid of their pain medications along with their other arthritis medications.
How does cryotherapy do that?
CryoTherapy is known to help induce collagen protein, which helps strengthen bones, joints, tendons, and cartilage. Cryotherapy is also known to help reduce inflammation: Chronic inflammation is responsible for much of the pain in rheumatoid arthritis. We know that cryotherapy helps produce antioxidants in the blood, something else that people with rheumatoid arthritis lack.
It’s hard to say exactly why it works so well or why people with arthritis rely on whole-body cryotherapy. We know that it reduces histamine reactions in the body. Research is still ongoing, but when a 75-year-old with arthritis is able to go out and play tennis with friends again, something’s up. It is not a coincidence.
A clinical research study showed marked improvement with 1-3 sessions of cryotherapy, and after 10-15 sessions, patients reported receding symptoms and a dramatic reduction in pain. When combined with physical therapy, some patients were able to ditch their wheelchairs, while all noted greater ease of movement. These results continued for 6 months after therapy. Ask your doctor if you should try whole body cryotherapy, maybe you can get off those medications too?
Now, let’s run through a couple of research papers on this topic, shall we? The first one I would like to note is: “Cryotherapy reduces blood histamine levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis”, by E. Wojtecka-Lukasik • K. Ksiezopolska-Orlowska • E. Gaszewska • O. Krasowicz-Towalska and published December 18, 2009 (Inflamm. Res. (2010) 59 (Suppl 2):S253-S255 DOI 10.1007/s00011-009-0144-1).
Another noteworthy article is: “The Influence of Temperature and Fibril Stability on Cartilage Collagen Degradation by Rheumatoid Synovial Collagenase,” by Edward D. Harris, Jr., MD, and Peter A. McCroskery, MS (N Engl J Med 1974;290:1-6 DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197401032900101).
And, the latest research was a pilot study, which showed benefits: “Serial whole-body cryostream cryotherapy for inflammatory rheumatic diseases” (PMID:18548207).
