Cryotherapy means using cold as a treatment or recovery method. The term covers several different practices: a clinician freezing a small area of tissue, a person entering a very cold chamber, a provider applying cold to a targeted body area, or someone using an ice bath.
Those methods are not interchangeable. They use different equipment and exposure conditions, and they may have different purposes, risks, and levels of supporting evidence. This guide explains the main forms of cryotherapy, what research can and cannot tell us, and where to go next for a deeper look at each topic.
If you’re already considering a session, you can also search for recovery studios near you. The directory can help you identify providers that list cryotherapy, then compare their services and ask about their equipment, supervision, screening, and terms.
What are the main types of cryotherapy?
There is no single official count because “cryotherapy” is used as an umbrella term. For consumers, these four formats are useful to understand:
| Format | How cold is applied | Common context |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-body cryotherapy chamber | A person stands inside a chamber exposed to very cold air; in a true whole-body chamber, the head is inside too. | Wellness and recovery facilities |
| Partial-body cryotherapy, or cryosauna | A person stands in an open-top, barrel-shaped unit with the head above the rim while the body is exposed to cold. | Wellness and recovery facilities |
| Local or medical cryotherapy | Cold is applied to a specific area. A clinician may use liquid nitrogen or a cryoprobe to freeze tissue; ice packs and cold wraps are other local cold applications. | Clinical treatment or localized cold therapy |
| Cold-water immersion | A person enters cold water, such as an ice bath or cold plunge. | Exercise recovery and cold exposure |
Whole-body chambers and open-top cryosaunas are often grouped together in casual conversation, but they are different device formats. A review in the European Journal of Medical Research distinguishes full-body cryochambers from partial-body cryosaunas, including the fact that the head remains outside the cold environment in a cryosauna. Read the review of whole- and partial-body cryotherapy safety.
Medical cryosurgery is a separate use of cold. The National Cancer Institute describes cryotherapy as using an extremely cold liquid or a cryoprobe to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue; it can be used for certain cancers and precancerous conditions. This clinical procedure is not the same as a short wellness session in a recovery studio. See the National Cancer Institute’s definition of cryotherapy.
Whole-body cryotherapy: chambers and cryosaunas
Whole-body cryotherapy generally refers to short exposure to very cold air in a specialized chamber. A person enters the unit for a timed session, usually with staff instructions and protective gear. The American Academy of Dermatology describes sessions of about two to four minutes, but the equipment and protocols vary by provider. That range is descriptive, not a personal treatment recommendation. Read the AAD’s overview of whole-body cryotherapy.
An open-top cryosauna exposes the body while leaving the head above the unit. Some devices use nitrogen vapor to create cold; full-body chambers may use refrigerated air. Because these setups differ, ask a provider to explain exactly what device they use rather than relying on the general label “whole-body cryotherapy.”
People often try these services for a brief cold-exposure experience or as part of a recovery routine. Claims that whole-body cryotherapy treats diseases or delivers broad health benefits require more caution; the evidence and regulatory status are discussed below.
For a deeper review of claimed effects and limitations, see whole-body cryotherapy benefits.
Local cryotherapy and medical cryosurgery
“Localized cryotherapy” can refer to more than one thing. In a wellness setting, a device may direct cold air toward a particular area. In a clinical setting, a trained healthcare professional may use liquid nitrogen or a cryoprobe to freeze abnormal tissue for a specific medical reason. Ice packs and cold wraps are simpler forms of applying cold locally.
These approaches should not be treated as equivalent. A medical procedure has a defined clinical purpose and is performed by a qualified professional. A wellness provider’s localized cold service does not become a medical treatment simply because it uses cold or is called cryotherapy.
Cold-water immersion and cold plunges
Cold-water immersion includes ice baths, cold plunges, and other forms of entering cold water. It is often discussed in articles about cryotherapy because both involve cold exposure, but the methods differ: a cryotherapy chamber uses cold air or another cooling system, while a plunge uses water.
That difference affects the experience and practical risks. Sudden immersion in cold water can trigger a cold-shock response, including rapid changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. The American Heart Association explains these risks in its overview of cold-water immersion.
For a direct comparison of the two options, read Cryotherapy vs. Cold Plunge.
What does research say about cryotherapy benefits?
The answer depends on the type of cold treatment and the outcome being studied. Evidence about cold-water immersion, local cold application, medical cryosurgery, and whole-body chamber sessions cannot automatically be applied to every other method.
Cryotherapy for muscle recovery
People commonly consider cryotherapy after exercise to manage soreness or as part of a recovery routine. Research findings are mixed. A Cochrane review found the available evidence insufficient to determine whether whole-body cryotherapy reduces self-reported muscle soreness or improves perceived recovery after exercise. The studies were small and varied, and the review said the best protocol and safety were not known. Read the Cochrane review.
A 2024 network meta-analysis found favorable rankings for cryotherapy on some post-exercise soreness and jump-performance measures. Its authors also noted limitations, including variation among studies and a need for more high-quality evidence. Those results address exercise-recovery outcomes; they do not establish that a commercial cryotherapy chamber treats a medical condition. Read the review and its limitations.
For a closer look at that question, see cryotherapy for muscle recovery.
Cryotherapy and inflammation
“Inflammation” can refer to a diagnosed medical process, or it can be used casually to describe soreness, swelling, or feeling run down. A recovery service’s claim that cold exposure helps with “inflammation” does not establish that it treats a disease or injury.
The evidence must be matched to the specific method and outcome. For a more focused discussion of how this claim is used and what readers should ask, see cryotherapy for inflammation.
Medical cryosurgery
Cryosurgery has a defined clinical role for specific conditions, including freezing certain abnormal tissues. The National Cancer Institute’s definition covers this medical use. It should not be used to imply that commercial whole-body cryotherapy has the same established purpose or evidence.
What are the risks of cryotherapy?
Very cold exposure can injure skin and other tissue. The AAD reports whole-body cryotherapy-related frostbite, frozen limbs, and rashes, as well as reports of eye injuries, suffocation, and temporary memory loss. It advises people with conditions such as heart disease or nerve damage to speak with a doctor before considering whole-body cryotherapy. Review the AAD’s safety information.
Cold-water immersion has its own risks, including cold shock and hypothermia. People should not assume that safety guidance for a chamber applies to a plunge, or vice versa. The CDC describes immersion hypothermia.
Before trying an extreme-cold service, talk with a healthcare professional if you have a health condition, reduced sensation, circulation concerns, or questions about whether cold exposure is appropriate for you. Ask the provider what screening they do, how sessions are supervised, what protective gear is required, how you can stop or exit, and what they do if a client feels unwell.
For a more complete breakdown, read cryotherapy safety and risks.
How to compare cryotherapy providers
If you’re evaluating a recovery studio, compare the service itself rather than relying only on the word “cryo.” Ask:
- What type of treatment is offered? Confirm whether it is a full-body chamber, open-top cryosauna, localized cold service, cold plunge, or something else.
- What equipment is used? Ask how the device works and what parts of the body are exposed.
- Who supervises the session? Ask whether staff remain present and how the session can be stopped.
- What screening is required? Ask what health questions the provider asks before a first session.
- What claims does the provider make? Be cautious about guarantees or claims that a wellness service treats a disease.
- What are the session terms? Confirm the duration, price, required clothing, and cancellation policy before paying.
Search for recovery studios near you to find providers that list cryotherapy and compare their service details. A directory listing can help with discovery; it is not a medical endorsement or a guarantee of service quality.
Frequently asked questions about cryotherapy
Is cryotherapy the same as a cold plunge?
No. Cryotherapy commonly refers to cold applied through a chamber, cryosauna, or targeted device. A cold plunge uses water immersion. Both involve cold exposure, but the equipment, experience, and risks differ. See the full cryotherapy vs. cold plunge comparison.
Is a cryosauna the same as a whole-body cryotherapy chamber?
Not exactly. In a whole-body chamber, the head is inside the cold environment. In an open-top cryosauna, the head remains above the unit. The devices and cold-delivery methods can differ, too.
Does whole-body cryotherapy treat medical conditions?
The FDA has not cleared or approved whole-body cryotherapy as safe or effective to treat medical conditions, according to the AAD. Medical cryosurgery is a different clinical procedure used for specific purposes. Discuss medical symptoms and treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional.
Does cryotherapy help with weight loss?
This guide does not treat whole-body cryotherapy as a proven weight-loss method. The AAD says claims for whole-body cryotherapy’s health benefits remain unproven. Ask a healthcare professional about evidence-based weight-management options.
How long does a whole-body cryotherapy session last?
The AAD describes sessions of about two to four minutes, but actual protocols vary by equipment and provider. That range is not a recommendation for an individual session; follow qualified provider instructions and ask about screening and safety procedures.
How many cryotherapy sessions do you need?
There is no universally established number of whole-body sessions for general wellness or recovery. Research protocols vary, and a provider’s suggested package or schedule is not proof that it is necessary or effective.
Is cryotherapy safe for everyone?
No. Very cold exposure can cause injury, and some health conditions may affect a person’s risk. Ask a healthcare professional whether a specific type of cold exposure is appropriate for you, and ask the provider about screening and supervision before booking.