Selecting a Cryotherapy Chamber

Highlights from the Global Wellness Institute’s ‘Provider’s Guide to Whole Body Cryotherapy’

While cryotherapy is an umbrella term that includes any application of cold for therapeutic purposes, including ice baths, ice rooms or cryosauna, a chamber cooled by liquid nitrogen exposing the body to the cold but not the head. This article will focus on whole-body cryotherapy delivered via air at extreme temperatures below -103°F (-75°C) in enclosed, walk-in chambers.

Whole-body cryotherapy has a wide range of researched applications and benefits, but it also carries risks that come with generating and applying extremely low temperatures. During whole-body cryotherapy, customization of treatment protocols is necessary to achieve the guest’s goals. Consider factors like physical condition, medical history, age, gender, susceptibility to cold, and their availability for continuous treatments. Depending on these factors, cryotherapy can be utilized as a single session, a series of sessions, or as part of a continued wellness lifestyle.

Ensure guests’ safety during treatments by providing socks, closed shoes with thick soles, facial mask, gloves, and headband or hat to cover ears. It is not recommended that guests use their own items, as they might contain moisture, risking skin damage.

There are different types of cryotherapy chambers on the market, selecting the right one for the business is key to its success.

Cooling systems:
• Gas-driven: Uses liquified gas, usually nitrogen, as the coolant. The chamber reaches the target temperature within minutes, meaning it can be switched off in between treatments, thereby reducing operating costs.
• Electrical: Takes longer to reach the target temperature, requiring it to stay switched on in between treatments to maintain stable temperatures.

Capacity:
• Individual: These chambers are designed for short treatments for one person, with temperatures ranging from -103°F (-75°C) to -130°F (-90°C), to prevent the chamber from creating ice.
• Group: These have one or more pre-chambers that are less cold than the main chamber to help prepare for the experience, isolating the treatment space from external factors and ensuring lower and more stable temperatures.

Space: Consider the size of the entrance and the room you plan to install the chamber. Ensure the chamber fits and the ventilation is appropriate for the equipment selected.

Location: Install the chamber away from any wet areas, as humidity negatively impacts the equipment’s functioning, guest experience, and safety. Individual chambers are recommended to be installed behind closed doors, with space for changing separated from the locker room. While multiuser cryochambers can be added to open spaces, separated from the changing booths.

Availability of supplies: Research all supplies required for daily operation, such as nitrogen gas, consumables, and protection supplies, are available in your area.

Cost of operation: Consider operational costs, including supplies, personnel, and repairs, to ensure long-term affordability and sustainability.

Local permits: Research the construction and sanitary codes for area, and revise the chamber specifications. Consider the ventilation, electrical requirements and piping.

www.globalwellnessinstitute.org