WHOLE BODY CRYO

Why Cryo at Alchemy?

At Alchemy, Whole Body Cryotherapy is the practice of walking inside a spacious room that evenly cools your whole body (including head, neck and shoulders) with very cold dry air that is electrically cooled (below -110°C), throughout your session (approx. 3 minutes).

In comparison to other cryotherapy chambers, our Cryo Room is a world-class system that has been engineered to:

• Maintain constant air temperature below -110°C, for the total session duration.
• Evenly cool the full body including head and neck.
• Generate very cold dry air using electricity alone (NOT Liquid Nitrogen).

Thereby achieving superior results, as our Cryo Room:

• Induces a greater cooling effect.
• Provides a uniform skin temperature reduction.
• Achieves a larger stimulation of the Autonomic Nervous System.
• Achieves a significantly greater physiological response.

This is supported by the following clinical study by Dr Hausswirth, et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

Why is Cryotherapy safest at Alchemy?

Our Cryo Room is the safest and most advanced cryotherapy system in Australia and globally, as it:

• generates cold air using electricity alone which is safe to breathe. Does NOT use liquid nitrogen to cool the air thus eliminating the risks of liquid nitrogen burns and hypoxia.
• evenly cools your whole body which provides a uniform skin temperature reduction. Does NOT spray cold air onto sections of your body.

This is supported by the following clinical study by Dr Hausswirth, et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

It is important however to ensure the following:

• You don’t have any conditions that preclude you from whole body cryotherapy (please review our Alchemy Cryo Contraindications and consult your doctor if you have any concerns).
• You are feeling well on the day.
• You are completely dry before you come in for a cryotherapy session. Face towels can be provided to assist.
• You follow our Alchemy Cryo Safety Rules.

Additionally, your session is supervised by an Alchemy team member. The doors of the Cryo Room cannot be locked. Therefore, you may exit the Cryo Room at any time.

Why is the Cryo Room the most superior chamber?

At Alchemy, our Cryotherapy ‘Chamber’ is a spacious double room that you can comfortably walk around in. It includes two rooms: a pre-room cooled below -60°C and main-room cooled below -110°C. Briefly walking into the pre-room first not only helps you to acclimatise but ensures that your 2 to 3 minutes inside the main-room is maintained constantly below -110°C.

Our Cryo Room induces a greater cooling effect by consistently cooling your ‘whole body’ including your head and neck. This is scientifically proven to be a significantly more effective treatment than using a Partial Body Cryotherapy Sauna (Tube/Cylindricial Chamber), which only cools your body from the neck down and exposes your head to ambient room temperature.

Furthermore, our Whole Body Cryo Room is multi-person system which allows for a maximum of 4 people at a time (e.g. yourself plus 3 friends). Whereas, a Cryo Sauna is single-person system.

This is supported by the following clinical study by Dr Hausswirth, et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

Scientifically, how does the Cryo Room achieve superior results?

The Whole Body Cryotherapy Room has been scientifically proven to achieve a:

• Significantly greater physiological response. In a clinical study, the treatment effectiveness of Whole Body Cryotherapy was supported by thermograms which revealed the skin temperature differences of participants that entered a walk-in chamber (room) which is consistently set to -110°C/ -166F (Group A) and those that used a cryo sauna (tube / cylinder) which briefly reaches -160°C /-256F (Group B).
• Larger stimulation of the Autonomic Nervous System as measured by biochemical markers in the blood (epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine).

This is supported by the following clinical study by Dr Hausswirth, et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

Scientifically, how does Whole Body Cryo work?

In 3 minutes, the cold air exposure dramatically lowers your skin surface temperature. This activates your autonomic nervous system, which has the important task of regulating the functions of your internal organs such as the heart, stomach and intestines. And, stimulates your body's natural fight­-or­-flight stress response. During this time, your body initially increases vasoconstriction to rapidly move your blood inwards to protect your internal organs and then significantly increases your blood flow by increasing vasodilation to circulate your blood throughout your body again.

Naturally, It's your body's innate response to adapt by triggering an array of physiological benefits. Therefore, it activates your sympathetic nervous system which instantly releases norepinephrine into your bloodstream and brain thus increasing anti-inflammatory factors. It also releases cold shock proteins in the brain, increases certain types of immune cells, decreases respiratory tract infections, increases mitochondria, increases the activation of very potent genetic antioxidant enzymes (i.e. glutathione) and triggers cold-induced thermogenesis.

Remember, not all stress is bad for you! The difference between a ‘good’ stressor and a ‘bad’ stressor is that at the right dose, you can bounce back from the ‘good’ more resilient than before. Your time in the Cryo Room is short thus the fight-or-flight response is a ‘good’ stress with hormetic benefits for your body. Good stress (also referred to as eustress) can include numerous activities from exercise to fasting, heat stress (e.g. sauna) and cold stress (e.g. Cryotherapy and ice-baths). These small dose ‘stressors’ have been proven to promote good health, energy and longevity. As for Whole Body Cryotherapy in particular, the list of hormetic benefits include improved brain function, sleep quality, immune function, metabolism, antioxidant activity, athletic performance, collagen production and reduced inflammation. Thus, your whole body will thank you for taking care of it with Cryotherapy.

Why is the session duration approx. 3 minutes?

3 minutes below -110°C has been scientifically proven to be the optimum cryotherapy treatment for your whole body – in order to achieve the most effective results in a safe and efficient manner. There is no further benefit gained from a longer duration than 3 minutes per session.

However, you may do a maximum of two cryo sessions in one day, at least 15 minutes apart.

This is supported by the following clinical study by Dr Hausswirth, et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

Why is the air temperature maintained below -110°C?

The air temperature in the Cryo Room is cooled to -110 degrees Celcuis, using electricity alone. The air is dry and therefore not painful like cold water immersion.

In accordance with the scientific research, our Cryo Room has been engineered to maintain constant air temperature below -110°C, throughout the total duration of your session. This protocol has been scientifically proven to provide the optimum cryotherapy treatment for your whole body – in order to achieve the most effective results in a safe and efficient manner.

This is supported by the following clinical study by Dr Hausswirth, et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072658

What is the Cryo experience like at Alchemy?

It feels like you're standing on top of a snowy mountain! The air is dry and therefore not painful like cold water immersion. Since our Cryo Room generates cold air using electricity (NOT liquid nitrogen) it is completely safe to breathe normally.

In addition, our Cryo Room is a spacious double room that you can comfortably walk around in. You will first walk into a pre-room (below -60°C) briefly before walking into the main-room (below -110°C) thus helping you to acclimatise. It is also a multi-person system which allows for a maximum of 4 people at a time (e.g. yourself plus 3 friends). And, you can listen to a song of your choice during your session.

The cold is temporary! Once you exit the Cryo Room, the body feels highly invigortated and naturally begins to warm-up quite quickly. However, you're welcome to enjoy some light cardiovascular movement (for approx. 10 minutes) on a bike located inside the change room.

What is the cryo session process?

Upon arrival we will provide you with a Cryo Kit (mask, mittens, ear muffs, socks and shoes) to wear during your session as well as a robe to wear while you’re waiting to enter the Cryo Room. You can change into your chosen minimal clothing in our change rooms and secure any belongings in one of the keypad lockers. You will have the option to select a song to listen to during your session. Please ensure that you have your choice ready for our team member. You will then enter the Cryo Room for a maximum of 3 minutes under our team member’s supervision.

Afterwards, you will have the option to do some light movement on our bikes to stimulate your blood flow. Though, the body begins to naturally warm-up quite quickly.

You will then be able to get on with your day! As the air in the Cryo Room is dry, there is no need to shower afterwards or re-apply make-up.

For more information, please visit: Your First Cryo

Is the Cryo Session Private?

Yes, the Cryo Room is in a closed off private area.

Only an Alchemy team member will be present to conduct your session.

What do I wear during the cryo session?

For best results, it is optimal to wear minimal clothing in order to expose your skin area to the cold air but please dress according to your own comfort level. Therefore, we recommend wearing your choice of the following:

• Swimwear (without metal)
• Underwear
• Sport shorts (with underwear)
• Bra
• Crop top / Sports bra

We will provide you with a Cryo Kit to take care of your extremities during your session – mask, mittens, ear muffs, socks and shoes.

If you did not make payment online, you will also need to bring a debit or credit card, as we DO NOT ACCEPT CASH.

How often may I cryo?

You may intially try a course of 5 to 10 sessions in close succession (either consecutive days or separated by 1-2 days, e.g. 3 per week). While the benefits can be experienced immediately, they can also be cumulative.

From then onwards, you may Cryo less frequently on a regular basis to maintain and optimise results (e.g. once every week or 2 weeks).

May I do multiple Cryo sessions in one day?

Yes, you may undertake a maximum of two cryotherapy sessions in one day, at least 15 minutes apart. Our team will assess when it is safe for you to have your second session.

May I combine my Cryo session with other sessions?

Yes, combining sessions can further enhance benefits. Recommended sequence:

1. HBOT
2. CRYO
3. ATP CHARGER
4. REBOOT

To book your combo, please select one service at a time and allow the following total duration for each session:

• HBOT: 1 hour
• CRYO: 10 minutes
• ATP CHARGER: 20 minutes
• REBOOT: 40 minutes

Should I exercise before or after cryo?

Whole Body Cryotherapy is great for recovery. However, we advise waiting at least an hour after exercise to ensure the exercise-induced inflammatory response is not interrupted.

Is there an age limit?

Yes, you must be at least 16 years old. Please note if you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or guardian sign a consent waiver in person prior to your session.

Are there any instances where Cryo is NOT allowed?

Whole Body Cryotherapy is NOT allowed if you are/have any of the following:

• Pregnant
• Heart conditions
• Previously had a heart attack
• A pacemaker
• Untreated high blood pressure
• Cancer
• Acute kidney diseases
• Unstable angina
• Raynaud's
• Open wounds or ulcers
• Cold or Flu Symptoms
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Under 16 years of age

If you are unsure if Whole Body Cryotherapy is suitable for you due to a medical condition, please consult your doctor.

In light of COVID-19, what important information should I note?

As your health and safety is of paramount importance to us, please note the following in preparation for your visit to Alchemy Cryotherapy Centre:

• We kindly request that if you're feeling unwell for any reason, have been travelling overseas in the past 14 days, or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past fortnight - that you don't visit our centre. Please contact us via phone or email to reschedule your appointment.
• Bookings are essential as we're practicing physical distancing and limiting the number of clients visiting our centre, at any given time.
• You must wear a fitted face mask that covers both your nose and mouth when visiting our centre, as per the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer. Our team will also be wearing elevated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
• You'll find sanitisation bays in our centre. We kindly request that you sanitise your hands upon entry, and also practice regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette during your visit.
• We've advanced our sterilisation and sanitisation practices.
• In addition to our own extensive health and safety training, our team has also completed the Australian Government's ‘Infection Control Training - COVID 19’.