Has anyone tried cryotherapy for PMR? I’d be interested to know as it’s supposed to be reduce inflammation (as well as other benefits) .
I am embedded in the football world and the physio of a club suggested it to me saying he thought it might help.
Any thoughts?
A quick search throws up ‘fors and againsts’. The ‘fors’ are mainly from businesses so you need to look at the other side of the coin to weigh things up.
I haven’t read of anyone here having cryotherapy for PMR (I had it years ago to freeze a wart on my hand 🙂) and the usual advice is to see a physio who is knowledgable in PMR.
Thanks for your reply. I’ve been offered free sessions so I can thankfully ignore the commercial persuasion. I’m up for giving anything a go really.
I only know one person who has had it for PMR - an English lady living in Germany who was sent by her rheumy for a couple of weeks rehab for rheumatology. It is part of their medical system - in fact from here I am entitled to a 3 week session in a German hospital offering the service but I haven't made it there yet for various reasons. They are more aimed at arthritis and rehab after joint replacement so cryotherapy is one of their treatments.
She had several sessions - she felt they weren't too well orientated on PMR which is far more muscles than joints. Anyway, at the end of her "Kur" as they often call it, she felt she went home worse than she had arrived there and spent a lot of time in bed for the next 2 weeks recovering. She was sure the cryotherapy in the cold chamber had contributed! It probably depends on the person - personally I find getting cold makes me much stiffer but that is definitely longer than a cryotherapy session which is typically 2-4 mins. In contrast, a few years ago I got very chilled on a foggy very cold morning doing admin stuff in town and was out for half an hour or so, In the end I could barely make it to the train and back home and did flare afterwards.
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
If you have an offer of free sessions I think I would TRY it and reassess after the first session.
And just found this
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Effects of Whole-Body Cryostimulation on Pain Management and Disease Activity in Active Rheumatic Polymyalgia: A Case-Report
Very interesting and to my untrained brain appears to be a thorough study with measured outcomes. Shame that only one patient was involved.
Sounds sensible. It would be a shame not to try, it might turn out to be really helpful.
You know, now that you mention this, I believe this is what was the trigger for that major flare I had in late 2020-early 2021. Went to an outdoors choir session, which turned out to be in a really windy place, it was cold wind, I'd have been okay had I known and dressed in a winter coat (it wasn't winter, everything was still green) but although I walked around a bit to keep warm, it was such a relief to get into my car which had been parked in the sun. And later I was stiff and had a lot of neck trouble, but even so it took me several months ❗ to realize it was a PMR flare. The only time cold has helped me was with the knees. Never anything else! I belive Kendrew has tried cold, but not cryotherapy?
Having seen a programme on TV on this recently, it seems you have to be young and fit to stand it in the first place!!
Probably applies for most treatments!!!!
Could be hard on the heart?
I have been taking Ice Baths since Jan.. went in the lake..through the ice in the winter but ice baths in the summer. and I FEEL better. but then I am a huge placebo person. !
Well that’s a large part of the battle isn’t it. If you feel better either mentally or physically it helps you on your way to deal with the negatives. Thanks so much for replying
I know nothing of cryotherapy, but I swim regularly. Luckily, I don't have the problems with lifting my arms that other people with PMR suffer, but if I did, I think I would use the pool to walk up and down instead of swimming. No doubt in my mind that I benefit from the exercise because of the improvement in my circulation to sore muscles, but I have pondered how much of the benefit also might come from being immersed in cold (but not too cold) water. It must have some anti inflammatory effect. Certainly, I am at my most comfortable in the pool. I am totally free of pain and stiffness and even though I have suffered dreadfully with fatigue over the last months, my energy levels are normal in the pool. I feel so much better after a swim, even if I am tired out and need to nap for an hour or two after. I still think it is helping me. I suppose that where I am heading with this is that if cryotherapy doesn't work out for any reason, you could try whatever kind of exercise you find comfortable in the pool to see if is helpful.
That’s a very timely reply, thank you. I’m just going along to join my local leisure centre this week. They have a lovely pool as I too enjoy the benefits of being weightless, plus they have an exercise room specifically for people with any issue that means they find structured exercise difficult.
That sounds good. Hope you can find something that is helpful. I think the benefits of being in the water for people with disabilities often gets overlooked. Paradoxically, after mentioning the cold water, I also enjoy a nice sauna which is the opposite extreme I know, but it does take a lot of the tension out of my muscles. On really bad days, I've popped round to the gym for a sauna and a coffee and that was all. 
Did I forget my dose??
Vit D test results
Rheumy appointment
Are you entitled to a Blue Badge for the car with PMR?
