People Using Cryotherapy To Relieve Pain, Burn Calories

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Mornings weren't always good for Jennifer Highfield. But, she recently found a cool new way to deal with a painful medical condition.

"I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. So that meant I was with my doctor, going through different medications, looking for the right balance that would work for me with the pain and inflammation," Highfield explained. "I got to the point where I wanted to feel like my old self again."

For about two months, Jennifer has been immersing herself in an icy, gaseous chamber about three days a week. It's called cryotherapy.

CRYO PGH in East Liberty is one of two centers that recently opened in the city. It is located on Commerce Street.

Cloud Cryotherapy is another. It is located on Smallman Street in the strip district. Pittsburgh Cryotherapy is located on Washington Road in Canonsburg.

The cryo-sauna has three different levels. The most intense, being -202 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes.

Owner Jessica McGartland explains how it works.

"It's a dry air vortexing around your body, doesn't feel as harsh as it sounds," she said.

Cryo-spas are popping up in cities across the country. Clients are noticing benefits right away.

They claim to notice an increased focus and energy, a boosted metabolism, and relief from pain and inflammation.

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Jennifer: So I was taking three prescription strength pain relievers every day. Now I take one.

Kym: So this is something you are going to continue?

Jennifer: Absolutely. For me, I tried so many things or hoped for so many things to work differently and this does.

Contractor Trent Scott suffers from pain too, and he spends most of his shift on his knees.

"Just intense labor all day, seven days a week, so my body is completely shot. I have bursitis in both needs. I have to get them drained about every three months. And shots of cortisone. I haven't had to do anything since I started cryotherapy. It's subsided almost completely," he said.

Trent subjects himself to this icy blast every day, sometimes twice a day.

"Very cold, but a different cold, like a penetrating cold. When I used to play college football, I used to take ice baths. But those are way way way worse. I couldn't even stay in," Scott said.

He credits cryo for a new, slimmer physique.

"The cool thing is you can burn between 500-800 calories per session," McGartland said.

For more information on CRYO PGH, email info@cryopgh.com

Crytherapy is not FDA regulated, and there are precautions. Your body must be completely dry, no metal on the skin, and every session is supervised.

"As far as freezing to death, it can't happen. We have levels here set, 1 2 and 3 minutes. Max you can go is 3 and it's an automatic shut-off. Besides the fact, I stand here beside the cryo-sauna for the entire session and I can shut it off anytime you become uncomfortable," McGartland said.