Being physically active helps you live longer and healthier, but the more active you are, the higher chance you have of sustaining an injury. In fact, 3.7 million sports-related injuries send people to the emergency room each year. To be able to perform at peak levels, whether as an elite athlete or simply someone who wants to be as active as possible, more and more people are turning to cryotherapy machines to relieve inflammation, pain, swelling, muscle spasms, and overuse injuries. These issues can keep you sidelined from daily life activities and contribute to a higher risk for osteoarthritis.
Cryotherapy machines quickly reduce a user&#;s body temperature to deliver all-over treatment that not only benefits specific targeted areas, but for many users also provides immediate relaxation after a session. With athletes and celebrities increasingly including cryotherapy in their wellness routines, cryotherapy at home, as well as in gyms, spas, salons, and doctor&#;s offices are gaining popularity.
In addition to whole-body cryosaunas, there are also smaller cryotherapy machines with handheld nozzles that apply cold air to an injured or inflamed area; these are called localized cryotherapy machines. To treat skin abnormalities, liquid nitrogen can be used to address skin tags, lesions, scars, and warts.
Depending on where you live and where you receive your treatment, sessions can cost between $40 and $100 each.
You can usually expect to start feeling the benefits of cryotherapy after three or four consecutive treatments. Continuing with one to three sessions per week will enable you to continue enjoying these benefits.
Depending on the features you choose, whole-body cryotherapy chambers cost an average of about $40,000, with lower-end models starting at around $34,000 and higher-end models costing $65,000 or more.
Localized cryotherapy is the application of extreme cold to a targeted area, usually to treat injuries or inflammation. Cold therapy stimulates oxygen-rich blood flow to tissues, muscles, and joints that are injured or overused, reducing inflammation, tension, and pain. Localized cryotherapy can also be used to improve the vitality and appearance of the skin.
Cryotherapy reduces musculoskeletal aches and pain from inflammation, decreases swelling, and lessens the occurrence of muscle spasms and overuse injuries. It can also rejuvenate damaged skin.
A handheld localized therapy machine costs about $10,000, and a cryosauna costs an average of about $40,000. If you paid $50 per session and went to 4 sessions per week, you&#;d spend $10,400 a year on cryotherapy. For people who regularly enjoy the benefits of cryotherapy, a home full-body or handheld machine is a cost-effective way to schedule regular treatments at times that are most convenient for you. In addition, a cryotherapy machine at home allows multiple family users to enjoy the benefits of cryotherapy too!
Although we are often referring to machines when we talk about cryotherapy, the actual definition of cryotherapy is the therapeutic use of cold. Smaller-scale devices like cold compression sleeves, cold compression therapy, ice baths, ice packs, and coolant sprays are great, budget-friendly options for people who are interested, but not ready for a full commitment. Cryotherapy can also be delivered via liquid nitrogen to freeze off warts and skin tags.
If you are suffering from inflammation, swelling, injuries, muscle tension, and spasms or pain, it&#;s more a question of whether you can afford not to take advantage of some kind of cryotherapy for relief. Cold therapy is a valuable tool to counteract aches and pains by numbing the area and increasing blood flow to relieve any pain. Easy ways to utilize cryotherapy at home include compression sleeves, cold blankets, ice packs, ice baths, and cooling wraps. If a cryotherapy machine is out of reach financially, there are less expensive ways to get the benefits of cold therapy.
Cryotherapy machines for home use deliver treatments that reduce aches and pains from inflammation and injury and decrease muscle tension. In addition to the physiological benefits of cryotherapy, one of the most significant benefits of cryotherapy at home is the ability to enjoy it whenever you want without having to make an appointment during business hours.
Although cryosauna chambers deliver holistic treatment and benefits, targeted cold therapy products for home use are viable alternatives. Handheld cryotherapy machines, compression sleeves, ice packs, and cooling wraps are examples of cold therapies that can be applied for relief in smaller areas of the body.
For anyone suffering from muscle spasms and pain,or joint disorders like arthritis, swelling, and inflammation, cold therapy is a recommended treatment choice. When daily life activities are limited or even halted because of pain and inflammation, cryotherapy can be the tool that helps you get back to living your life.
Since it&#;s most beneficial when used regularly, cryosauna use can get expensive at spas, salons, gyms, and medical offices. Having a machine at home will pay for itself with long-term regular use. Smaller cryotherapy devices designed for targeted use are great choices when a whole-body chamber isn&#;t an option, and provide relief through improvement in circulation, decreased swelling, and reduced pain
Thank you for your time in reading this article on cryotherapy! Visit Caregiver University for more information on cryotherapy machines, whole-body cryotherapy, localized cryotherapy, and cryosaunas and how to make the best purchasing decision to meet your needs.
Author:Amanda Lundberg, BSN, RN
Amanda is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in hospital, clinic, and healthcare management settings. Her primary focus has been collaborating with patients to manage disease processes. Aiming at continuing active lifestyles for her patients, Amanda has become an expert in adjunct therapies.
Amanda incorporates a holistic approach to heal the body from within. She has completed extensive research in remedial treatments using oxygen, as well as becoming a professional light therapy specialist. Her reparative ethos to health has sparked engaging conversations and teaching opportunities nationwide.
Amanda has taken her passion for articulating technical medical language and transitioned to freelance writing. She enjoys bringing a clinical voice to health and wellness brands.
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If you are looking into starting a cryo business, the cost of cryotherapy equipment will be essential for your budget planning. This article will help you discover the direct and indirect costs associated with purchasing a cryo machine. Additionally, it will go through possible ways to save your startup budget.
The price of cryoequipment depends on the type and configuration of a cryotherapy machine. Let&#;s take a brief look at what is available in the market.
Cryotherapy equipment is grouped based on design, cooling technology, treatment scope, and capacity.
Design: the difference between open-top and walk-in cryo cabins
Open-top machines, most frequently called cryosaunas, resemble a round-shaped vertical refrigerator without a top panel. In a cryosauna, a customer&#;s head looks out of the cabin while the rest of the body stays inside.
A walk-in cryo chamber is much like a small room with a glass door where a client gets a full-body treatment, including his head. Such machines can have one, two or three treatment rooms inside.
Cooling technology: nitrogen-fed versus electric cryotherapy machines
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In nitrogen-powered cryosaunas, the cabin is cooled by the extra-cold mixture of nitrogen and air supplied directly to the cabin. Nitrogen is fed from a special cryogenic tank which can be pressurized or non-pressurized.
Electric cryo chambers use heavy-duty heat exchangers and cooling agents to generate cold. These machines usually take up much more floor space than cryosaunas. Electric cryo chambers are considered to be generally safer for not using liquid nitrogen. Still, with due care, the risks related to nitrogen cryosaunas can be reduced to a minimum.
Hybrid cryo chambers produce cold by pumping liquid nitrogen through a closed cooling loop. Such cryogenic chambers have breathable air inside. These machines are usually more compact than electric-powered ones but allow full-body treatment (including the head).
Uneven cooling from top to bottom is a frequent issue with all walk-in cryo chambers. That&#;s why Cryomed has created IceChill cryotherapy cabin with a cooler installed on the ceiling. As cold air is heavier than warm, cooling the air from the top balances the temperature distribution and delivers the best treatment results. For a more detailed comparison between nitrogen-fed and electric cryotherapy machines, read the relevant FAQ.
Treatment scope: whole-body or localized cryogenic machines
Apart from whole-body cryotherapy machines, producing a systemic effect on the body, there are devices designed to treat individual body parts with a stream of cold nitrogen for enhanced local effect. These are widely used in aesthetic, fitness, and healthcare applications.
You can find more about local cryotherapy devices in our &#;Cryotherapy in Beauty&#; article.
Capacity: group or individual cryotherapy machines
Nitrogen-powered cryosaunas are always individual, as they cannot accommodate more than one person at a time. Electric and hybrid chambers may be individual and group (up to 4 persons in one treatment room). Logically, group cryo chambers are the best choice for businesses with steadily high customer flow.
From an engineering point of view, cryosaunas running on liquid nitrogen are less complex than electric cryo-machines. In addition, the components have a lower price. So cryosaunas are more affordable. The price tag for nitrogen cryogenic machines may vary from &#;20,000 to &#;70,000.
Electric cryo chambers use more sophisticated technology and are rather costly, with the starting price around &#;65,000 and the breathtaking &#;270,000 at the high end.
The latest variation of cryogenic machines, hybrid cryo chambers, take the middle ground between nitrogen and electric options. Their price ranges from about &#;60,000 to &#;120,000.
Local cryotherapy devices are much more compact than whole-body machines. They are mobile and do not require complex engineering solutions. The cost of such machines drifts from &#;4,000 to &#;16,000.
When you buy a new cryo machine locally, your buying price usually includes delivery to your place, assembly and onsite training.
Delivery expenses are directly linked to the machine packing size, distance, and mode of transportation. Sea transportation, where applicable, is generally cheaper than air or truck delivery. However, it is the most time-consuming shipping method.
However, your costs do not end there. Owning a cryosauna or a cryochamber implies operational expenses, maintenance costs, and financing rates (if any).
Your running costs depend on the type of machine, operator&#;s wages, number of daily treatments and their scheduling, cost of expendables, and availability of service providers near you.
With nitrogen-powered machines, you should always have a stock of liquid nitrogen. It&#;s essential to find a reliable nitrogen provider near your location. Fortunately, Cryomed has put together data on liquid nitrogen providers worldwide, so you can always ask our sales department for assistance.
Some locations have little to no liquid nitrogen suppliers. In this case, you can opt for buying a liquid nitrogen generator. When needed, Cryomed&#;s team will gladly connect you with the manufacturers of such generators and advise on the best choice. Such devices may have rather high price tags, but make your business more independent.
Nitrogen-fed cryo machines consume 2.5 to 4 liters of liquid nitrogen per 3-minute session. It depends on the technology used, room temperature, and session temperature. Add 2.5 to 3.5 liters for precooling and get a full-cycle cryosession cost of about 5 &#; 7 liters of liquid nitrogen. Scheduling sessions back-to-back cuts nitrogen consumption for pre-cooling to a minimum. For hybrid cryochambers, the nitrogen flow rate can be close to nitrogen cryosaunas (starting from 5 liters per 3-minute session).
With electric cryo chambers, power consumption is a crucial parameter as these machines may use from 7 kW to 17 kW, depending on the configuration. In addition, electric cryo machines need from 2 to 4 hours for pre-cooling. In contrast, power consumption by nitrogen cryosaunas is comparable to an ordinary household device (1.5 kW maximum). Moreover, they require only 3 to 5 minutes to be ready for a session.
Power consumption by hybrid cryotherapy machines is minimal (for example, Cryomed&#;s IceChill consumes as low as 0.5 kW).
Maintenance and repair costs are higher with electric cryo chambers. Spare parts for these machines are more expensive. Moreover, they require mandatory yearly maintenance by the manufacturer with a price tag between &#;3,000 and 5,000.
Nitrogen and hybrid cryo machines do not need yearly maintenance and have relatively low-cost spares for replacement. Thanks to WiFi/LAN Internet connection, cryosaunas allow distant diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Buying equipment, especially new, in most cases, digs deep into your pocket. Let us look at the alternatives to paying a lump sum upfront.
If you&#;re on a budget, you still have various options.
As a first step, the best thing to do is to ask for consultation from a cryotherapy equipment provider. Otherwise, you risk overlooking a viable option a competent professional can easily point out. For example, a stripped-down model of a cryotherapy machine may have a more reasonable price and still perform perfectly well.
If you haven&#;t found a viable option for purchase, you may decide on renting or leasing a cryo machine. Rent is better if you need a cryosauna for a short time for a specific project. Monthly rent does not go toward the purchase price, even if you decide to buy the machine at the end of the rent period. A lease usually implies a lengthier time, 12 or 24 months. At the end of the lease, the cryotherapy equipment becomes your property, as all monthly installments go toward the purchase price.
You may also apply for financing from a bank. The financing cost will depend on the equipment price tag, the interest rate, and the credit period. While choosing between leasing and bank credit, thoroughly compare the final cost of both options.
Buying used equipment could be a good idea as well. With a wide variety of used cryogenic machines on sale, you can save up to 30% on an initial price. Consider the seller&#;s reputation to ensure the cryotherapy machine is in good working condition. Remember to check for warranty, maintenance and repair options, especially for older models which can be out of production.
A refurbished cryo machine can be a safer bet as it usually comes with a warranty. In addition, it is no problem ordering replacement parts for such equipment in case of need.
If you&#;re looking for an option that would allow entering the cryobusiness with minimum investments and operation costs, consider buying a localized cryotherapy machine. Such device comes with numerous benefits:
In any case, the cryotherapy business is not only about buying a machine. Pay attention to what is included in your package deal. What kind of training is provided, if any? Does operator training cover any cryotherapy basics? What kind of marketing materials are available apart from photos? Extensive maintenance and servicing support is a huge benefit, too. The availability of timely assistance will help you keep your business afloat and ensure the best treatment experience for your clients.
Both nitrogen and electrical cryotherapy equipment has its benefits and drawbacks. When deciding which to use, factors such as budget, location, local regulations, and cost of consumables must be considered. Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific needs of the project. Read more here and here.
Nitrogen is safe and convenient for use due to its non-toxic and non-explosive nature. Liquid nitrogen is highly available and affordable but requires special storage conditions. Certain safety measures should be taken while handling and using liquid nitrogen. Read more here.
Cryotherapy equipment does not require a medical license or doctor&#;s oversight. However, due to the risks involved, operators should know the treatment protocols and safety guidelines. Also, informed consent forms are strongly recommended for all customers before the first session. Read more here.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Electric Cryotherapy Chamber. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.