Have you ever heard of Cryotherapy, Advanced Ice Therapy? Neither had I! But when I was at the Ferrari Event, there was a silent auction and one of the auction items was a Starter Package from GLACÉ CRYOTHERAPY. As a cyclist I am familiar with the concept of ice baths which constrict blood vessels, flush waste products and reduce swelling and tissue breakdown, it helps with recovery and I think my legs feel refreshed after. So I thought I would get it as a gift for Brian!
I was a little jealous that Brian was going to use the package as I secretly wanted it for myself. Well….it turned out that after my crash up at Northstar, Brian thought I should use it. I checked with my Doctor to see if he thought it was a good idea and he thought it was a great idea! He said it would help with the inflammation and might even help with the pain in my leg.
So I called to set up an appointment and Brittney, one of the owners, said no appointment necessary and to come on by. She explained that the process would take less than 15 minutes from the time I walk in until the time I leave, so I went on by after work. I had to fill out an information sheet asking about some health questions to make sure I was ok to go on in. She then walked me into the dressing room and told me to put on a pair of socks, boots (they are scuba diving boots), a pair of gloves and a robe. I got dressed and walked into the back where they have their cryosauna. I got in and she shut the door and asked for the robe!! She said you can go up to 3 minutes in the cryosauna, but you still get the benefits from less time so if at any time I was uncomfortable I could stop. I told her I’m a tough girl and that I was going to go the full 3 min!! 🙂
My fashionable outfit My papa trying it out for the first time!
It definitely gets cold but it’s not unbearable, just don’t let the -270 degrees fool you! I am usually a hot person, so the cold is really refreshing for me! It helped to talk to Brittney to help the time go by so I wasn’t just thinking about how cold it was. I made it the whole 3 minutes and Brittney said I did really good, and that most people don’t go for the full time for the first visit.
When the time was up I got the robe back and hopped out to get changed. The first time they checked my skin temperature, it was 34 degrees (my lowest skin temp to date was 20*!)!! I felt so good after, my skin was cold and my leg felt better! Brittney told me that the more consistently I could come the better it would be for my recovery.
So I went 3 times the first week and every time I went I could tell it was really helping my leg recover. I went to the doctor the next week for a follow up and he said the bruising looked way better and I told him it was feeling better too. He said he was excited to try it out for himself!
I have now gone 8 times and my bruising is almost completely gone and I have been feeling better every day. I’m pretty sure Brittney and her brother Skyler are getting tired of seeing me so much!! They are really great and Skyler is the “Science Guy” so he really explains what is going on.
Here is what happens during and after the session: During vasoconstriction, toxins continue to be flushed from muscle and skin surface tissue. Red blood cells are enriched with oxygen, nutrients and enzymes. Upon exiting the Cryosauna when the Cryotherapy session is over, the body vasodilates and the enriched blood is released back to the skin surface tissues, muscle tissues, and joint spaces that have been flushed of toxins. After the session you may experience what is known as the “Cryo Rush”, a warm tingling sensation throughout the body, elevated alertness and overall sense of well being, similar to a runners high.
You can find out more about Brittney and Skyler, brother and sister and owners of GLACÉ CRYOTHERAPY by clicking here.
For my local friends there is a GLACÉ CRYOTHERAPY location in Carmel at The Barnyard. There is also a location in San Jose and San Francisco, for my Oregon friends, there is a location in Medford. For all of my other friends you will have to find your local Cryotherapy location. 🙂
Happy Freezing!