Albuquerque locals are getting the chance to cool off in a healthy new way at the brand new US Cryotherapy location in town. 

By ABQ Live writer Nichole Harwood 

US Cryotherapy is gearing up to reopen their doors to the public, encouraging all to learn about the benefits of cryotherapy and the importance of a healthy immune system.

Their whole body cryotherapy chamber stimulates cold shock, which starts the body’s self-repair process; resulting in faster recovery, anti-inflammation, pain management, enhanced mood, stress, skin, and sleep. Louis Garcia, the local franchise owner in Albuquerque said the results can be life-changing. 

Garcia said he uses the chamber twice a day and is always quick to tell people about his experience. For years after receiving two neck surgeries Garcia struggled with chronic neck pain. During this time, living with the pain was a way of life for him until his first session in the cryotherapy chamber. Within one minute of being in the chamber Garcia felt a release from the pain. 

“It was life-changing to me because I hadn’t had that type of relief with surgery or prescriptions,” Garcia said. “For someone living with chronic pain, to have immediate release, it was truly emotional to me because I had been living with it for so long.” 

The life-changing experience spurred Garcia to bring US Cryotherapy to Albuquerque, now as a franchise owner Garcia encourages people from all walks of life to try cryotherapy.

Every customer’s story stands out. One of Garcia’s first customers, before beginning cryotherapy, had not been able to ride his horse in months. After his first session, Garcia said his customer was so excited by the relief he felt that he rode his horse that very evening.  

Garcia was initially nervous by his customer’s enthusiasm, but after the first ride he continued to return every single day, strengthening his body while continuing to pursue his passion for riding. 

Representative of US Cryotherapy’s corporate office, Meagan Darnall, said Garcia’s story is not uncommon and after one session many individuals felt a decrease in pain in areas chronic pain had lived for years. 

“In its simplest form, cryotherapy is the use of cold as a therapy tool,” Darnall said. “We do it on a scale of using sub-zero cold air to help stimulate the body to heal itself.” 

US Cryotherapy opened as a company in 2011, quickly establishing itself from other companies in the field by utilizing a cryotherapy process that offers nitrogen-free, walk-in systems, thereby exposing the entire body to sub-zero temperatures without exposing the body to harmful gases. In addition the chambers are U.S. made, making them stand out among the rest. 

Darnell suffers from lower back pain and she said regular sessions keep inflammation down. 

“We’ve seen with regular use in our centers that treatment triggers a response in the body that actually helps build immunity,” she said. 

Beyond the benefits to individuals with chronic pain, Darnell emphasizes there is a variety of overall benefits that can lend to a healthier lifestyle. These benefits include healthier skin and lower stress levels. 

“I like to use it in the afternoon for my second cup of coffee so that I get an energy boost,” Darnell said. “If I go to the chamber I usually get a boost of energy that gets me through the rest of the long day.”  

Garcia said one of the biggest benefits he has received from the cryotherapy chamber is actually his quality of sleep. 

“I think many people don’t realize the importance of sleep. It’s much more of a quality versus quantity so I get a great quality sleep each night and I get refreshed, and that’s just resetting my body for the next day,” Garcia said. 

The cryotherapy chamber itself is the largest in the state and can accommodate up to four people at one time. Beyond the chamber itself, US Cryotherapy provides different treatments including localized cryotherapy, NormaTec compression, and Red Light Therapy.

With first time sessions only costing $45 dollars, Garcia encourages individuals to bring a buddy to experience cryotherapy for the first time. 

“Everyone who comes in is normally nervous to try it and they should be because they’ve never tried anything like this. But once they’ve done it they’re like ‘that was incredible I feel amazing’,” Garcia said.