Health Quickfire cryo

Whocan cryotherapyhelp?

→Feeling good The wellness benefits of cryotherapy are no joke, so if you’re in search of a quick, easy and new way to boost both your physical and mental health, WBC could be just the ticket. For anyone suffering from low mood, anxiety, depression or even poor sleep, the rush of endorphins you’ll get from just two to three minutes in the Cryocabin could make a world of difference. ‘By acting on the autonomic nervous system and rebalancing the body, WBC counteracts the pressures of daily life, helping to fight stress, insomnia and headaches,’ explains Maria. Because of this, many clients use it as a stress reliever from their hectic lifestyles. Regular treatments lower the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body, leaving you feeling fresher and happier. ‘The less cortisol in your blood, the more even tempered and better you feel,’ adds Maria.

If you, like us, could do with a second wind when it comes to energy throughout the day sometimes, the increase in energy levels you’re likely to experience from a cryotherapy session won’t go unnoticed. ‘The extremely low temperature in a WBC chamber enacts an amazing physiological response on the body,’ Maria reveals. ‘In order to keep an average temperature, the nervous system goes through a process called vasoconstriction – constricting of the arteries and blood vessels. This cuts down inflammation and more blood stays in the body’s core. That extra-oxygenated blood is then sent around the body, increasing energy.’ While cryotherapy might not be able to replace a good night’s kip (it’s notthatmiraculous!), it could work as a helping hand on those days when you just didn’t manage a full eight hours.

Looking fresh While localised cryotherapy has been on the beauty scene for a while, WBC is taking over, offering benefits for the skin, hair and nails. How? It’s all about boosting that circulation and producing collagen – an all-important protein that’s essential for the strength and elasticity of your body’s tissues. ‘By activating microcirculation through vasoconstriction, skin is rejuvenated and collagen production is stimulated,’ shares Maria. ‘This reduces wrinkles, tightens pores and reduces the effect of cellulite – the activation of blood circulation improves tissue irrigation, helping to eliminate fat through the lymphatic system.’ WBC can also, therefore, contribute to the elimination of toxins, which is perfect if your body is in need of a little detox. The circulation boost also promotes hair and nail growth, as well as giving your skin a serious glow. ‘The extreme cold of WBC boosts blood circulation and collagen production,’ Maria emphasises, ‘plumping, firming and renewing the skin.’ It might sound like a miracle worker, but WBC simply boosts your body’s own natural processes, so the treatments are ideal for those looking for a non-invasive way to tackle their cosmetic worries. Fighting fit Ever wanted to stick to a strict training schedule only for DOMS, aches and pains to get in your way? Elite athletes and sports teams around the world have discovered WBC as a way around this, allowing them to recover and repair at a faster rate. ‘As WBC helps to reduce inflammation, pain is reduced and the body is better able to heal itself and promote muscle recovery,’ explains Maria, who is a keen marathon runner herself. The best part? There’s no downtime. ‘Unlike ice baths you can also resume exercise immediately after a cryotherapy session.’ In the same way, cryotherapy can also be useful for anyone nursing niggles and injuries, bringing down the levels of inflammation to get you back in the gym quicker.

Regular visits to the chamber can also boost physical performance – another reason why we’re seeing more and more of them pop up in elite training facilities, with GB’S own Mo Farah an advocate. ‘Blood flow increases and natural enzymes, nutrients and hormones are released enabling the athlete to achieve greater power, higher speed and greater resistance to fatigue.’ It’s because of this that athletes might do cryotherapy prior to a training session, says Maria.