Local Cryotherapy

Local cryotherapy at Colliery Recovery applies a directed stream of liquid nitrogen vapour to a specific body area, rapidly cooling the tissue to reduce swelling, calm inflammation, and relieve pain. The studio uses it routinely as part of rehabilitation after sports overload, for joint, muscle and tendon complaints, post-operative swelling, and minor injuries, as well as for skin-focused applications such as supporting acne-prone skin and the appearance of scars and stretch marks. At 150 Kč per application it is one of the most accessible recovery tools on the menu, and is frequently stacked with massage, shockwave or physiotherapy in a single recovery visit.

Cold has been used therapeutically for centuries — ice baths, snow and cold compresses all exploit the body's strong physiological response to rapid cooling. Local cryotherapy modernises this principle: instead of immersing the whole body, a therapist directs a controlled stream of liquid nitrogen vapour at one targeted area for a few minutes, achieving an intense, precisely placed cooling effect without the discomfort of direct ice contact. **How it works:** Rapid surface cooling causes immediate vasoconstriction of local blood vessels, which limits swelling and slows inflammatory signalling in the treated tissue. As the area rewarms after the application, a reactive increase in circulation flushes the tissue with oxygenated blood — a pump-like effect associated with faster recovery of overloaded muscles, tendons and joints. The cold also temporarily slows nerve conduction, which is why pain relief is typically felt during and immediately after the session. **What Colliery Recovery uses it for:** - Recovery after intense training loads (the studio sits above a CrossFit gym, and local cryo is a staple of its athlete recovery protocols) - Joint, muscle and tendon complaints, including rheumatic and degenerative joint conditions - Post-operative states — may help reduce swelling and support healing - Minor acute injuries — sprains, contusions, overload reactions - Skin applications — the studio also uses cryotherapy in a dermatological context, where cold exposure is associated with calmer inflammatory skin processes (acne-prone skin) and is used to support the appearance of scars, stretch marks and cellulite **The session:** No special preparation is needed. The therapist exposes the target area and moves the nitrogen vapour stream over it for a short, controlled period while monitoring skin response. The application itself takes only a few minutes; with consultation and positioning, plan around 15 minutes. The sensation is an intense but tolerable cold; the skin reddens briefly as circulation rebounds. **Frequency:** For rehabilitation purposes, repeated applications across a training or treatment week are common. The team will recommend a cadence based on the issue being addressed — acute swelling responds to short, frequent applications, while chronic complaints are typically treated as part of a broader physiotherapy plan. **Who should avoid it:** People with cold intolerance or cold-induced urticaria, severe circulatory disorders, or open wounds in the treatment area should discuss suitability first. The therapist screens for contraindications before the first application.