Does cryotherapy/cold therapy help with weight loss?

The regular use of a cold chamber is said to burn up to 800 kilocalories, tighten the tissue, reduce fat pads and help with weight loss. Since the circulation is strongly stimulated within 3 minutes, the internal body temperature of 37 degrees is to be maintained and the blood circulation is driven, an effect similar to endurance training can be achieved. However, there is a lack of sufficient scientific evidence for the fat and calorie burning effect of the cold chamber.

The metabolic stimulation provided by cold therapy can be used as a support in a sports and nutrition program, increasing well-being and energy reserves, but the cold chamber alone is not a miracle cure for weight loss. Sport and a balanced diet should be the cornerstones of long-term and healthy weight loss. Cold chambers, just like saunas, can cause a short-term increase in metabolic turnover, but this does not so much train the cardiovascular system adequately, but rather puts strain on the vascular system.

Costs – Does the health insurance pay for it?

The costs for the visit of a cold chamber amount to 18- 20€ depending upon mechanism, usually also an ambulatory application is possible. As a rule, patients pay the costs themselves. Some health insurances cover the costs for the visit of the cold chamber for 10-15 applications, but this depends on the respective health insurance and the clinical picture of the affected person.

In the case of rheumatic diseases, fibromyalgia and similar clinical pictures, there is a chance that the health insurance company will cover the costs. The affected person should clarify this beforehand with the attending physician, who will issue a prescription for cold therapy, and should submit an application for cost absorption to the health insurance company. The treatment must take place at a licensed contract physician or in a hospital.

Cold therapy in physiotherapy – how is it implemented?

Cold therapy can be applied in various ways in physiotherapy to support, prepare or follow up the treatment and increase its effect. Usually an application of cold therapy lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is part of the so-called physical therapy. Among other things, ice can be applied in the form of an ice lollipop, which is rubbed over the skin in circular movements until a clear reddening of the skin becomes apparent.

Other possibilities of application are ice packs, crushed ice, or a bath of arms or legs in ice water. Cold sprays or cold curd wraps for injuries and after operations are also part of cold therapy in physiotherapy. Furthermore, cold and warm Kneipp casts or a stay in a cold chamber are methods that belong to cold therapy in the context of physiotherapeutic treatment. With cold therapy, pain can be relieved, the blood circulation stimulated, muscle tensions released, inflammations damped and swellings reduced.