Cyrotherapy: A health regime to freeze you into shape

The doc was sweet. He smiled knowingly as he checked out my blood pressure and asked some personal questions. I was not sure whether to be pleased or scared when he told me I was healthy enough to be frozen.

Okay I exaggerate. The whole exhilarating process lasts just 3 minutes. The first minute is spent acclimatizing in a sauna style chiller cabinet at -60°C, then into a cryochamber where temperatures plummet to -120°C (even the Antarctic cannot compete with temperatures like that), thanks to a liquid oxygen and nitrogen combo.

I was at the thermal spa centre at eco-friendly Aquacity in Slovakia. Cyrotherapy is a new addition to their myriad of healing thermal water based experiences. The treatment may sound daunting, but actually athletes have been spending time in freezing temperatures for years as part of their overall fitness training. For non-athletes this short sharp shiver is believed to improve circulation, pain relief, target cellulite, boost muscles and aid concentration.

The doctor dressed us in a lightweight top and shorts, a pair of white socks to the knee and a mask. He dispensed clear instructions to keep moving, and not to breathe deeply. The two minutes seems to take an age, but Jo, a cryotherapy die-hard, was in there with me and advised me to count the seconds. I think I got to a thousand.

At last the doctor opened the door. As we spilled out of the chamber the doc herded us to the fitness room to exercise for twenty minutes to raise body temperatures and increase our heart beat to normal levels.

I felt energized and really alive for the rest of the day. As for my cellulite it may well have been zapped, but this experience certainly put a whole new meaning to the term ‘chilling out’.

www.aquacityresort.com

To book call:
Czech Travel
Tel: 01733 327766
www.czechtravelonline.com

15 November 2006