Cold therapy, also known as whole-body cryotherapy, involves exposing the body to extreme
temperatures for short periods of time. More research is needed, but plenty of anecdotal evidence shows that it helps reduce pain and speeds muscle healing. It also has a relaxing effect and can help with mood disorders and anxiety. It may even have a role to play in Alzheimer’s prevention.
Cryotherapy’s benefits have led to it being mooted as an infertility treatment.
At Yinova, we advise against it, and here’s why…
I often tell my patients, “Whole people get pregnant!” By that, I mean we are more than our reproductive systems, and conception involves every aspect of a person’s health and well-being and the environment in which they live.
Chinese medicine places great importance on living harmoniously with the natural environment and seasons. Cryotherapy, an artificial and intense application of cold, goes against the natural warmth that the body seeks, especially when someone is preparing to conceive.
Creating a new life and nurturing a fetus involves a complex balance of yin and yang. Yin, in this case, refers to all the body’s receptive, aware, nurturing, cooling, and moistening functions. On the other hand, Yang describes the body’s active, transformational, and warming functions. Bodies are adept at handling change because they are both aware (yin) and can transform in response to new information (yang).
As you can imagine, this is a delicate balance, especially when addressing conception and pregnancy.
You’ll often hear us talk about warming the uterus. We use moxibustion, heat lamps, or hot packs to promote yang energy and its transformational qualities to prepare a receptive nest for a developing embryo. A trained practitioner knows how to do this without upsetting the delicate balance of yin and yang—no overheating or extreme cooling.
As we gently warm your abdomen, we promote the qi flow. Qi describes the coherent systems of communication your body uses to coordinate, synchronize, and support change. It’s a form of intelligence, albeit one you never have to think about—a kind of unconscious consciousness that is always at work, quietly orchestrating the many transformations that occur as your body faces different challenges. For conception to occur, qi and blood must flow freely to the reproductive organs. Cryotherapy constricts blood vessels, temporarily reducing blood and qi circulation, which, over time, creates long-term stagnation that can be a barrier to successful conception.
While cryotherapy may offer certain health benefits, according to Chinese medicine, it is not recommended for women who are trying to conceive. As practitioners, we value the maintenance of warmth, the free flow of Qi and blood, and living in harmony with nature’s rhythms—all essential for fertility and the creation of life.
So before you channel your inner Wim Hof and plunge yourself into icy water, beware of the potential impact on fertility, especially when viewed through the holistic lens of Chinese medicine.
