Just as the weather begins to warm up, there’s a new way to keep your cool. Negative 264 degrees F cool, to be exact. NORDIC Cryotherapy is now open at Halo Studios in New Canaan, and will be one of only three cryotherapy centers in the tristate area and the first ever cryotherapy center in Fairfield County.
Whole body cryotherapy, which means “cold treatment,” is a very brief procedure (the entire treatment is only three minutes) that exposes the body to temperatures of about minus 264 degrees F. Although it has been around since the ‘70s where it was used widely in Japan to treat a number of ailments, it has gained radical popularity in the West in recent years, especially among elite athletes as a more efficient way to soothe and repair sore muscles. It’s even covered by insurance in Europe, according to Dr. Marie O’Connor, NORDIC’s founder and Chief Executive Officer.
“It’s pretty new around here,” says Dr. O’Connor, who opened her first NORDIC Cryotherapy Center in Eastchester last year, “but people in other parts of the world and elite athletes have been benefiting from cryotherapy for some time. It’s a unique, highly efficient way to not only reduce inflammation in the body, but to provide extraordinary other benefits as well, like renewed energy, and better sleep.”
Dr. O’Connor DNP, MBA, RN, is a Registered Nurse in New York and Connecticut and received her Doctorate Degree in Nursing from Sacred Heart University, her Masters in Nursing Administration from Kaplan University, and her Masters in Business Administration from Mercy College. While working as a nurse at Stamford and White Plains Hospitals, she became curious after a patient repeatedly extolled the benefits of cryotherapy sessions he had experienced in New York City, and decided to try it for herself.
“I was hooked after my first session,” says O’Connor. “I had recently had a baby, and was not yet back to feeling like myself. After cryotherapy, I not only felt like my entire body’s reset button had been hit, but I felt an energy and kind of euphoria I had never experienced before. And this after only three minutes! I immediately set to researching the benefits of cryotherapy, and quickly knew I wanted to be able to offer it to people in this area. The closest cryotherapy option at that point was Manhattan! Besides, I wanted to be able to experience it again on a regular basis myself.”
NORDIC Cryotherapy at Halo will offer whole body cryotherapy, localized treatments, and CryoFacials (popular among the Hollywood set, especially before a red carpet event, according to Dr. O’Connor). Dr. O’Connor will provide a health screening for each client before any services can be performed, but cryotherapy is well tolerated by most. Halo Studios is happy to have NORDIC coming on board.
“We’re delighted that NORDIC is coming to Halo,” says Charlotte Zabrodsky, Halo Studios’ general manager. “Our goal at Halo Studios is to offer the best and latest in fitness, health and wellness options, all in one place, we want to be a one-stop wellness center. NORDIC Cryotherapy fits that objective, and gives us an opportunity to provide a truly unique source of wellness benefit to our clients.”
But what about that c-c-cold? “It’s not that bad,” Marie O’Connor says with a laugh. “It’s a dry cold, so it’s completely different than what you’re imagining. Most people are glad to come out after their two or three minutes, but when they experience the benefits, they can’t wait to get back in there.”
NORDIC Cryotherapy is open at Halo Studios at 45 Grove Street in New Canaan. To schedule an appointment at NORDIC’s new Halo Studios, New Canaan location in advance, email marie@nordiccryotherapy.com, call NORDIC’s Eastchester location at 914-771-9000, or download NORDIC’s free app. After March 6, call the New Canaan location directly at 203-503-8282. For more information visit NORDIC online.
ABOUT CRYOTHERAPY Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) uses liquid nitrogen vapors to lower the skin’s surface temperature through a process called thermogenesis which has been used for decades around the world. The cryosauna delivers the cool temperatures for three minutes. The skin reacts to the cold and sends messages to the brain that act as a stimulant to the regulatory functions of the body. Anti-inflammatory molecules as well as endorphins are sent throughout the body, causing one to feel more energetic almost immediately, an effect that lasts up to eight hours. Many users report not only reduced pain but also a better night’s sleep and even weight loss: cryotherapy burns calories at a rate of between 500-800 kcal per 3-minute session. Cryotherapy has been used for rheumatology, autoimmune disorders, neurology disorders, orthopedic conditions, sports medicine, joint pain, and athletic recovery. Its proven benefits include reduced inflammation, increased blood flow and weight loss, wrinkle reduction and stimulated collagen production with localized treatment.
ABOUT HALO STUDIOS Halo Studios is a fitness, health and wellness center located at 45 Grove Street in New Canaan, under the New Canaan Racquet Club. A unique center for mind, body and spirit with no annual membership requirements, Halo endeavors to offer one-stop wellness to the community and is home to a state-of-the-art fitness center and several studios featuring the best and latest in fitness, health and wellness options, as well as locker rooms, free parking, and NCRC Tennis upstairs. Halo is open 5:30 am - 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday; 5:30 am - 8 pm Friday; 8 am - 6 pm Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit Halo Studios at www.halostudios.com, or contact Halo at 203.594.9909, info@halostudios.com
