hours to days. “With
multiple visits over a
period of time, many
people live pain-free
lives.”
He tells me to
call Dr. Ronald
Lederman, an ortho-
Dr. Ronald
pedic surgeon from
Lederman in
West Bloomfield and
the chamber
a fellow Temple Israel
member, was in a
head-on collision more than two years
ago.
Since the accident, Lederman has
developed neck, low back and shoulder
pain as well as progressive arthritis.
“After the first two treatments, I felt a
definite improvement,” Lederman said.
“I’m convinced there’s something to it.
When you live in chronic pain and find
something that helps, it’s a godsend.
“Sometimes you can’t fix things sur-
gically,” he said. “I can see myself incor-
porating cryotherapy into my treatment
algorithm for knee and joint pain.”
Cogan has also seen improvements
for clients with autoimmune diseases,
like inflammatory bowel, clients with
migraine headaches and clients with
skin conditions, like eczema.
“I use it to reduce pain and for
rehab,” Cogan said. “One of the best
kickers was that I lost weight, about 7
or 8 pounds in the first six weeks.”
Cogan was getting about three treat-
ments a week. “The cold,” he says,
“increases your metabolism. After a
treatment, you’ll burn an extra 500-800
calories over the day.
“You ready?” he asked.
I was as ready as I’d ever be.

INTO THE DEEP FREEZE
Before I could get started, I had to take
a lengthy medical history and get my
blood pressure taken. Cryotherapy
is not recommended for pregnant
women, those with uncontrolled high
blood pressure, severe heart disease or
active cancer.
While filling out
my history, I chatted
with another client
there to get a treat-
ment. Mark Lusky of
West Bloomfield, who
works in commercial
real estate, began
receiving treatments
Mark Lusky
in
January.
gets a cryother-
“As
I’m getting
apy treatment.
older,” he said, “I get
sore after working
out. I did some research and started
cryotherapy. I find that when I come
here after a workout, I feel better versus
being sore for a couple of days. I get my
best workouts if I come here at the end

Dr. Sol Cogan by the cryotherapy
chamber

of the day and then go to the gym. I’m
more energetic. I also lost weight with-
out changing my diet or my workout,
about 6 or 7 pounds. You just get the
energy from being there.”
The results sound good although the
process itself sounds less than promis-
ing. I think of the Empire Strikes Back
and hear Darth Vader’s voice in my
head before Han Solo is deep frozen in
carbonite: “There should be no perma-
nent damage.”
I was ushered into a room and given
thick woolen socks, slippers and a pair
of mittens. I was told to strip to my
skivvies and step into the chamber,
then ring a bell.
I did as I was told and entered the
chamber, which looks like a standup
tanning booth except your head is out.
I rang the bell and Cogan came in to
keep me company as the chamber filled
with nitrogen vapor and quickly cooled
to -260 degrees.
“We always have someone in the
room with clients while they’re getting
a treatment,” Cogan said. “No one is
ever alone.”
“Well, Calrissian, did he survive?”
Yes, I’m happy to say the three min-
utes passed fairly quickly without any
shivering although the backs of my
legs were starting to tingle and sting
by the end of the treatment. It is cold!
Whatever you think cold is, double it
or more.
I did feel rejuvenated, and I was
smiling as I got dressed to leave.

*

CryoWellness USA, 24100 Drake Road, Suite D,
Farmington, (248) 615-0080; cryowellnessusa.com.
Visits are $75 a piece, with packages available to
bring the cost down to under $20. Monthly mem-
bership is $325 with unlimited treatments.

2108420

June 30 • 2016

37

