Cryotherapy is rapidly gaining popularity. This is a therapy where the exposure of (extreme) cold is used as a treatment for a variety of ailments such as pain and swellings. Even though it became more and more popular in recent years, this treatment is not as new as we might think it is. As a matter of fact, its history goes back to 2500 BC. Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, and Greece already used this sort of therapy to treat injuries and inflammation. Therefore, it might not be surprising that the term cryotherapy actually comes from the Greek words 'cryo' and 'therapeia' and translates to cold treatment. Being exposed to cold is one of the three powerful pillars that the Wim Hof Method is based on. Start receiving the benefits of cold therapy yourself and join the thousands of practitioners of the Wim Hof Method today.

Cryotherapy is beneficial in many ways. Doctors, for example, use it to freeze off warts or cancerous cells. However, cryotherapy can also be used in a non-medical setting. This way of using the treatment also offers numerous positive effects. For instance, research supports the fact that cryotherapy helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and sore muscles. Therefore, loads of professional athletes, bodybuilders, and celebrities turn to ice baths and other forms of cold therapy to take care of their bodies. Another reason why people try cryotherapy is that it speeds up metabolism and therefore helps with weight loss. Additionally, the therapy is associated with improved sleep quality, more focus, and the reduction of anxiety and depression.

There are various forms of cryo treatment. A pretty new but much-used form of cryotherapy is whole-body cryotherapy. This method involves exposure to cold dry air while standing in a sealed container for a short period of time. Only your head is kept at room temperature, thanks to an open top. It became popular in the 1980s and 1990s, when whole-body cryotherapy was introduced to Europe, the USA, and Australia. Since the temperature in the container is adjustable, the operator can modify the cold experience to your level of comfort. Also, the cold dry air gives a more pleasant feeling than, for instance, the touch of an ice bath. However, as whole-body cryotherapy is relatively expensive and not widely available, methods like the Wim Hof Method are an affordable alternative when you want to try cryotherapy. Besides, the other forms of cold therapy that the WHM uses, like taking a cold shower, a snow walk (when possible), or an ice bath, are at least as effective.

By using cryotherapy, you get to experience multiple benefits like reduced inflammation and muscle soreness. Practitioners of the Wim Hof Method know what it is like to feel these advantages, as cold therapy is an important component of the WHM. In addition, the method offers many other excellent benefits. To give some examples, practicing the WHM is beneficial for your mental health, as it helps to relieve stress, increase willpower, and boost concentration. Furthermore, your physical wellbeing also benefits from the WHM as it helps lower your blood pressure, lets you sleep better, and boosts your immune system.

Many people from all over the world already benefit from the Wim Hof Method. It is not difficult to start practicing, as you can even do it from within the comforts of your own home. During our step-by-step online video courses, you will learn everything you need to know about this powerful method. You start with breathing exercises, meditation, and gradual exposure to low temperatures by taking cold showers. You will feel more energetic, less stressed, and better rested within just a couple of weeks. Do you want to try it out before joining a course? No problem! Download our Wim Hof Method app and enjoy free instructional videos for breathing, cold showers, and several yoga exercises.

The Wim Hof Method is a scientifically underpinned method that helps you influence your own body. It is built on three pillars. Besides cold therapy, the other pillars of the WHM are breathing techniques (to improve your energy levels and reduce stress levels, among other things) and commitment (to help you move out of your comfort zone). Do you want to know how cryotherapy can help you to influence your body? Start your Wim Hof journey today by signing up for our simple yet powerful online video courses or download the mobile app.

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Tineke, The Netherlands

I have severe arthritis in my left hip. By implementing the Wim Hof Method in my daily life, I can deal with this without getting surgery. I love Wim’s purity. His coaching inspires me and gives me energy. I’m almost 66 years old and by practicing the Wim Hof Method I feel much more...

Albert, The Netherlands

For 12 years now I have had rheumatism. Thanks to the Wim Hof Method I have been able to halve the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs. My goal is to completely stop the use of anti-inflammatory drugs after finishing the video course.

Aivar, Estonia

I am 52 years old, and after 10 weeks of the Wim Hof Method I am in the best shape I have ever been. I did 30 push-ups as a test before I started the course, and when I finished I did 100 push-ups for the first time in my life. The Wim Hof Method gives you a good mood, it’s addictive!

Monic, The Netherlands

It’s only been 4 weeks since I started, but the results are remarkable! Thank you from the heart for changing my life, my health, and my understanding about my own power and the influence I have on this. I’m looking forward to a nice cold winter in the Netherlands.

Mino, Germany

Learning Wim’s method is like studying from one of nature’s best students. My life long fear of cold is history. I now fully enjoy cold immersions, but the benefits are not limited to cold. I am now a better person and a happier being. I smile when facing life challenges.

Gregor

After 8 months of daily Hoffing, puffing and cold showers I can claim to be cured of my 5 year burnout. Not having had a single cold or flu, my sore knee is working perfectly again, which was very painful the last 2 years. It is like a miracle, and I’m really grateful that our paths crossed.

Franco, USA

Wim I hope to train with you someday. I love to jump into that cold water and climb that mountain with you. Your method has truly helped me with psoriatic arthritis. I am no longer taking Humira injections for my symptoms. I am controlling it with breathing, cold showers and ice baths.

Matthew, Australia

I would have paid $10,000 for this, but that would not be enough because this has changed my life. I feel like I have taken Valium yet am supercharged. As a clinical psychologist my days can be very stressful. There is a stillness inside me now, and what I am really amazed by is the peace lasts.

Per Kristian, United Kingdom

After 3 weeks of daily practicing my medication (Naproxen) for long-standing sciatica has been cut by 80%, and my arm pain and 'pins and needles' following a neck injury 50 years ago has been halved!

Arthur, USA

I got anxiety 2+ years ago, and have had panic attacks every day since. Medicine helped a little. I came across your videos and started to walk my 2 miles a day in only a t-shirt at 20F degrees. Within 2 weeks my anxiety went away! I found it to be a miracle.

James, USA

I’ve had astonishing results battling addiction with the Wim Hof Method. It has saved my life and is the only thing that worked on getting clean and healthy. I go ahead and get my suffering over with in the cold showers, so I don't have to suffer throughout the day. Pretty good trade to...

Georg, Germany

Cardiac and respiratory arrest began my life. Heart defect and cleft palate pushed diseases. Depression, lack of self-efficacy, and post traumatic stress disorder followed. The Wim Hof Method frees me: I am twenty-nine years old, and I love to live. Thank you!

Grant, Australia

I was born with Spina Bifida, and was told I would end up in a wheelchair. After incorporating the Wim Hof Method into my daily life I have begun to see results in my pain levels and athleticism. I am no longer looking down the barrel of becoming a paraplegic, and I attribute that in part to the...

Raúl, The Netherlands

From the 90s to 2012 I developed hayfever symptoms and had to take daily medications in order to cope. The effect of these medications only lasted for several hours. By using the Wim Hof Method training daily, my body has conquered hayfever symptoms since 2013.

Benjamin

I started the Wim Hof method in October of 2018, and now the holes I had in my brain are gone. My neurosurgeon was so impressed by the scans that he told me I don't have to come back anymore. I take this as proof that this method works to regenerate brain tissue.

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Cryotherapy

What are the cryotherapy benefits?

The difference between the various cryo treatments

Cryotherapy with the Wim Hof Method

Practice the Wim Hof Method

The three pillars

Wim Hof Method References