Cryotherapy Spa Opens in Tribeca, Where Healing Means Freezing

TRIBECA, NY — Tribeca this week is celebrating the opening of a cryotherapy spa, which is a rather unusual technique used to help injury recovery and repair soreness by basically dousing you in freezing temperatures.

The spa, called Kryogenesis, is pairing with New York Sports & Joints to open up shop at 110 Duane Street on Nov. 1.

Cryotherapy is a process where you go into a tank of freezing cold air for three minutes, hoping it will repair your muscles and give you energy.

The founder of Kryogenesis, Lance Mald, explained cryotherapy in an email to Patch:

For three minutes your body is surrounded by super cooled air (-256°F) that essentially tricks your brain into thinking you’re freezing. This triggers a body response in which blood is circulated away from your extremities and sent to your core’s vital organs in an effort to protect them. During this process, the blood gets super oxygenated - and when you step out of the chamber three minutes later, that blood rushes back to your extremities - flushing toxins, eliminating inflammation and soreness, stimulating collagen production and releasing endorphins. In most people this produces an energy rush that can last for several hours.

Some have said you have to step into the booth with gloves and socks to protect your extremities from getting frost-bitten.

Cryotherapy has garnered mixed reviews from doctors and researchers in terms of pain management and recovery.

The new Tribeca shop will hold a "red carpet event" to introduce itself to the Tribeca community on Nov. 1, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Some local celebrities, including New York Giants players Jay Bromley, Kerry Wynn and Rob Thomas, will be there.

If being exposed to extremely freezing temperatures sounds scary, here are FAQs from the company's website.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Kryogenesis