Cryotherapy: Can Cold Help Relieve Back Pain?

When you have back pain, your first thought is usually heat therapy using an ointment or a heating patch. Treating pain with cold may seem unusual at first glance. Yet this method has long been used by professional athletes—with great success. Now we can all enjoy the benefits of this therapy and keep up with the times. We’d therefore like to take a closer look at cryotherapy.

What is cryotherapy?

When we suffer a sports injury—for example, to the knee or ankle—we instinctively and reflexively reach for a cold pack or a cooling sports gel. This is intended to relieve pain and prevent swelling, bruising, or a bump. Cryotherapy provides the maximum therapeutic benefit through cooling. In this procedure, the entire body is exposed to polar cold—averaging -110°C to -160°C—for approximately 1–3 minutes. The air is icy but dry, which is how it exerts its effect.

What effects does cold therapy have on the body?

The sudden drop in body temperature—both surface and core temperature—triggers a kind of shock. The body tries to raise or maintain the temperature for the vital organs. This leads to a slowing of the pulse and a simultaneous rise in blood pressure. During the cooling process, certain stimulating hormones—such as endorphins and the “happiness hormone” serotonin—are released. You can surely imagine how good that feels.

What are the arguments in favor of cryotherapy?

Medical professionals and sports medicine specialists have long recognized the benefits of cryotherapy:

• As an athlete, maximize and accelerate your recovery
• Improving Recovery from (Sports) Injuries
• Pain relief (in muscles and joints)
• Relieving Muscle Tension
• Anti-inflammatory effect
• Stimulates the circulatory system and blood circulation
• Improving Sleep Quality
• Refreshes, revitalizes, and strengthens the skin

Can cryotherapy be used to relieve back pain?

As mentioned earlier, cold relieves pain following an injury or bruise. For toothaches, a cold compress can be more than soothing. The same is true for cryotherapy. The pain is “frozen” or numbed. By slowing down blood circulation, any bacteria that may have entered the body are prevented from spreading further. Cold thus prevents inflammation and can therefore accelerate healing. In addition to back pain, cold therapy has also proven effective for headaches, inflammation, or strains of tendons and joints, as well as chronic osteoarthritis. Sports medicine doctors have treated their athletes with cold therapy for prevention, relief, or healing. How fortunate that we, too, can now benefit from these effects. Although there are currently no well-founded scientific studies proving the range of benefits of cryotherapy, it is nevertheless often used as a complementary or supportive treatment alongside conventional medicine.

What is the procedure for a cryotherapy treatment?

A cold therapy session lasts between 1 and 3 minutes. To prevent unwanted side effects such as burns or frostbite, it is essential to adhere to this maximum duration. Wearing underwear or swimwear, including gloves and socks, you enter a cold chamber with only your head sticking out. Temperatures inside the chamber range from -110°C to -160°C, enveloping the body. Whole-body cooling is primarily used to reduce inflammation, for pain following surgical procedures, injuries to the musculoskeletal system (joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles), and spinal problems, as well as for muscle tension or rheumatism.

Are there any disadvantages to cryotherapy?

A real drawback isn’t necessarily the most common “side effect” of the treatment. Although you’re only exposed to the cold for a short time, the treatment is quite taxing on the body. That’s why many people feel very tired afterward. Treat yourself to some downtime—it enhances the therapy’s effectiveness and simply feels good. Listen to your body and allow yourself to rest. Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity immediately after the session.

Cryotherapy Meets Massage Chairs—and How We Benefit From It

A massage chair offers an excellent opportunity to relax after a session in the cold chamber, thereby prolonging the effects of cryotherapy. It features several selectable massage options. Depending on personal preference and the location of the discomfort, you can choose a soothing program. An alternating pressure massage, similar to the Shiatsu method, provides relief in areas where the cold was unable to completely eliminate tension. More and more therapy centers are offering this successful combination to their clients. Feel free to join this trend—your body will thank you for it.

What are the origins of cryotherapy?

Like so many alternative treatment methods, cold therapy also originated in Japan. As far back as ancient times, the Japanese used cold to treat various ailments. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this form of treatment evolved into what we know today. In Europe, France was among the pioneers, and professional athletes in particular benefited from its positive effects. Incidentally, we owe the Japanese quite a bit 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. During a preliminary consultation with the therapists, you can determine whether you are eligible for a session or what precautions you need to take. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with chronic illnesses, those with pacemakers, people with asthma, or those who must take medication regularly should refrain from the treatment for the time being. In general, it’s a good idea to have a medical check-up beforehand. You can have this done either at the therapy center or by a doctor. The initial consultation also includes a detailed discussion, providing you with information, explaining all effects and side effects, and obtaining your informed consent. Under no circumstances should you skip these preparatory steps—after all, your health is at stake! While a prescription from your doctor is not required, a suitability assessment is highly recommended.

Shortly before the meeting, we recommend the following:

• Do not exercise immediately before your treatment
• Do not take a hot bath or shower; this would put a tremendous strain on your circulatory system
• Do not shave or remove hair immediately
• Cover small wounds or fresh scars with a band-aid
• Body jewelry that cannot be removed should also be protected with bandages
• Rehydrate your skin using lotions and by drinking plenty of fluids

Can cryotherapy cause pain?

When cryotherapy is performed professionally, there is no risk of pain or burns. The therapist should have completed recognized training and be there to support you with advice and assistance. Especially during your first session, the therapist should not leave you alone, as there may be some uncomfortable moments. The confined space of the treatment room and the cold can quickly make someone who isn’t used to it feel nervous. It’s very reassuring to know there’s a competent professional nearby. Trust in the treatment’s effectiveness and in the person administering it is essential for the success of any therapy. That’s why it’s best to gather some basic information in advance about the therapy center and its credibility—ideally, this should be backed up by certifications.

How much does a cold therapy session cost?

The cost of cryotherapy varies widely and depends on the region, the clinic, and the scope of treatment offered. Therefore, it is not possible to give an exact figure across the board. On average, however, the cost ranges from 30 to 50 € per session. In some cases, health insurance providers are accommodating and contribute toward the costs. This should be checked with your insurance provider on a case-by-case basis. The trend toward combining conventional and alternative medicine—and the associated benefits—has reached some insurance providers, and a willingness to support insured individuals in health promotion is gradually taking hold.