Spending three minutes in a small chamber at about -300 degrees Fahrenheit is not a place most people would want to be—unless you are undergoing cryotherapy.



Cryotherapy has exploded in popularity during the past few years leading to spas and specialty boutiques opening throughout the area to offer the treatment.



According to Certified Cryotherapy Technician Dayna Gunter with Sedo Cryo on North Carroll Avenue in Southlake, cryotherapy is not similar to an ice bath.



"Individuals are first dressed in socks, gloves and underwear," Gunter said. "They then step into the chamber, which fills with nitrogen gas."



"The cold tricks your body. It puts your brain into survival mode and pulls blood to your core. It's not a deep, penetrating cold, so your skin won't be cold to the touch afterwards."



According to Gunter, after the treatment is over, the body goes into recovery mode as it looks for injuries it thinks it sustained from being subjected to subzero temperatures.



"Your body can't tell the difference between old injuries and new ones, so the body will attempt to fix anything it finds. The treatment helps to reduce scar tissue and bruising," Gunter said. "It is great at reducing swelling and inflammation. This all works from the inside; it's all internal."