How Cryotherapy Targets Pain and Supercharges Recovery

The Chill That Heals

Whether you’re crushing HIIT classes, hunched over a desk, parenting toddlers, or simply feeling the effects of aging joints, discomfort has a way of creeping in and overstaying its welcome.

If you’ve tried it all (stretching, foam rolling, heating pads, ibuprofen), you might feel like your only option is to “live with it.” But you don’t have to.

Let’s introduce a smart, modern solution that’s cooler than anything you’ve tried before: cryotherapy.

At Slick Rock Tanning & Spa, we’re here not just to help you look radiant but to help you feel better in your body. As wellness experts, our job is to guide you toward solutions that work. And for pain relief and muscle recovery? Cryo belongs on your radar.

What Is Cryotherapy?

In the simplest terms, cryotherapy is a therapeutic treatment that uses cold temperatures to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing. Think of it as a high-tech, highly-targeted upgrade from the bag of frozen peas you once duct-taped to your knee.

There are different types of cryotherapy, from whole-body chambers to localized treatments, and they’re all designed to do the same thing: decrease inflammation, increase circulation, and support the body’s natural recovery processes.

“Applying cold to an injury can reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms by slowing down blood flow and nerve activity in the affected area,” notes the Cleveland Clinic.

But cryotherapy doesn’t just help with injury. It’s increasingly being used for:

• Post-workout recovery

• Chronic pain relief (hello, lower back and neck!)

• Stress and tension in muscles

• Headaches and migraines

• Joint stiffness from arthritis or aging

• Everyday muscle fatigue

Why Cryo? It's All About Pain Points

Pain point: “I work out regularly, but I’m constantly sore.”

Whether you're a weekend warrior or training for your next PR, muscle recovery is the name of the game. Cryotherapy helps by:

• Reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

• Supporting faster muscle regeneration

• Increasing blood flow after the cold exposure ends, flushing out metabolic waste

According to Harvard Health Publishing, cold therapy is especially effective immediately following exercise to help with soreness and inflammation.

Pain point: “My neck and upper back are always tight from sitting.”

Posture-related tension is the modern epidemic. Our cervical spine (neck area) and upper back carry stress like champs (until they don’t).

Cryotherapy provides targeted relief for this region, relaxing tight muscles, improving mobility, and even helping with tech-neck-induced headaches.

At Slick Rock, our Cryo+ Lounge was specifically designed to address the head, cervical spine, upper back, and shoulders with adjustable intensity and a contrast option (cold-to-warm) for soothing deep tension.

Pain point: “My lower back constantly aches, even if I haven’t done anything.”

Pain doesn’t always come with a dramatic backstory. Sometimes it just shows up and sticks around. Cryotherapy works by numbing nerve endings and reducing inflammation at the source, helping you feel better without relying on pills or endless stretching routines.

With targeted zones for the lower back, our Cryo+ Lounge can help you gently reset and recover in as little as 15 minutes.

Pain point: “My legs feel heavy and tight—especially my calves and hamstrings.”

Whether from leg day, long days on your feet, or just general fatigue, tension in the glutes, hamstrings, and calves can make even a short walk feel like a trek.

Our Cryo+ Lounge includes lower leg compression to help improve circulation and reduce muscle fatigue. This isn’t just about short-term relief—it’s about long-term recovery and better performance in your daily life.

The Science Behind the Chill

So what’s really going on in your body when it’s exposed to cold therapy? Here’s the breakdown:

Reduced Inflammation

Cold exposure causes blood vessels to constrict, which limits blood flow to inflamed areas. Once the cold is removed, blood vessels reopen, flushing out toxins and speeding up healing.

Pain Reduction

Cold slows down nerve transmission, dulling pain signals sent to your brain. It also reduces muscle spasms, which can be a major contributor to chronic pain.

Boosted Circulation

The contrast between cold (vasoconstriction) and heat (vasodilation) acts like a pump for your circulatory system, reducing swelling and delivering oxygen-rich blood to tired muscles.

As noted by Healthline, cryotherapy may increase levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that helps reduce inflammation and supports recovery.

A Smarter Recovery: Introducing the Cryo+ Lounge

At Slick Rock Tanning & Spa, we believe in wellness that works. That means giving you access to state-of-the-art technology that fits into real life—and delivers real results.

The Cryo+ Lounge is our premium solution for targeted cryo and contrast therapy. Unlike full-body cryo chambers, which can be intense (and a little intimidating), our lounge is personalized, relaxing, and efficient.

What makes it different?

• Targeted muscle zones: Neck, upper back, lower back, glutes, hamstrings, calves

• Lower leg compression: For circulation support and muscle relief

• Adjustable intensity: You’re in control

• Cold + heat contrast feature: For optimal muscle recovery

• Auxiliary pad: To reach trouble spots other systems miss

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Athletic Training (as reported on Verywellhealth.com) examined contrast therapy using infrared spectroscopy and confirmed that it promotes healing by increasing tissue oxygenation and reducing swelling/edema.

This isn’t just a tool for athletes. It’s for you... the everyday warrior who’s tired of the aches, ready to feel better, and looking for a smarter solution.

Who Should Consider Cryotherapy?

• Athletes and fitness lovers: Reduce soreness, improve muscle recovery

• Busy professionals: Soothe posture-related tension

• Parents: Carrying kids = constant tightness. Cryo helps.

• Older adults: Manage joint pain and stiffness naturally

• Wellness seekers: Add recovery to your self-care routine

Is Cryotherapy Safe?

For most people, cryotherapy is safe and well-tolerated. That said, individuals with certain circulatory issues, unmanaged hypertension, or severe sensitivities to cold should consult a medical provider first.

The beauty of the Cryo+ Lounge is its customizable, low-risk design. You’re not stepping into an extreme environment but reclining in a clean, modern space where you can relax, recover, and reset with the guidance of our expert Spa Consultants.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

We know trying something new can feel intimidating. So here’s what to expect:

1. Consultation with a Spa Consultant. We’ll talk through your goals, any current pain points, and recommend the best approach.

2. Personalized Setup. You’ll be comfortably seated in the Cryo+ Lounge, with targeted areas activated based on your needs.

3. Sit back, relax, and chill. Your session will last about 15–20 minutes. Many clients feel immediate relief while others feel the full benefits within 24 hours.

4. Next steps. We’ll help you determine how often to return based on your body’s needs and your lifestyle.

What Our Clients Think

“I went on a hike that turned out to be way tougher than I expected, and the aftermath hit hard—intense soreness, aching muscles, and sharp joint pain, especially in my knee with a torn meniscus. I stopped into Slick Rock for my usual red light therapy, and one of the Spa Consultants immediately noticed I wasn’t moving like myself. After I explained what happened, she walked me through the Cryo+ Lounge, showed me how it works, and set me up for a session. The results blew me away. Within a day, I was walking normally again and the pain had subsided, bringing fluid movement back to my daily routine. Now, I use it regularly. It’s helped with everything from migraines to general muscle tension. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for real, fast-acting relief.” –Dara Gibbs, Hayden, ID

Let’s Bring the Chill to Your Routine

You don’t have to live with pain, tension, or constant fatigue. Your body is doing its best so let’s give it the tools to thrive.

Cryotherapy isn’t a trend. It’s a science-backed, time-tested method of recovery that’s finally accessible, affordable, and easy to fit into your routine.

Whether you’re pushing your limits or just trying to get through your day without aching, the Cryo+ Lounge can help.

Stop by your nearest Slick Rock Tanning & Spa location and speak with one of our expert Spa Consultants.

We'll help you create a wellness plan that's customized for you, so you can feel good in your body again.