Arthritis destroys our quality of life, constant pain from simply doing normal and simple tasks takes its toll on our psyche and prevents us from living, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Did you know that cryotherapy was originally used to help rheumatoid arthritis patients? Dr. Yamaguchi in the late 1970s began using sub-zero temperatures for short periods of time on the surface of the skin (Cryotherapy) to help his patients deal with arthritis pain. Without the extreme pain, patients were able to manage and tolerate milder pain easily, often for days between treatments.

Today, a modern CyroTherapy full body sauna can deliver almost 8 to 10 times cooler temperatures to the entire body at the same time. This alleviates chronic inflammation in the joints, allowing the body to reset itself, while also increasing collagen protein in the body. Many cryotherapy believers tell how it has “changed their lives.” No longer having to avoid your favorite activities or being trapped and immobilized by pain. Some people have even been able to get rid of their pain meds along with their other arthritis meds.

How does cryotherapy do that?

CryoTherapy is known to help induce collagen protein, which helps strengthen bones, joints, tendons, and cartilage. Cryotherapy is also known to help reduce inflammation: chronic inflammation is responsible for much of the pain experienced from rheumatoid arthritis. We know that cryotherapy helps produce antioxidants in the blood, something more than people with rheumatoid arthritis lack.

It’s hard to say exactly why it works so well or why people with arthritis rely on whole-body cryotherapy. We know that it reduces histamine reactions in the body. The research is still ongoing, but when a 75-year-old with arthritis is able to go out and play tennis again with friends, something happens. It’s not a coincidence.

A clinical research study showed marked improvement with 1-3 cryotherapy sessions, and after 10-15 sessions, patients reported a regression of symptoms and a dramatic reduction in pain. When combined with physical therapy, some patients were able to rid themselves of their wheelchairs, while all noted greater ease of movement. These results continued for 6 months after therapy. Ask your doctor if you should try whole body cryotherapy, maybe you can get off those meds too?

Now, let’s look at a couple of research papers on this topic, shall we? The first one I would like to note is: “Cryotherapy reduces blood histamine levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis”, by E. Wojtecka-Lukasik • K. Ksiezopolska-Orlowska • E. Gaszewska • O. Krasowicz-Towalska and published December 18, 2009 (Inflamm. Res. (2010) 59 (Suppl 2):S253-S255 DOI 10.1007/s00011-009-0144-1).

Another noteworthy article is: “The Influence of Temperature and Fibril Stability on Cartilage Collagen Degradation by Rheumatoid Synovial Collagenase,” by Edward D. Harris, Jr., MD, and Peter A. McCroskery, MS (N Engl J Med 1974;290:1-6 DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197401032900101).

And, the latest research was a pilot study, which showed benefits: “Serial Whole Body Cryostream Cryotherapy for Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases” (PMID:18548207).