Cryotherapy is an up and coming, innovative way to relax the muscles. High school, club and professional sports teams are running to the remedy. Cryotherapy includes, but is not limited to, a full body chamber, localized treatments and NormaTec Compressions.

I personally experienced this treatment a few weeks ago at US Cryotherapy in North Scottsdale. In order to protect sensitive areas of skin, you are required to wear a face mask, a thick winter beanie, tube socks, slippers and thick gloves. Men typically enter in a simple pair of shorts, whereas women have the option of exercise pants or shorts, and a sports bra. The specialists who run the cryotherapy suggest you expose as much skin as possible in order to allow the cold to work into your muscles.

Before entering the machine, a staff member will record your body temperature and ask you to pick an upbeat song to get you through the cold. Inside the chamber they suggest you continue to circulate your body by walking in clockwise and counterclockwise circles.

The time in the chamber varies upon how often you participate in the treatment. Beginners typically start with anywhere from two and a half minutes to three minutes. When you exit the chamber your body temperature is taken and is expected to have dropped a total of 30 degrees. Before you are allowed to leave the office you are required to work up some blood flow by either riding a stationary bicycle or elliptical. Prices vary by season but look out for clearance weekends, in order to try your hand at Cryotherapy.