Cryotherapy is a broad term that covers a range of treatments using cold temperatures. These therapies can range from using ice packs and cold compresses for muscle injuries to applying liquid nitrogen to treat cancer.

In the case of cancer, cryotherapy involves applying extremely cold temperatures to areas of the body with cancerous cells. These cells are frozen and then die. This process is also called cryosurgery or cryoablation.

Doctors may recommend cryotherapy to treat certain cancers and tumors, including:

skin cancers
retinoblastoma
irregular cell changes in the cervix
early stage prostate cancer
liver cancer
bone cancer
non-small cell lung cancer

This article covers the different applications of cryotherapy, what you may need to do to prepare for it, and what the risks and benefits are.

Preparation

A local cryotherapy spray being applied on a person's knee. — robertprzybyszax/Getty Images

In the case of minor cryotherapy procedures, such as cold compresses and ice pack applications, there is often no need for specific preparation.

In the case of medical cryotherapy procedures, however, some preparation may be necessary.

Depending on the condition, you can take certain steps to prepare before undergoing cryotherapy. With some conditions, such as skin cancer, there is no need for any special preparation before cryotherapy.

But in general, if you’re undergoing cryosurgery, you can do the following to prepare:

Clean your skin of any makeup, lotion, or cream.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
If you get whole-body cryotherapy, consider wearing gloves and socks to protect your limbs from frostbite.
If cryotherapy aims to treat prostate cancer, you may need to fast beforehand.

What does the procedure involve

To treat cancer, cryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze cancerous cells. This procedure uses liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to freeze the affected area.

Cryotherapy usually takes place in a hospital or clinic or at your doctor’s office. Depending on the area and condition that cryotherapy is used to treat, you may need to receive a local or general anesthetic.

Internal cryotherapy involves imaging tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound.

For skin cancer and lesions, doctors will apply short freezes that last a matter of seconds. For atypical cells in the cervix, the procedure can last about 10 minutes, and cryotherapy for lung cancer takes about 30 minutes, according to the group Cancer Research UK.

Recovery

Recovery from cryotherapy begins almost immediately and can last 2–6 weeks, depending on the treatment area. It is important to keep any skin sores clean and dry. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help treat discomfort.

If you have cryotherapy to treat irregular cells in the cervix, you can expect to experience period-like cramps and spotting for up to 4 weeks.

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What are the benefits of cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy can effectively destroy cancerous cells and carries fewer potential side effects than some other cancer treatments.

For example, a 2023 study suggests that cryotherapy is an effective, low risk treatment option in early stage prostate cancer. Research from 2003 also notes that cryotherapy can be effective in up to 89.5% of cervical cancer cases where doctors recommended the treatment.

Apart from being a treatment for different types of cancer and tumors, cryotherapy can also help treat:

inflammation
muscle pain
chronic pain
anxiety
depression
dementia
migraine

Can cryotherapy help with migraine?

Cold therapy can help address symptoms of migraine. In a 2013 study, participants reported that applying a cold neck wrap at the start of a migraine episode significantly reduced the pain level.

A study from 2020 among students suggested that migraine and tension headache symptoms improved after cryotherapy in the form of ice compresses. The students reported relaxation, alertness, and fewer headaches after the therapy.

What are the risks of cryotherapy?

Cryosurgery carries certain risks and side effects. The adverse effects depend on the area of treatment.

Some of the adverse effects of cryotherapy include:

numbness
skin irritation
tingling
swelling
infection

People who have diabetes, are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or have heart conditions should not try cryotherapy. If you’re considering this treatment, please talk with your doctor first.

Summary

Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses extreme cold to freeze cancerous cells and kill them.

The procedure, also known as cryosurgery and cryoablation, can treat different types of cancer, such as skin, liver, bone, and prostate.

Cryotherapy can also help treat other conditions, including migraine, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and muscle pain.

The procedure can have some side effects, like numbness and tingling. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart conditions and pregnant people should not try cryotherapy.

Talk with your doctor first about your specific condition. They can advise you on whether cryotherapy is an appropriate treatment.

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