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Cryotherapy is a relatively new form of the Cold Plunge in a controlled environment, which is why we just wanted to look at it in detail. We have emphasized the differences between Cold Plunge and cryotherapy and went into depth in terms of individual aspects such as costs, clothing, how the cold sauna is concerned.
Table of contents
What exactly is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy (also cold therapy or cold chamber therapy) is a cold treatment similar to Cold Plunge . Kryos stands for ice or frost in ancient Greek. Cryotherapy therefore refers to the cold for the treatment of various diseases or symptoms. The body is exposed to temperatures of up to -196 ° C for a short time.
What types of cryotherapy are there?
There are different types of cold applications used as part of cryotherapy, including:
- Full body cold therapy: With this form of cryotherapy, the patient's body is exposed to an extremely cold environment for a short time in a special space or a chamber. The temperature can fall up to -140 ° C to -196 ° C.
- Partial cold therapy: This form of cryotherapy can be used either locally (on a certain part of the body) or regionally (on a certain body region). The body tissue is treated with a cold source such as ice packs, cold water or cold spray.
- Cryosurgery: This is a procedure in which tissue is destroyed by freezing. This procedure is used to treat skin lesions or tumors.
What is the cold therapy useful for?
Cold Plunge principle, cryotherapy is often used for pain relief, anti -inflammatory, improvement in blood circulation and strengthening the immune system. It can be carried out locally, through targeted use to certain areas of the body, as well as full -body. Here is also an overview of the advantages of Cold Plunge .
Cryotherapy is usually carried out by specially trained medical staff and requires careful monitoring of the patient to ensure that no damage causes from the extreme cold.
What is the difference between the cold sauna and Cold Plunge ?
Both the cold sauna and the Cold Plunge are cold therapies based on similar physiological mechanisms. However, the main difference between the two is the way the body of the cold is exposed.
In an ice bath, the body is completely immersed in ice water, which is cold at temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius. The body is thus evenly cooled from all sides, which leads to a quick cooling and slows down the blood circulation. The cold can also be uncomfortable and can lead to tremors and muscle rigidity.
A cold sauce, on the other hand, is a dry environment in which the body is cooled from the outside through cold air. The cold is generated by a special cooling system and cooled down to a temperature of up to -160 degrees Celsius. The cold is applied evenly and controlled to the body, reducing the cold pain and tremors. In addition, the head can be looked out of the sauna, which prevents a feeling of tightness.
Another difference is the duration of the exposure to the cold. While a typical ice rink lasts about 3-10 minutes, depending on the cold of the water, a cold session usually only takes 2-3 minutes. The short period of time reduces the risk of frostbite or other cold violations.
Overall, due to its controlled refrigeration use and its shorter duration, the cold scale is a popular choice for many people compared to the ice pool, especially for athletes and people who are looking for a quick recovery of physical complaints or injuries.
It is also independent of the weather with which it is quite well suited as a supplement for cold plunger in summer.
Direct comparison between Cold Plunge and cryotherapy
| Cold Plunge | Cryotherapy |
| Cold water - can look uncomfortable | Cold air is easier to endure |
| Shock at the beginning when you get into the ice pool | Slow increase in the cold |
| Only practicable outside in winter | Accessible at any time |
| No additional costs | Cost per treatment up to 50 EUR |
| no supervision | Supervision with medically trained staff |
| Warming takes longer | very short warm -up time |
| Bathing things necessary | Underwear sufficient |
| sometimes difficult entry | easy -to -use |
| 2-10 minutes duration | 2-3 minutes duration |
How does the cold sauna or crystal chamber work technically?
A cryo chamber, also known as a cryo sauna, is a device that was developed to treat the body with extremely low temperatures. The crystal cemetery consists of a closed cabin that is filled with refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen or a cool air flow. As a result, the temperature can be lowered in a very short time.
The cryosic cold sauna is one of the most famous and most advanced cold saunas on the market and offers a variety of settings to match the treatment of the user's individual needs and preferences. The chamber is also equipped with security functions such as an emergency stop button and an open window to ensure that the user remains safe during treatment.
The cryosic cold sauna works with a closed cold circuit and uses liquid nitrogen as a refrigerant to produce temperatures of up to -196 ° C. In the cabin, the nitrogen becomes gas due to evaporation, which then cools the room. The cold chamber design of the cryoses ensures that the cold around the body is evenly distributed.
Another feature is the precise control of the temperature and the session due to computer -aided control. The cold sauna is also equipped with sensors and security systems that ensure that the session is safe and effective.
The refrigeration chamber enables faster cooling and offers a higher cold intensity than conventional cold therapy methods such as ice compresses or cold tubs. The short duration of the cold session (2-3 minutes) and the use of dry cold gas also minimize the risk of skin injuries or frostbite, which can occur in the event of a long time.
Overall, cold-suns offer a wide range of functions that can be individually tailored to the needs of the user such as aroma, music, color therapy and much more, which is not absolutely necessary in my taste.
What do you have in the Kryokammer?
The crystal chamber, which actually looks like a high bin, is only entered with minimal clothing. You only wear your underwear and thick socks. Optionally, you can still put on gloves.
The head stays outside and you get an oversized break from the neck so that the cold nitrogen does not escape upwards.
What does a cold therapy session cost?
That is probably relatively different. The cost of a visit to the refrigeration chamber in Prana was € 39, when buying a ten card, this is only € 29 per treatment. In this respect, this is really affordable, as some energy flows into cooling in the form of nitrogen.
When does the health insurance cover the costs of the cold treatment?
The health insurance can pay for the cold therapy under certain circumstances. As a rule, however, the treatment is only refunded if it is medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Some of the medical conditions in which the cold therapy is considered effectively and may be reimbursed by the health insurance company are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- multiple sclerosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Psoriasis arthritis
- Bechterew's disease
- Sports injuries
In some cases, cold therapy can also be used as a supplementary therapy for cancer treatment to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The KryoCammer is often used as an alternative to ice pool therapy or as a supplementary therapy for athletes, to relieve pain, to improve sleep, to combat inflammation, to increase collagen production or to improve general well -being. However, it is important to note that for certain groups of people, how people with certain medical conditions, cannot be suitable and it is important to consult a doctor before application.
How long does it take to the Kryokammer?
The treatment usually only takes 2-3 minutes. During this time, the body of the person is cooled down from -140 ° C to -196 ° C very quickly. This leads to a contraction of the blood vessels. After the treatment, the person normally enters a relaxation room to warm up.
Full interview with Sven Kühnöl from the health practice Prana Freiburg and self -test in the Kryokammer
So much for theory, but how does cryotherapy run practically from you ask yourself? To do this, I Prana Freiburg a health practice with various offers from cryotherapy to the salt area. There I managed an interview with Sven Kühnöl which you can look at here.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de):
Hello friends of the cold, I am Constantin, the chief Ice Officer from Cold Plunge .de and always deal with topics such as cold, exposure, sauna, cryotherapy and much more. It is already 25 degrees out here in Freiburg, but last weekend we were with our group on the local river Dreisam, where the water had only 11 degrees. So in summer we have to think about what we want to do if we want to go swimming. That is why I am invited to Sven Kühnöl from Prana Freiburg today. Sven is the managing director and has a great cold sauna here in the background. Sven, could you please introduce yourself and tell us something about the Prana? How long has the Prana been?
Sven Kühnöl:
Yes, thanks, Constantin. We have had the prana since January 2009. I am a naturopath for psychotherapy and specialize in conversation therapy and Ayurveda. I have also been teaching at the Freiburg Heilpraktikerschule for a long time. Among other things, we offer floating and hypnosis, which are also scientifically examined. I chose cold therapy in 2019 because it fits our overall concept very well. People go to a float cabin after the cold sauna. I use this as a hypnotic suggestion after hypnosis so that if you go into the cold afterwards, fulfill your wishes and not smoking is much easier. It just fits wonderfully in our overall concept.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de):
That sounds exciting. Several building blocks of the therapy are part of it. Of course, we are particularly interested in the cold sauna and the cold exposure. Could you please tell us something about the cold sauna? How does it work technically? How cold is it in the sauna? We will also test live later, but it would be interesting to know what happens in it?
Sven Kühnöl:
So, we bought a Kryon in 2019, a sauna from Saint Petersburg. They also invented them because they were discovered in Russia. We have installed cooling, in which you need four liters of nitrogen for pretreatment and then another four to five liters for the main application. This is now a Spanish model that is equipped with the most modern refrigeration technology. You can simply start the cold sauna and the cold is available after 30 seconds, up to a maximum of -196 degrees, which the liquid nitrogen gives. Liquid nitrogen still has a temperature of 196 degrees and you can fill 530 liters of nitrogen into the tank. It may be enough for approx. 35 applications, depending on the load and outside temperature. That too is a costly affair. Nitrogen is 79 % available in our ambient air. If you ask if it's a green gas, yes, that's it. This wonderful Spanish model has a very large interior and also works with warmth. First you are treated with a minute of heat to warm up the body to 80 degrees so that the vessels expand.
Sven Kühnöl
Then it goes down to -188 degrees Celsius in 30 seconds, which is the program, where you save the most. Then you stay in for a full 180 seconds and can get out at any time. The cold therapy takes 2 to 3 minutes, but most remain in the first application for 3 minutes, but usually only make up to 172 degrees.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de)
Yes, sounds very interesting. So at first glance it looks different from Cold Plunge . When I make Cold Plunge , I have a body temperature of 36-37 degrees and go into the water that is about 5 degrees cold, i.e. a temperature difference of about 32 degrees. Here we have a difference of 280 degrees, from 80 degrees to -200 degrees. Is that something else? How do you get along with these great temperature differences?
Sven Kühnöl:
Yes, I often hear that this is the luxury variant of the Cold Plunge . The nitrogen creates a completely dry, cold air. It feels like an ice -cold wind that flushes you, similar to the Cold Plunge . If I do it myself, I also feel how I lack the air. You have to hold out for 30 seconds. Despite the lower temperatures, this is more pleasant because the ice -cold water is attached directly to the body and a thermal bridge can be formed. But once the air comes, it doesn't hurt here. The ice -cold wind lowers you slowly and deeply. The skin also becomes colder, the core temperature drops by a maximum of one and a half degrees and it is felt much more pleasant than the Cold Plunge . Because of this, you have a clientele that is too cumbersome the Cold Plunge and the luxury variant prefers. The previous therapy with nitrogen is no better or worse than bathing and it is understood.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de):
Yes, exactly, as cold plunger of course I brought a towel and normal swimming trunks with me, but I could actually save it all.
Sven Kühnöl:
First you put under your underpants and then a few funny things about it. Depending on the need, we also attract gloves to protect toes and fingertips, as there are fine capillaries that often have to be protected from confusion. Otherwise you stay quite dry here. You are not dry afterwards, but your skin will look great.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de):
And it is also a controlled environment. This means that I am not alone and even if I don't have anyone with me, it is not a security risk. When something happens in the water ...
Sven Kühnöl:
I am there all the time and look into your eyes to see how you are. If you have doubts, I just press on a button and open the door and you can sit on the sofa. That's why everything is here.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de):
What about the cost of the cold application? If you make a session or several sessions in a row or combined it with something else, what about the costs?
Sven Kühnöl:
A single application costs € 39 because the nitrogen is so more expensive. People who come more often often buy a ten card that only costs € 29 per application. When we buy nitrogen, it comes in a special tanker from Donaueschingen and everything is very complex and expensive, but it fits our overall concept. We don't earn very much, but it fits wonderfully and I like to go in two or three times every week. The expensive nitrogen is.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de):
Yes, exactly. And here it is also possible that the health insurance company, as we were informed in the first conversation, can take over certain parts if it actually takes place as part of therapy.
Sven Kühnöl
Exactly. The family doctor can prescribe therapy in ten or 18 blocks , as I have noticed so far. This varies depending on the family doctor and health insurance. I try to give tips, but everyone has to regulate the billing for themselves with the family doctor and the health insurance company. If you come to us, you just have to pay for the treatment. You cannot submit a recipe where it is simply tried. You have to bill it. It's not that complicated. But we have a lot of people, mainly rheumatism, arthritis and pain patients who are prescribed. Also people with post-covid-fatigue syndrome . They just have something from the cold. They have much better quality of life. I'm back there. From a scientific point of view, there are also studies. But if you don't have a lobby, you don't get enough money to carry out scientific studies.
Constantin ( Cold Plunge .de)
Yes, that's exactly right. Studies and counter -studies partly prove the effect, but not for other applications. There is still a lot in secret that needs to be researched. But everyone can also determine whether the cold bath really helps them. Sometimes you get better results in terms of the skin, and it has many positive advantages that you can feel immediately. I don't need 37 studies for Cold Plunge for this. We also published a few studies that were carried out by universities. But in principle, everyone can immediately notice on their own body how vital and energized.
Sven Kühnöl
Cold applications are clearly anti -inflammatory and also act on different foci of inflammation in the body. This was also found in Long Covid that cold exposure helps. This anti-inflammatory effect can cause people to reduce their cortisone dose by half in consultation with their family doctor. There are such cases and that's okay.
