H E A LT H
at Iwona Specialty Clinic in Dubai,
regarded as being the first chamber of its
kind to open in the emirate. It can fit up
to four people there but up to two seems
more comfortable.
Before the session, our vitals were
checked and our medical history taken,
to ensure that our body is not likely to
react negatively to the stimulus.
After the paperwork was taken care of,
and because we were first-timers, we were
asked to change into a cotton tee and
shorts, slip into some knee-length socks
and then some crocs. This was followed
by some elbow warmers, a pair of thick-
ish gloves, a fuzzy headband and then a
surgical mask. I half-expected a camera
to whip out and snap an image of us
followed by a "You've been punked!"
Generally, the less clothing you wear,
the better, but as the chamber is at a
whopping -110C, first-timers are given
some degree of protection in case they
accidentally brush against any of the
walls inside and learn how to identify
the term 'freezer burn' from first-hand
experience.
While we were being given the low-
down by the professional at hand, we
were standing at room temperature and
were then asked to step into the chamber
which is split in two. The first room is
at -60C where you are to stand for at
least 30 seconds before progressing into
the next room. It is recommended to
keep moving to have some semblance
&
W E L L N E S S
of warmth but also to be careful not stamp of approval from several doctors,
to touch anything, even yourself, so no chiropractors and physical therapists
rubbing hands or arms.
worldwide, there are mixed conclusions
about their practicality and usefulness.
If you feel any ache, there is no need
to fret as this supposedly means that Studies have shown short-term benefits,
the therapy is working although I was which I agree with as my aforementioned
sceptical. Coincidentally, I did have a neck pain gradually returned in a few
strained neck that day and did feel it hours, making the treatment akin to
exacerbate before completely fading but I a Dh300 Panadol Extra. Although,
chalked that up to actually losing feeling it is definitely worth noting that like
in my extremities as usually happens in any treatment, it cannot be taken as a
cold temperatures.
one-and-done method meaning that a
continuous approach is a given if one
Due to the constricted space inside, the wishes to see long-term benefits.
instructions to not touch anything, and
the advice to keep moving, my colleague Though, long-term effects are also
and I ended up looking like we were something that has not been properly
locked in a fight neither of us wanted to studied in depth. A lot of its information
be a part of as we hopped around in a is based more on extrapolation rather
circle, facing each other, and vehemently than cold, hard facts, such as its calorie-
shaking our fists in the air. A definite burning claim. There are definitely
entertainment for the clinic professionals contradictory results out there and just as
monitoring us from the outside.
many people who swear by cryotherapy
as those who have sworn off it.
After exiting, you are put through a
post-treatment workout where you Ultimately, when it comes to easing pain
either jump on a stationary assault bike and aiding muscle recovery in sports, it
or do some plyometric exercises for a holds the same after-effects as any cold
few minutes to promote the flow of the treatment, be it an ice bath or an ice
now-enriched blood through your body. pack. In the end, people would rather
The entire experience takes about 15 stand two to three minutes stark naked
minutes and leaves you feeling refreshed in a chamber than suffer the penetrative
(due to the adrenaline) and also hungry, cold of cold water immersion.
probably due to the caloric burn. This
treatment is not recommended for Cryotherapy, then, is probably worth a
people who are pregnant and those who try after you have exhausted other, more
suffer from heart conditions.
economically-feasible avenues. Until
then, keep a weather eye on the research
While cryotherapy has received the and a healthy dose of scepticism.