Cryotherapy: "Fight or Flight" Reduces Stress and Injury

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Humans, as a modern species, are about 65,000 years old, and our ancestors go back 200,000 years. Long before we had doctors and hospitals, our bodies evolved ways to cope with stress and injury.

Inside our brains and bodies are very special chemicals specifically there to help us mend ourselves. But, how does one trigger the release of these wonderful chemicals?

After a strenuous workout, you may have experienced the “runner’s high”, which is a release of endorphins into the blood stream. The feeling is euphoric; some say it’s a second wind. You feel energetic and focused. Your mood is calmer and you sleep much better.

In the 1970’s doctors in Japan found that by super-cooling the human body for up to 3 minutes causes the brain to go into survival mode releasing the body’s own support chemicals to repair and reset the physiological workings of the brain and body. Endorphins are released as well as neurohormones from the hypothalamus. After four decades of research by European scientists, Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) evolved into what today has become the new standard for recovery and rejuvenation.

Dovepress, The Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine states: “Although it was originally developed to treat chronic medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, WBC is being increasingly employed by athletes. Its effects include a reduction in inflammation, analgesia, and enhanced recovery following exercise. WBC is typically initiated within the early stages (within 0–24 hours) after exercise and may be repeated several times in the same day or multiple times over a number of weeks. WBC modifies many important biochemical and physiological parameters in human athletes.”

Dr. Oz recommends Cryotherapy for relief from pain and chronic inflammation. Tony Robbins, Padraig Harrington, and Kobe Bryant each have their own Cryosauna at their homes. And recently, LeBron James and Floyd Mayweather are now using WBC.

Please Google “Whole Body Cryotherapy” and see for yourself how this may help you.

Inflammation Ages Your Skin: Fight Back With Cryotherapy

Not all inflammation is bad. Acute inflammation—the kind that occurs immediately following an injury or infection– is necessary to initiate healing. We’re all familiar with this acute version: swelling, redness and pain immediately develop from an injury or infection as blood, leukocytes and other immune defensive biochemicals race to the scene. Acute inflammation should last a few days to a few weeks as the injury or infection is healed or cleared out by the immune system.

Inflammation becomes far more sinister when it enters into the chronic realm. Chronic inflammation isn’t necessarily visible—but it can last days, months, or even years and it can lead to premature aging of the body and skin.

Chronic inflammation occurs due to longer-term injury or infection: chronic exposure to toxins (like alcohol and cigarettes), allergens, stress, irritants, autoimmune dysfunction, physical or emotional trauma and inflammatory foods (like sugar!). Exposure to these stimulants triggers the release of free radicals and arachidonic acid, initiating the “inflammatory cascade”—leukocytes and blood are mobilized, just like the acute inflammatory process. The real players though are called MMPs: matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs accompany inflammation for all of the right reasons: they enzymatically destroy injured tissue making way for the growth of healthy, new tissue. MMPs are required to remodel tissue during wound healing. The problem is that in the case of chronic inflammation, there isn’t injured tissue, only healthy tissue. So the MMPs destroy that instead….

MMPs break down the core components of healthy skin: collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s)and other connective tissue. If chronic inflammation exists in the skin or elsewhere in the body, MMPs will cause skin to thin, wrinkle, lose elasticity and discolor. It isn’t pretty! MMPs are also responsible for the scarring and pitting that is caused by chronic acne inflammation.

There are over 30 different types of the MMPs…but the main culprits will sound familiar: collagenase (breaks down collagen), elastinase (breaks down elastin) and hyaluronidase (breaks down hyaluronic acid). The breakdown of these key connective tissues leads to aging everywhere—in the skin, joints, organs etc. The bottom line is MMPs are bad for your skin and body unless you’re fighting an acute infection or injury.

In order to maintain beautiful, healthy skin as you age it’s necessary to reduce chronic inflammation in your body—and avoid the release of MMPs! You can do this in a number of ways:

  1. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet that is low in sugar and high in fruits & vegetables;
  2. Limit exposure to toxins and other irritants;
  3. Exercise to de-stress, lose weight and build muscle;
  4. Use products that decrease MMPs…examples are retinol, vitamin C, resveratrol and ginger;
  5. Use whole body and local cryotherapy to lighten your inflammatory load in your body and on your skin!

To prevent and potentially reverse the signs of aging in your skin, we recommend whole body cryotherapy at least 2 times a week; add a CryoFacial one to two times a week to directly reduce inflammation in the skin. Here’s what you will notice after starting cryotherapy:

  1. Acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis diminish or even disappear!
  2. Dry, rough, flaking skin is relieved. Skin is smoother, softer.
  3. Skin is tighter, spongier, more elastic.
  4. Cellulite is reduced from increased collagen and reduced fat.
  5. Wrinkles diminish as collagen, elastin & hyaluronic acid increase.
  6. Brown spots and other pigmentation diminish.

You will love the many benefits cryotherapy has on your skin. Cryotherapy will also increase both mental and physical energy, help reduce weight, increase metabolism and improve cognitive function and sleep!!! By reducing inflammation throughout the body, at the cellular level, cryotherapy can transform you mentally & physically. Give CoeurCryo a call to learn more at 208-449-7671 or visit our website for more blogs at www.coeurcryo.com.

Stop Restless Leg Syndrome With Whole Body Cryotherapy

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by throbbing, pulling, creeping, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable, and sometimes overwhelming, urge to move them. Symptoms occur primarily at night when a person is relaxing or at rest and can increase in severity during the night. Moving the legs relieves the discomfort. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.

Lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms which causes people with RLS to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Many people with RLS report that their job, personal relations, and activities of daily living are strongly affected as a result of their sleep deprivation. They are often unable to concentrate, have impaired memory, or fail to accomplish daily tasks. It also can make traveling difficult and can cause depression.

Until recently, there were various competing theories as to the causes of RLS. Prominent theories included:

  1. Iron deficiency;
  2. Dopamine dysregulation;
  3. Infection;
  4. Chronic diseases-kidney failure, diabetes & peripheral neuropathy;
  5. Certain medications;
  6. Pregnancy.

New research, however, indicates that although the above conditions are highly associated with Restless Leg Syndrome, it is underlying chronic inflammation that is causing these conditions in addition to the RLS. Therefore, RLS and the above conditions are actually concurrent side effects of underlying, chronic inflammation.

Groundbreaking research conducted in 2012 revealed “The fact that 95% of the 38 highly-associated RLS conditions are also associated with inflammatory/immune changes suggests the possibility that RLS may be mediated or affected through these mechanisms. Inflammation can be responsible for iron deficiency and hypothetically could cause central nervous system iron deficiency-induced RLS. Alternatively, an immune reaction to gastrointestinal bacteria or other antigens may hypothetically cause RLS by a direct immunological attack on the central or peripheral nervous system.” (1)

Current research suggests that inflammation is the root cause of RLS, as well as the concurrent conditions (once thought to be the source of RLS).

  1. The inflammation causing RLS can also affect iron levels. The scientific community agrees that inflammation can affect iron levels (2). The causality is often confused here: low iron appears to be one of the guilty parties when it comes to RLS symptoms but it is inflammation that is causing the low iron levels. Increasing iron levels will improve RLS symptoms, but addressing the underlying inflammation can actually cure the condition.
  2. Dopamine imbalance and RLS are both caused by inflammation. There are many scientific studies that show that a dopamine imbalance can be due to either low iron levels or caused directly from inflammation (3) (4). Increasing dopamine levels helps with the symptoms, but does not deal with the actual cause. The inflammation that is causing the dopamine imbalance must be dealt with directly if the levels are ever to stabilize.
  3. Infection causes chronic inflammation throughout the body and RLS is simply a “biomarker” revealing the high inflammation.
  4. Chronic conditions such as kidney failure and diabetes are associated with high inflammation throughout the body which then causes the RLS;
  5. Medications hypothesized to cause RLS are known to increase inflammation;
  6. RLS is caused by the higher inflammation found in pregnant women. Many scientific studies show that RLS symptoms are at their worst in the third trimester of pregnancy (5).Studies also show that inflammation levels tend to be higher in pregnant women, especially the third trimester (6).

At CoeurCryo, we have developed a treatment program to address Restless Leg Syndrome without the use of drugs. Pharmaceutical treatment for RLS comes with significant side effects. Our treatment program utilizes whole body cryotherapy to reduce systemic inflammation throughout the body. We see a dramatic improvement in symptoms related to RLS:

  1. pain and tingling is reduced;
  2. mental and physical energy increases;
  3. healthy sleep is restored.

Clinical trials show that whole body cryotherapy reduces inflammation by activating anti-inflammatory processes in the body. These processes include the anti-inflammatory effects of vasoconstriction and bio-chemical responses to cold.

We have experience treating clients with Restless Leg Syndrome and are confident that we can help you! We offer many treatment options to fit in with your budget and schedule. We are open 12 hours/day, 5 days a week to ensure that you receive the most effective, efficient and reliable cryotherapy treatment. Our cryotechnicians are trained in the technology of cryotherapy—but also in the biological science. CoeurCryo offers the safest and most effective cryotherapy for Restless Leg Syndrome and a host of other inflammatory-related health conditions and injuries.

(1) Sleep Med Rev. 2012 Aug;16(4):341-54. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2011.09.003. Epub 2012 Jan 17. Restless legs syndrome–theoretical roles of inflammatory and immune mechanisms. Weinstock LB1, Walters AS, Paueksakon P.

(2) Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Chiari et al 1995  Influence of Acute Inflammation on Iron and Nutritional Status Indexes in Older Inpatients

(3) Journal of Sleep Research : Mizuno et al 2004 CSF iron, ferritin and transferrin levels in restless legs syndrome

(4) J Neurochem. 2007 Mar;100(5):1375-86. Epub 2007 Jan 23. Inflammation induces mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal system.Hunter RL1, Dragicevic N, Seifert K, Choi DY, Liu M, Kim HC, Cass WA, Sullivan PG, Bing G.

(5) “A common sleep disorder in pregnancy: Restless legs syndrome and its predictors.” Balendran J, Champion D, Jaaniste T, Welsh A. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011 Jun;51(3):262-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2011.01294.x. Epub 2011 Mar 16.

(6) 2008 Jul;149(7):3470-7. doi: 10.1210/en.2007-1695. Epub 2008 Mar 27. Prokineticin-1: a novel mediator of the inflammatory response in third-trimester human placenta. Denison FC1, Battersby S, King AE, Szuber M, Jabbour HN.

Why You Should Be Drinking Bone Broth

What makes bone broth so beneficial? 

Here's the deal: Bone broth is catching on because people know that it tastes fantastic and keeps them healthy. But bone broth isn't just warming and nutritious; it actually turns back the clock. A healthy aging expert, Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, M.S, M.D made bone broth a core of her program for years—and it works. Why is bone broth one of her most powerful clinical tools? First, it's packed with healthy-aging nutrients. Here are just some of them:

What's more, bone broth is rich and soul-satisfying. It fills you up and warms you down to your toes, so you're never tempted to overeat or snack on junk that ages your face and body.

In clinical experience, bone broth reverses signs of aging better than any powder, pill, or serum. And unlike expensive creams and prescription medications, bone broth costs next to nothing. Finally, think about this: How many amazing anti-aging treatments can you make in your own kitchen from stuff you'd usually throw away? (It's the ultimate recycling project!)

So give it a try, and see what happens. Dr. Kellyann drinks at least one cup of bone broth every day, and that's the same healthy aging prescription she gives her patients, too. If you need help managing healthy weight, try adding in one or two bone broth "micro-fasts" each week. Within days, you'll start to feel a difference—and within weeks, you'll start to look it too.

Your Brain on Houseplants

An indoor Garden enhances more than just the decor.

Having pretty plants in your home is a nice perk of indoor gardening, but research suggests that maintaining them can boost your health, too. "Gardening has been shown in multiple studies to be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline or dementia in older adult", says David Carr, M.D., a professor of geriatric medicine at Washington University in St. Lous. "Plants help you become more competent and give you something meaningful to do and take care of," notes Patty Cassidy, a registered horticulture therapist. Try these: