Let me start by saying that I am absolutely thrilled that I got to try this absolutely revolutionary technology Cryotherapy and lose 800 calories in just 3 minutes!! Sounded unbelievable to me too. I believe in all things natural, so when the invite came to me to try this, I did a bit of research and figured that the method may be scientific but it’s external and the concept was about flushing toxins out of a person’s body, which just appealed to me.
I was asked to stand in a metal gas chamber and keep rotating with my hands on my cheek. The temperature of the gas chamber went down as low as -144 degrees and I can tell you my legs were freezing. I did this for just 3 minutes and when I came out my shoes, my socks actually had frozen nitrogen on them, but the fact that I had lost 800 calories and removed toxins from my body in just 3 minutes was worth it.
Check out my experience here;
So what is Whole-body Cryotherapy?
During a whole-body Cryotherapy session, the body is exposed to temperatures ranging between -130 °C and -150 °C with cold air for 1 to 3 minutes in a Cryochamber. When the body is cooled at such a rapid rate, it goes into ‘survival mode,’ causing the blood to flow to the most vital organs in order to relay more oxygen and nutrients. Upon exiting the Cryochamber, enriched and less-toxic blood is flushed back into the rest of the body. The first thing you notice is an enormous rush of endorphins and energy. Cryotherapy has also gained recognition as an effective method of weight loss. In just one whole-body Cryotherapy session, a person can burn up to 800 calories.
Whole body Cryotherapy session
Although Cryotherapy has been used in Europe and Japan for more than three decades, Alchemy has just brought it to India and Mumbai. It is primarily used for athletes and body buildersCelebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Michael Phelps, Floyd Mayweather, Kate Moss, Jessica Alba, Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston are just a few of the many celebrities who use cryotherapy on a regular basis.
Look who followed my footsteps, none other than our very own Ranbir Kapoor;
Ranbir Kapoor in Cryochamber
Bollywood Superstar at Alchemy Cryochamber
Some other bloggers also tried this along with me and this is what they had to say;
Aiana Dhillon from @AianajSays
I felt more chirpy and energetic instantly after the therapy.
The next day I was still feeling fresh and stiffness free.
Ritcha from @RitchStyles
My biggest problem area is my cellulite, the next day I saw a visible difference. I have decided to be regular with this now.
Dollie Solanki from @IndianSringar
I am usually chirpy so I couldn’t make out much though, I did feel a bit more energetic and slender post the treatment.
Me
An obviously brighter, chirpier me after the Cryotherapy session
I had only two intentions in mind, one to try out this new technology and two to feel detoxed. I felt energetic and fresh right after the treatment and when I checked my weighing scale the next day, I had lost a good 700 gms. So now I am super excited to try it out again. Though one session is too quick to see a visible difference in skin, I have to say I felt light from within.
The benefits of Cryotherapy extend beyond this, you can also get a Cryo-facial or Local Cryotherapy.
Cryo-facial
Pressurised liquid nitrogen vapours are applied to the face and neck to stimulate the skin cells. The benefits of cryo-facials include a reduction in the size of the pores and reduce wrinkles and fine lines . It stimulates collagen production and improved blood flow brightening dark spots and increasing skin elasticity. Cryo-Facials leaves you with a younger and healthier complexion.
Local Cryotherapy:
Local Cryotherapy enables you to stay at the top of your game, without letting injuries, old or new, hold your back. Since this is an area specific treatment the affected area recovery time really reduces and you can experience reduction in muscle tension and inflammation and improved joint function.
While propagating the instant benefits of Cryotherapy, I was also asked to seek answer to a pertinent question that comes with a new technology- Is it safe?
With John who is a physiotherapist from Alchemy and the Indian cricket team
I threw that question back to the Alchemy founder, ie Neville and this is what he has to say and hopefully it will answer all your doubts;
It can cause blisters – No research shows that it can cause blisters, rather local cryotherapy is used to reduce and treat blisters. When applying local cryotherapy the therapist must be aware of keeping the nose moving so as to keep the air moving around an area of the body and not pointed at one point continuously as that could cause burning of the skin.
It can damage healthy tissues or vessels – There is no research regarding this.
It can cause infections – There is no research regarding this.
If the nerves are affected, it can result in the loss of sensation – It can numb an area because of the cold, never causes loss of sensation
It can result in scarring – It’s the opposite, it treats scars and gets rid of burn scars, post-surgery scars, blemishes, etc.
It can cause ulcers – Ulcers are usually internal to the body and cryotherapy is applied externally and does not cause ulcers.
It could lead to the discolouration of skin in the area affected by the procedure – Briefly the skin goes red as that is blood rushing to the extremities to protect the skin, the minute the treatment is over the skin has a glow and is back to its normal colour.
Cryotherapy is also known to treat ;
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, Rheumatoid arthritis, Bekhterev’s disease, Psoriasis, Multiple sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, Spinal syndromes, Tendinopathies, Chronic pains, Atopic diseases, Neurodermitis, Bronchial asthma, Infantil cerebral palsy, Primary and pain-dependent secondary sleep disorders, Primary insomnia, Pain-dependent secondary insomnia etc.
Hope this would answer all your questions and doubts, do let us know if you do go ahead with the session and your experience. As for me, I can’t wait to try our the Cryo facial next. We are no medical experts and these are as per what we experienced and were told by the Alchemy team, so do use your better judgement.
A little about Alchemy and it’s founders and trainers;
Alchemy is Neville Wadia’s newly launched holistic fitness center in Mumbai. Certified by Fitness Australia, Neville Wadia is an Exercise Professional and a Master Trainer in High Altitude Training and Rehab. He is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, who has learned yoga in Rishikesh, climbed boulders in Hampi and has even cycled solo from Bangalore to Mumbai. His fitness philosophy is ‘Exercise is a lifestyle that we need to include in our daily lives for it to be effective. Alchemy offers physiotherapy under the expertise and guidance of John Gloster, who is currently the team physiotherapist for the Rajasthan Royals IPL Team. Prior to this, he was the physiotherapist of the Indian Cricket Team, the Bangladesh National Team and the Surrey County Cricket Team in England. As the Head Physiotherapist at Alchemy, he is responsible for bringing the concept of Altitude Training in simulated altitude environments to India – a training medium that has revolutionised the fitness and elite training industries in Australia, USA, and Europe. Alchemy’s physiotherapy treatment includes sports physiotherapy, postural correction etc.
disclaimer: All the information and claims in this article are as provided by the Alchemy founders and we have experienced the therapy only once. This is not a sponsored post.
