People are always looking for new ways to stay young, alert, and beat the odds of getting life threatening diseases and conditions. Every few years new trends and techniques catch their attention, and many are willing to undergo discomfort and spend significant amounts of money trying them out. The cryotherapy Sherman Oaks CA spas, and others, offer is one such trend. There are a number of possible benefits to the therapy, but the research is still too new to be conclusive.

Most have seen the news reports of hardy individuals throwing themselves into the icy water of lakes and ponds in the coldest months of the winter wearing only bathing suits. These bathers are convinced this activity promotes sharp minds, physical health, and longevity. It is a drastic form of cryotherapy, but not the one most people experience. The majority who try this therapy do so at trendy spas and health farms. They get into tanks filled with freezing water and stay for three to five minutes.

Doctors use this therapy to freeze warts and cancer cells. Those familiar with the technique caution participants not to stay too long, or fall asleep, in one of the booths. It could be deadly. Pregnant women, children, and people with high blood pressure and heart conditions should not use this therapy. Most agree that it may take several sessions to become accustomed to the freezing temperatures.

Some believe this therapy is helpful for relieving the pain and ache of muscle and joint conditions like arthritis. It may be helpful to speed up the recovery time for sports injuries. For many years doctors have recommended ice packs to reduce the pain caused by over exercising and simple muscle pain. Studies on the benefits for relieving muscle pain using this method have had mixed results.

The therapy may have weight loss benefits. Some feel that immersing the body in icy water makes it burn calories to stay warm. Others point out that using the technique to reduce muscle and joint pain can make it easier to exercise. The therapy may also help reduce inflammation which causes pain and makes it more difficult for individuals to maintain regular fitness routines.

There may be a mental health benefit to cryotherapy. Preliminary studies have shown that about thirty percent of anxiety and depression sufferers have seen improvement using this therapy. It doesn't cure the problems, but seems to cut them by about half. This is a significant difference between these results and the results for those not on the therapy.

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. Many of those who have tried cryotherapy to relieve the symptoms of this condition saw significant improvement. Some found they developed frostbite.

There is some evidence to support the claims that cryotherapy reduces the pain caused by migraines. This is not a cure for migraines, but can make the condition a little more bearable. At the present time, there is not enough research to know exactly how beneficial the technique is, and more study is necessary.