Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe 53, Spring 2024

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.
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.
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.
www.globalwellnessinstitute.com
Summary by Fabiola Amador Martell
Business Coordinator
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.
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