Frequently Asked Questions

WBC is the process of exposing the body to hyper cool temperatures in order to elicit the natural healing process. Developed in Japan in the 1970s, WBC is used by professional athletes to decrease recovery time and improve performance and by clients seeking recovery from musculoskeletal pain.

Whether you are a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or generally seeking enhanced health and wellness, WBC can help your body achieve its ultimate potential. If you are wondering how WBC can enhance your health, contact the staff at Xtreme Cryo to begin the healing process today.

Yes. Whole Body Cryotherapy has been used in its modern form in Europe and Asia for over 30 years by health practitioners (including MDs). Countless studies have been done on the various health benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy.

Yes. Because WBC uses cold air, the cooling agents never actually come into contact with your skin. The air is chilled using liquid nitrogen, and nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breath. Because the temperature change to your body is only superficial, your internal body temperature remains constant throughout treatment. Your head is always kept outside of the low temperature area.

The Cryosauna is equipped with a number of safety features. While the door closes, it never locks, so you are in full control of your environment. A trained operator is always present to ensure your maximum safety. In addition the room is equipped with oxygen sensors and proper ventilation systems to ensure optimal air quality. Our staff is fully trained to make sure you experience both ultimate healing and ultimate safety.

WBC should not be used if you are:

• Untreated Hypertension
• Heart attack within previous 6 months
• Decompensating diseases (edema) of the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
• Congestive heart failure
• COPD
• Chronic liver disease
• Unstable Angina Pectoris
• Arrhythmia
• Pacemaker
• Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or known circulatory dysfunction
• Acute febrile respiratory (Flu like respiratory conditions)
• Acute kidney and urinary tract diseases
• Severe Anemia
• Cold Allergenic Phenomenon (known allergy to cold contactants)
• Heavy consumerist diseases (abnormal bleeding)
• Seizure disorders
• Bacterial and viral infections of the skin, wound healing disorders (open sores or discharging wound/skin conditions)
• Alcohol and drug related contraindications
• Valvular heart disease
• Cardiac Stent
• Conditions after heart surgery
• Ischemic heart disease
• Raynaud’s disease Polyneuropathies Pregnancy/Breast Feeding Vasculitis
• Claustrophobia
• Hyperhidrosis – heavy perspiration
• Sever Diabetes
• Inserted Aneurysm Clips in the brain

If you are pregnant, suffering from a blood or heart condition, being treated for cancer, suffer from seizures, suffer from a kidney or urinary tract infection, have open wounds or ulcers, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, WBC can potentially have adverse effects. In other cases WBC is much safer than an ice bath as cold is applied superficially and for a shorter period of time, jumpstarting your body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Throughout the entire Whole Body Cryotherapy process, your head is kept outside of the sauna and is constantly exposed to normal, room temperature air. The door to the Cryosauna closes but does not lock, so you are always in control. In addition a trained operator is always present to ensure your maximum safety.

An ice bath involves submersing a patient in cold water for about 10-20 minutes to encourage the body to increase circulation and healing. An ice bath will feel much colder and uncomfortable due to direct conductivity of water to the skin. However the air conductivity to the skin is different hence you don’t feel as cold as an ice bath. WBC triggers the same and advanced healing mechanisms by exposing the body to hyper cool air, resulting in a more comfortable and more effective session after only 3 minutes max. WBC purifies the blood, increases the body’s nutrient flow, and removes toxins from the system.

No preparation is needed prior to arriving at the center. Because dry air is used, there is no need to shower afterwards. It is common for patients to use the Cryosauna during a lunch break from work as the process is quick, clean, and simple.

Yes. It’s common for athletes to utilize WBC prior to workout in order to increase flexibility, range of motion, blood flow, and oxygen flow. Similarly, it’s common for athletes to participate in Whole Body Cryotherapy after working out in order to expedite soft tissue healing. Avoid using any lotions or other topical products beforehand.

Not necessarily. Because air is used instead of water, it is not necessary to shower prior to or following a session. However, safety and best results are achieved when your body is clean and free from oils, lotions, and other impurities.

Before entering the Cryosauna for the first time, our trained staff will walk you through the process step by step so you know exactly what to expect. While using the Cryosauna your extremities will be protected by gloves, socks, and slippers. Women can choose whether to remove or wear undergarments; men are required to wear underwear for protection. The session will last between 1.5 and 3 minutes. During this time your core body temperature will not change. Because the air does not contain any moisture, you will feel chilled but not uncomfortably cold. Your skin temperature will drop to an average of 50° F during the session but will increase back to normal within a few minutes of the session’s conclusion.

When the session is complete, your skin will return to its normal temperature within minutes. Immediately after you may feel a slight tingling sensation, but within minutes you will likely feel relaxed and muscular pain generally begins to subside immediately. Many patients report feeling invigorated with diminished pain symptoms immediately after WBC. Additionally, many experience better sleep after a session, and the invigorating effects of a session are cumulative and long-lasting with additional treatments. Follow-up sessions are recommended for maximum results.

WBC is a process of exposing the body to ultra-cool air for no more than 3 minutes at a time in order to trick the brain that the body is freezing, triggering the body’s natural healing mechanisms. As your core works intensively to heat blood and transport it to your extremities, circulation is increased, purifying blood by replacing harmful toxins with oxygen. This oxygen-purified blood, full of hormones and enzymes, then courses to your muscles and organs, accelerating healing and recovery.

While using the Cryosauna your extremities will be protected by gloves, socks, and slippers. All jewelry must be removed. Women can choose whether to remove or wear undergarments; men are required to wear underwear for protection.

No – because your head and face are never submerged or inside of the Cryosauna, it’s possible to have a full session and return to work right afterwards. From the time you walk through the CryotherapyIndy doors until the time you leave will generally take no longer than 15 minutes.

WBC “tricks” your body into implementing the same responses it would if you were freezing without the discomfort. Your body works much harder than normal in order to heat your body up. Consequently, it’s been reported that 500-800 calories are burned as a result of each session.

Your body’s natural healing mechanisms are transported via your blood. WBC “tricks” your body into implementing the same responses it would if you were freezing, which means blood moves more quickly than normal in order to warm your extremities. Increased, hormone- and enzyme-rich blood flow means increased oxygen content, minimized toxins, and enhanced muscle recovery.

The Cryosauna can be used up to twice a day, but this is typically only recommended for professional athletes on a very vigorous training schedule. Generally 6 to 8 treatments within the first two weeks of starting cryotherapy to treat a particular problem is recommended.  After that, 2-3 treatments a week are sufficient to continue the benefits of WBC, however treatment schedules vary depending on your level of athletic activity, severity of soft tissue ailments, and other factors.

Depending on the condition you are treating, our professional staff will recommend a session that last between 1.5 and 3 minutes. No session is longer than 3 minutes.