Freezing people using Cryotherapy for 5 years

I am Ruth and I freeze people!  … for recovery, wellness, weight loss, and beauty!  I am a little on the crazy side but with a strong desire to succeed.   I had the vision to build a unique business and help people which is exactly what has now become my reality over the last five years.   It’s a proud moment to meet this 5-year landmark, so here is a little look back, some ‘cryo’ information all pulled together in one place for you.

Five years ago

Cryojuvenate was launched in March 2017, at the time only a couple of independent businesses offering this leading-edge alternative therapy were in existence. It is primarily a sports injury and wellness business offering Cryotherapy treatments offering a range of premium and unique services that target sports recovery, pain relief, fat loss, anti-aging and general wellness.

A far cry from my previous life…..

How it all began

In March 2016 following redundancy after a 30-year career in Telecoms, I decided it was time to change my life. My inspirational moment came whilst watching an American housewives program as they were being treated in a whole-body nitrogen cryotherapy chamber at excessively cold temperatures.  This in conjunction with my passion for sport and deliberating injuries drove me to pursue it.

I started to research cryotherapy which revealed that whole body cryotherapy involves the use of super-cooled air over the whole body surface to trigger powerful and natural defense mechanisms.  As a sports fanatic, I had experienced injuries over the years and could understand how ice-cold treatment would help.  I became more passionate and committed to launching this unique business. I set myself goals, a business plan, a budget, and a timeline.  I enrolled in a business start-up course and consolidated planning – before I knew it I was actually doing it!

Launching a cryotherapy business was no walk in the park, this was my first business and at the time very few people were aware of what cryotherapy was or how it could help them – a daunting challenge but one that I embraced full-on.

The doors opened my doors exactly 1 year from the conception of the idea.

Take a look back at the launch night here  (view YouTube video)

Take a look back at the refit and first year here (view YouTube video)

At the very beginning

The business launched with 4 core offerings – whole body cryotherapy, localised cryotherapy, facial cryotherapy, and fat freezingwith a small team of 3.  It was a simple offering but always the vision was to extend the services.

Fast forward 5 years the team has doubled, a plethora of additional services has been launched (sports massage, body sculpting, EMS Medisculp to build muscle and burn fat as well as a weekly clinic offering Vitamin Injections,  Intravenous IV Drips and CRYOPEN for skin tags, warts and age spots, etc.) and I have had the privilege to meet and work with the most amazing people along the way.

Never a day alike, never a dull moment, and such rewarding work to help people and see them leave happy and helped!

Present-day

Today, Cryojuvenate is a multi-award-winning clinic and the primary choice for those in pursuit of the restorative and therapeutic power that is Cryotherapy. It is the go-to place for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and local sports teams who have been naturally attracted to the Cryotherapy Chamber and the plethora of alternative services.

And this, along with my fantastic team and all our enthusiasm and commitment to the local and surrounding community has become the foundation of my business.   Plans for new services and potential new locations are coming soon. The future is very exciting.

So what is Cryotherapy?

We know we use the term cryo and cryotherapy a lot here at Cryojuvenate UK but we wanted to explain to you as simply as possible what it all really means and how it works.  If you don’t understand it then you might not try it and we are such big fans that we want everyone to give it a go and feel the cold at work.

I did a great deal of research before I opened Cryojuvenate and I’d like to share what I learned with you.  One of my favoured sources of information was “The Power from the Cold” by Prof. Dr. sc. med. Winifred Papenfuβ.  As it impacts the body and mind, Cryotherapy is the science of subjecting the entire human body to extreme cold temperatures to stimulate the healing of its circulatory, nervous, and energy systems.  It is a powerful remedial technology.

The cold also helps with numbing the body and so minimizing the pain messages being sent back to the brain.  Studies have discovered that this is particularly beneficial to sufferers of fibromyalgia.

The history of Cryotherapy

The age-old ‘ICE BATH’ has always been around – or for as long as most of us can remember?  So how do we go from an ICE BATH to cryotherapy?  Well, back in the 1970s there was this very special Japanese guy [Dr. Toshima Yamaguchi] a renowned Japanese rheumatologist who utilized his cryotherapy research in providing localized freezing treatments on his patients, in short sessions, for pain management of rheumatoid arthritis and other pain issues.  He found that this rapid temperature decrease on the outer layer of skin (epidermis) led to the immediate release of endorphins, causing people to become less sensitive to pain  (read the full article here)

He also found in his research that exposure of the entire body to these extreme temperatures went on to develop the first early cryogenic chambers.

Cold therapy is ancient

Did you know cold therapy actually dates back much further than this – right back to the Egyptians who were using cold water therapy as far back as 2500BC.   The modern-day terminology ‘CRYO’ comes from the GREEK terminology “cryo” meaning cold and “Therapeia” for therapy or cure.

What happens when you go into the chamber at -85C?

When entering the whole body cryotherapy chamber there is a cascade of neurological, endocrine, and immune regulatory functions happening around the body. Our clever bodies prevent us from entering a state of hypothermia by drawing blood flow from the skin surface and directing it right to the core, to protect vital organs. In addition to this, the endocrine system releases endorphins and noradrenalin whist in the cryotherapy chamber, contributing to reductions in stress and cortisol levels (Swenson et al., 1996).

Many regard it as a form of BIOHACKING, you can learn about this vast subject here:  What is Biohacking and how can it enhance your life

What are the benefits of cryotherapy?

To name just a few benefits; better quality sleep, increased energy levels, and metabolism, brightening, and tones skin, soothing of aching muscles and alleviating pains, reduction in inflammation and stress, and so on.  Cryotherapy can also help to improve the symptoms of many medical conditions, such as auto-immune diseases, anxiety and depression, hormone imbalances, and many, many more.

Studies are ever-increasing, and provide continued and structured evidence that Cryotherapy does indeed support better health and physical performance in these areas:

• Cryotherapy helps with weight loss
• Enhances the brain
• Improves athletic performance and recovery
• Boosts the immune system
• Anti-aging & skin rejuvenation
• Cryotherapy helps you feel and look younger

Whilst there is no precise way to determine or qualify, how and when Cryotherapy works at its optimum level, it is highly recommended that you experience Cryotherapy for yourself. It is quite simply a unique experience.   Learn more about the benefits here

Is cryotherapy for everyone?

So, whether your goal is beauty and relaxation, pain management, fitness recovery, or general health and wellbeing, their wide range of treatments, state-of-the-art technology, and a team of specialists, we have got you covered.  In a nutshell, anyone can benefit from using Cryotherapy. Our treatments are not exclusively for athletes or active sports enthusiasts, although it is widely used in athletics and training, for pain relief and long-term pain management, with significant and positive results.

Whilst there are no specific age restrictions for Cryotherapy treatments (with the exception of the Cryolipolysis), we do ask that those under 18 years of age, who wish to use Cryotherapy and sports massage, are accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Authorised consent will be required before any treatment is given.  Equally, there is no upper age limit, providing there are no known medical conditions that would preclude the use of Cryotherapy. If you have any concerns we would always advise you to speak to your GP first.

So which celebs & athletes use cryotherapy?

Earmarked as the wellbeing trend to watch in 2022, it’s no wonder that cryotherapy is a HUGE hit amongst celebrities and world-class athletes alike. And given the endless benefits, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise to you that some of the wealthiest celebrities and athletes are huge fans of cryotherapy and use it to enhance their health and wellbeing, some have even had cryotherapy chambers installed in their homes!

The list really could go on but to name a few check out our full blog here (you will be surprised at how many have visited Cryojuvenate).

NEW BBC program with WIM HOFF

Have you heard of WIM HOFF?  Also known as the ICEMAN, a Dutch motivational speaker and extreme athlete predominantly known for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures. He’s written books, broken world records for swimming under ice, and prolonged full-body contact with ice.  He has developed the WIM HOFF Breathing Method using yoga and meditation and many many people follow his methods.

This man is an ICON and soon to frequent our terrestrial TV screens with a new BBC Reality TV programme  WIM HOFF SUPERSTAR SURVIVAL

So there you have it,  Cryotherapy for 5 years….. it’s here to stay 

Thank you for taking the time to read about the journey ….. just maybe it has helped you to learn a little bit more about how Cryotherapy could help you?

Get in touch here

Best wishes, Ruth