Cryotherapy: Can cold help against back pain?

When you have back pain, you first think of heat therapy using an ointment or a heat patch. Treating the pain with cold seems unusual at first glance. This method has always been used by professional athletes, and successfully. Now we can all enjoy this therapy and move with the times. We would therefore like to introduce cryotherapy in more detail.

What is meant by cryotherapy?

Instinctively and reflexively, when we have a sports injury, for example to the knee or ankle, we reach for a cool pack or a cooling sports gel. This is intended to relieve pain and prevent swelling, a hematoma, or a bump. Cryotherapy provides the maximum increase in therapy through cooling. The entire body is exposed to polar cold of an average of -110°c to -160°c for approx. 1-3 minutes. The air is icy but dry and so has its effect.

What effects does cold therapy have on the body?

The sudden drop in body temperature, both external and core, triggers a kind of shock. The body tries to raise or maintain the temperature of the vital organs. The pulse slows down and blood pressure increases at the same time. During the cooling down, some invigorating hormones such as endorphins and the “happiness hormone” serotonin are released. You can certainly imagine how good that feels.

What are the arguments in favor of cryotherapy?

Doctors and sports medicine specialists have long recognized the advantages of cryotherapy:

• As an athlete, maximize and accelerate the recovery effect
• Improving healing after (sports) injuries
• Pain relief (in muscles and joints)
• Releasing muscle tension
• Anti-inflammatory effect
• Stimulating effect on the circulation and blood circulation
• Increasing sleep quality
• Refreshing, revitalizing and strengthening the skin

Can cryotherapy be used to relieve back pain?

As already mentioned, cold relieves pain after an injury or bruise. If you have a toothache, a cold compress can be more than beneficial. It's the same with cryotherapy. The pain is “frozen” or numbed. By slowing down blood circulation, any bacteria that may have invaded have no opportunity to spread further throughout the body. The cold prevents inflammation and can therefore accelerate healing. In addition to back pain, cold therapy also proves to be effective for headaches, inflammation or overstretching of tendons and joints, and chronic osteoarthritis. Sports doctors have treated their protégés with cold for prophylaxis and relief or healing. How fortunate that we can now also benefit from the effects. Although there are currently no well-founded scientific studies that prove the range of benefits of cryotherapy, it is still often used to supplement or support conventional medical treatment.

What is the cryotherapy treatment like?

A cold treatment lasts between 1 and 3 minutes. In order to prevent undesirable side effects such as burns or frostbite, this maximum time should be strictly adhered to. You enter a cold cabin wearing underwear or bathing suits including gloves and socks, with only your head visible. The temperature in the cabin is between -110°c and -160° C, which envelops the body.  Whole-body cooling is mainly used to reduce inflammation, for pain after surgical procedures, injuries to the musculoskeletal system (joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles) and spinal problems as well as for tension or rheumatism.

Does cryotherapy also have disadvantages?

The most common “side effect” of the treatment is not necessarily a real disadvantage. Even though you only spend a short time in the cold, the treatment is quite stressful for the body. This is why many people feel very tired afterwards. Treat yourself to a break, it increases the effect of the therapy and is simply good for you. Listen to your body and allow yourself to rest. Sport or increased exercise should be avoided immediately after the session.

Cryotherapy meets massage chairs – and what we get out of it

A massage chair offers an excellent opportunity to relax after the session in the cold cabin and thus prolong the effects of cryotherapy. It has several selectable massage options. Depending on your personal preference and the location of the symptoms, you can choose a beneficial program. An alternating pressure massage like the Shiatsu method provides relief where the cold could not completely eliminate the tension. More and more therapy centers are offering this successful combination for their customers. Feel free to follow this trend, your body will thank you.

Where are the origins of cryotherapy?

Like so many alternative treatment methods, cold therapy also comes from Japan. Even in ancient times, the Japanese used cold to treat various ailments. But it wasn't until the 1970s that this form of treatment developed into what we know it today. In Europe, France was one of the pioneers and the positive effect benefited professional athletes in particular. By the way, we owe a lot to the Japanese in this area. Worth mentioning in this context is the massage chair, for which we are more than grateful!

How do I properly prepare for cryotherapy?

Unfortunately, cryotherapy is not suitable for everyone. In a prior consultation with the therapist you can determine whether you can take part in a session or what needs to be taken into account. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with chronic illnesses, people with pacemakers, asthma sufferers or people who have to take medication regularly should initially refrain from treatment. In general, a medical check-up in advance makes sense. You can either have it done at the therapy center or at a doctor. The initial consultation also includes detailed advice and provision of information, explanation of all effects or side effects and obtaining consent. Under no circumstances should you skip these preparation steps, after all it's about your health! A prescription from your doctor is not necessary, but an aptitude test is more than recommended.

The following things are recommended shortly before the session:

• Do not exercise immediately before treatment
• Do not take a warm bath or shower, this would put enormous strain on the circulation
• Do not shave or remove your hair recently
• Cover small wounds or fresh scars with a bandage
• Body jewelry that is not removable should also be protected with plasters
• Restore moisture to the skin using lotions and oral hydration

Can cryotherapy cause pain?

When cryotherapy is carried out professionally, there is no risk of pain or burns. The therapist should have undergone recognized training and should be able to provide you with advice and support. He shouldn't leave you alone, especially at the first session, as unpleasant moments can arise. The cramped cabin, the cold, anyone who isn't used to it can quickly become nervous. It is very reassuring to know that there is a competent contact person nearby. Essential for the success of any therapy, whatever type, is trust in its effect and the person carrying it out. That's why it's best to get some basic information about the therapy center and its seriousness in advance, which can ideally be supported by certificates.

How much does a session in the cold cost?

The price level for cryotherapy varies greatly and depends on the region, the center and the scope of treatment offered. Therefore, it is not possible to give an exact total. On average, the costs range between €30 and €50 per session. In some cases, health insurance companies are accommodating and provide a subsidy towards the costs. This must be requested individually from the insurance company. The trend and the associated advantages of the combination of conventional and alternative medicine have penetrated to some payers and the willingness to support the insured in health promotion is gradually becoming established.