Cyrotherapy Could Be Fatal According to FDA

One of the most popular treatments among athletes and celebrities is cyrotherapy. It involves exposure to subzero temperatures in tanks of water and is said to treat pain and infalmmation associated with physical injuries. We’re talking about sitting in-200 to -300 degrees Fahrenheit, which are generated by liquid nitrogen, for two to four minutes at a time.

It’s been growing in popularity in wellness centers and spas across the world, but there is little evidence to show the procedure does any good. Go figure that a three-minute session in a freezing tank, wouldn’t do anything good for the human body.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement on July 5th stating that the FDA “does not have evidence that WBC effectively treats diseases or conditions like Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, stress, anxiety, or chronic pain.”

In fact, the FDA “has not cleared or approved” this therapy for any specific medical condition, even though countless websites claim WBC can improve a number of chronic illnesses, along with providing other health benefits, like improving circulation, increasing metabolism, and improving recovery and soreness after workouts.

In October 2015, 24-year-old, Las Vegas spa employee Chelsea Patricia Ake-Salvacion employee accidentally died from asphyxia caused by low oxygen levels in a chilled cryotherapy chamber. According to the Associated Press, she was found crumbled at the bottom of the device.

FDA scientific reviewer Anna Ghambaryan said in the press release, “Potential hazards include asphyxiation, especially when liquid nitrogen is used for cooling.”

Before you think about cyrotherapy, it would be wise to do as much research as you can after such a statement from the FDA.