Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy works by exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time, creating a controlled physiological stress response. This rapid cold exposure triggers the sympathetic nervous system, the branch responsible for alertness and protection, and leads to vasoconstriction, or narrowing of blood vessels in the skin and peripheral tissues.

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This initial cold-driven response is associated with reduced local blood flow at the surface and changes in nervous system signaling that can influence how the body perceives discomfort and soreness. Cold exposure may also stimulate the release of naturally occurring chemicals involved in stress and mood response, including adrenaline and endorphins.

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Once the session ends, the body begins to rewarm. During this phase, blood vessels expand through vasodilation, and circulation shifts back toward muscles and tissues. This rewarming and reperfusion phase is commonly associated with increased blood flow, which supports the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and helps the body clear metabolic byproducts that can build up with physical stress and activity.

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For many individuals, the post-exposure rewarming period is also associated with a parasympathetic rebound, where nervous system activity shifts toward a calmer, restorative state after the initial sympathetic activation. This shift is one reason people often describe feeling relaxed, clear-headed, or “reset” following a session.

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The combination of brief cold exposure, nervous system activation, and controlled rewarming creates a measurable physiological response that is widely used in modern recovery and wellness routines.