Handheld cryotherapy applicator releasing a fine cold vapor mist near a shoulder in dim blue-toned light

Targeted cold & cryo facial

Localized cryotherapy

Moderate evidence for short-term local analgesia; limited and mixed evidence for broader recovery, swelling, or cosmetic outcomes.

142

verified studios

124

cities

$25–$100

per session

sourced claims

Post-surgical/orthopedic recoverydental procedural painknee OA painmigraine (cryo neck wrap, short-term)

Find your protocol →Browse the directory

The science

Localized cryotherapy applies intense cold to one joint, muscle group, or cosmetic area using cold air, a cold pack, or a controlled applicator. The most defensible effect is short-term local numbing and comfort. Evidence for lasting recovery, inflammation, or cosmetic change is limited and depends on the device and target.

Post-surgical/orthopedic recovery.

How localized cryotherapy works

Local cooling slows sensory nerve conduction and constricts surface blood vessels. That can reduce pain perception and puffiness for a short period, but cooling depth falls quickly below the skin. Recent reviews of post-operative and musculoskeletal use find small, low-certainty, or outcome-specific benefits rather than broad recovery effects.

Research & screening contexts

Topics studied or relevant to safety screening—not diagnoses, medical advice, or promised outcomes.

Localized / acute musculoskeletal painPost-operative musculoskeletal recoveryAcute soft-tissue injury (sprain/strain)Knee OsteoarthritisFacial puffiness / reactive skin (cosmetic)

Wellness goals

Goal-based uses to discuss with studio staff after screening.

Localized pain reliefFaster perceived recovery after trainingReduced local swellingPost-workout comfortFacial de-puffing

The evidence

What the evidence supports — and what it doesn’t

Moderate evidence for short-term local analgesia; limited and mixed evidence for broader recovery, swelling, or cosmetic outcomes.

5 sourced claims · 5 moderate

Evidence last reviewed 2026-07-11

What the research points toward

Moderate evidence· Points toward a benefit

A carotid/neck cold wrap reduces migraine pain ~31.8% at 30 min vs. a 31.5% increase in control; meta-analysis confirms short-term VAS reduction (SMD -3.21 at 30 min). Long-term benefit is marginal (CI crosses null).

Studied in Adults with migraineclinical studies

How strong the finding is

Sprouse-Blum et al. PMID 23901394 (RCT n=55 crossover); Hsu et al. J Clinical Nursing 2023, 6 studies (DOI 10.1111/jocn.16368). Source: PMID 23901394. Dossier claim id LC6. Specific wrap device, not general cryo gun.

What complicates this

Short-term only; long-term benefit not established (SMD -0.44, CI crosses null).

Source

Sprouse-Blum AS et al. — RCT: Targeted Neck Cooling in the Treatment of the Migraine Patient (Hawaii J Med Public Health, 2013) — PubMed / Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health · 2013-07-01T00:00:00.000Z

Moderate evidence· Points toward a benefit

Ice pack at the injection site or intracanal cold irrigant significantly improves IANB anesthetic success in irreversible pulpitis and reduces post-endodontic pain at 24h.

Studied in Dental/endodontic patients (irreversible pulpitis)clinical studies

How strong the finding is

Meta-analysis, 6 RCTs, n=506 (PMC12074667); double-blind RCT PMC12020582; systematic review PMC7871184. Source: PMC12074667. Dossier claim id LC7.

What complicates this

Controlled clinical setting; directly applicable to clinical device LCT use.

Source

Alenezi et al. 2025 — Efficacy of Cryotherapy After Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis (SR/meta-analysis) — Cureus · 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Moderate evidence· Points toward a benefit

Local cryotherapy (ice packs, cold hydrotherapy) reduces pain VAS and improves function (WOMAC/Lequesne) in knee osteoarthritis; effect sizes moderate.

Studied in Adults with knee OAclinical studies

How strong the finding is

Dias et al., Pain Practice 2025 (PMC12168428); Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2019 SR. Source: PMC12168428. Dossier claim id LC3. Traditional ice/cold-pack basis.

What complicates this

Device cryo extrapolation reasonable for surface joints but unconfirmed.

Source

Cryotherapy in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis — Pain Practice 25(6):e70055 · 2025-06-16

Moderate evidence· Points toward a benefit

Localized cryotherapy (ice pack, cold-flow device, or cryo wrap) significantly reduces pain on postoperative days 1–3 after TKA, reduces blood loss (~264 mL), and improves ROM (~8.3 deg) at discharge; continuous cold-flow devices do NOT outperform cold packs.

Studied in Post-TKA / orthopedic surgical patientsclinical studies

How strong the finding is

Liang et al., Orthopaedic Surgery 2024, 31 RCTs; scoping review PMC11888574. Source: PMC11608804. Dossier claim id LC2. Strongest LCT evidence domain.

What complicates this

Cold-flow device offers no benefit over cold pack per meta-analysis.

Source

Cryotherapy for Rehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — Orthopaedic Surgery · 2024-10-14

Moderate evidence· Points toward a benefit

Localized cryotherapy produces the greatest DOMS reduction at 48h post-exercise (MD -1.17) vs. control in a 51-RCT network meta-analysis; CWI outperforms LCT at 1h and 24h, and there is no significant LCT effect immediately.

Studied in Active adults with experimentally-induced DOMSclinical studies

How strong the finding is

Zhang et al., Frontiers in Sports & Active Living 2026, 51 RCTs, n=1,243. Source: PMC13137059 (DOI 10.3389/fspor.2026.1819396). Dossier claim id LC1. Modeled as ice-pack; cryo-gun extrapolation requires caution.

What complicates this

Time-lagged; weaker than CWI at 1h/24h; ice-pack basis (device transferability caveat).

Source

Impact of different cryotherapy interventions on post-exercise acute delayed-onset muscle soreness, athletic performance, and inflammatory biomarkers: a systematic review and network meta-analysis — Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · 2026

Fit check

Is localized cryotherapy right for you?

Screened adults seeking short-term comfort for a specific sore area or temporary facial de-puffing.

Wellness guidance, not medical advice.

Often a great fit if…

Diagnosed injury, persistent pain, arthritis, surgery recovery, nerve symptoms, or suspicious skin changes belong in a clinician-guided pathway.

Worth a quick check first if…

Avoid with cold urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, severe Raynaud disease, poor local circulation, impaired sensation or neuropathy, open wounds or infection, or a prior serious cold reaction. Avoid prolonged application over superficial nerves and use extra caution on sensitive or inflamed facial skin.

What a first session feels like

A trained operator moves a cold-air applicator or applies controlled cold to one area for a short period. The skin becomes very cold and numb. Stop for burning pain, waxy or persistently pale skin, loss of normal sensation, severe redness, or symptoms outside the target area.

Where to try it

Studios offering localized cryotherapy

142 verified studios across 124 cities.

Restore Hyper Wellness - Kansas City (Zona Rosa)

Zona Rosa · Kansas City, MO

5.0· 1047 reviews

Full-service hyper-wellness studio in Kansas City's Zona Rosa offering cryotherapy, infrared sauna, IV drips, red light, compression, and mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

CryotherapyLocalized cryotherapyInfrared saunaRed light therapy+3

Website ↗

iCRYO Jacksonville

Durbin Park / St. Johns · St Johns, FL

5.0· 628 reviews

iCRYO Jacksonville is a recovery and wellness studio offering whole-body cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, compression therapy and IV drip infusions.

CryotherapyLocalized cryotherapyRed light therapyInfrared sauna+3

Website ↗

River Oaks Drip Spa & Cryotherapy — Houston

Houston, TX

5.0· 536 reviews

River Oaks Drip Spa is a Houston wellness spa offering IV hydration and vitamin infusions, cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, oxygen bar, and NormaTec compression.

IV Hydration / Vitamin (Myers-type) TherapyRed light therapyInfrared saunaCryotherapy+3

Website ↗

Cryo Nation

Grapevine, TX

5.0· 408 reviews

Grapevine cryotherapy and recovery studio with electric whole-body cryo, localized cryo, cryo-slimming, red light and compression therapy.

CryotherapyLocalized cryotherapyRed light therapyCompression therapy

Website ↗

iCRYO — Foothill, Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, UT

5.0· 317 reviews

iCRYO Foothill Village is a recovery and wellness studio at 1414 Foothill Drive Suite D in Salt Lake City, Utah.

BIA Body CompositionCompression therapyCryotherapyHIFEM / EMSCULPT-Class Body Contouring+6

Website ↗

Ascenta Wellness

Rocky River, OH

5.0· 246 reviews

Ascenta Wellness offers whole body cryotherapy, cryo sculpting, and advanced recovery services in Rocky River, OH.

CryotherapyLocalized cryotherapyRed light therapy

Website ↗

The gear

°CRYO and Vacuactivus and the localized cryotherapy gear list

The equipment brands that power localized cryotherapy at studios in our directory.

°CRYO

Cryotherapy devices (localized + WBC)

2 yearsQuote only — °CRYO publishes no list prices; the Devices menu links to "Contact for pricing" (cryo.com/contact-equipment/).

°CRYO sells a suite of four cryotherapy devices that the company states are designed, engineered, and manufactured in Europe, with all major parts for every device sourced within 100 km of its factory. The whole-body line comprises the °CRYO Arctic, a nitrogen-cooled head-in chamber rated to verified chamber temperatures of -140°C, and the °CRYO e-Arctic, an electric-cooled equivalent rated to -110°C for repeatable high-throughput operation. The localized line comprises the °CRYO Penguin, a liquid-nitrogen-vapour device at verified vapour temperatures of -160°C, and the °CRYO Wave, an electric thermal-contrast system cycling between -18°C and 45°C for aesthetic and body-treatment protocols. Devices are quoted rather than list-priced and sold through a global distributor network; the company's own site describes the range as engineered by CRYO Science, and in April 2026 °CRYO became recovery partner to the IPL teams Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. (Source: cryo.com, fetched 2026-08-07.)

Cryotherapy

Vacuactivus

Cryotherapy chambers & localized cryo devices

1-year standard manufacturer's warranty on frame, motors, and mechanical/electrical parts (90 days on touchscreens/high-wear console items); optional extended warranty up to 3 yearsQuote only — no public list prices. Vacuactivus directs buyers to "Contact Vacuactivus commercial team for specific pricing on current models" and to submit room dimensions and expected session volume for a configured quote. (Source: vacuactivus.com)

Vacuactivus is one of three brands — alongside MEDSTARCOM and the Cryonick Wellness Technology Factory name — under a single manufacturer of commercial longevity, recovery, and biohacking equipment supplied to longevity clinics, biohacking centers, medical spas, rehabilitation practices, and fitness businesses. The portfolio spans electric and nitrogen whole-body cryotherapy chambers, multifunctional Revique halotherapy and longevity capsules, red light and near-infrared systems, wet and dry halotherapy equipment, lymphatic massage body rollers, PEMF and zero-gravity technologies, and the vacuum infrared treadmills and exercise bikes that combine low-impact cardio with controlled negative pressure, infrared heat, and cooling in a single machine. The company states more than 15 years of international experience supplying and installing commercial equipment worldwide. It offers complete B2B solutions including custom configuration, OEM and private-label production, facility planning, worldwide delivery, installation, staff training, and technical support. (Source: vacuactivus.com, fetched 2026-08-07.)

Cryotherapy

Cryomed

Cryotherapy chambers & localized cryo devices

3-year warranty directly from the manufacturerQuote only — no public list prices. Cryomed's in-stock equipment page states "Contact us For Pricing" and "Request a quote"; sales contact +421 918 250 160 / info@cryomed.pro. (Source: cryomed.pro/equipment/stock/)

Cryomed s.r.o. manufactures cryogenic equipment with what it describes as the widest whole-body and spot cryotherapy range on the market: six cryosauna models, two hybrid cryo chambers, a mobile cryosauna, a horse cryosauna, and two localized cryotherapy devices differing in size, features, and price. The company has produced whole-body cryotherapy machines — cryosaunas, cryocapsules, or cryopods — since 2002, added local cryotherapy devices in 2015, and states it has installed over 1,800 cryosaunas in more than 70 countries. An in-house R&D department releases new models each year and upgrades existing equipment every few months on the basis of customer feedback. Since 2020 Cryomed has also offered customers a free online training course on whole-body cryotherapy covering its mechanisms, safety protocols, and applications in beauty, wellness, sports, and healthcare. (Source: cryomed.pro, fetched 2026-08-07.) Note: the same legal entity, Cryomed Manufacture s.r.o. of Hul, Slovakia, now also operates a parallel "CryoMe" brand and storefront at cryome.pro, mirroring Cryomed's own product-line naming (Pro, Mini, One Ultra) and sharing Cryomed's phone number and Slovakia address. cryomed.pro remains live and separately operated as of this writing — it does not redirect to cryome.pro — but cryome.pro's contact page identifies the operating company as "Cryomed Manufacture s.r.o." (Source: https://cryome.pro/about-us/contacts/, fetched 2026-08-07.)

Cryotherapy

Cryo Innovations

Localized cryotherapy devices

3-year Fix or Replace WarrantyQuote only — no public list pricing. Request pricing at 1 (888) 431-CRYO or sales@cryoinnovations.com.

Cryo Innovations manufactures the XR whole-body cryosauna, a liquid-nitrogen chamber whose parts are assembled in the United States and sold into cryo spas, gyms, physical therapy, sports medicine, and mobile-truck operations. The XR is built around an onboard software platform rather than a bare chamber: two-party fingerprint authorization for operator and user, a head-position sensor and door proximity sensor that shut the nitrogen valves, digitally stored contraindications the user must reaffirm each session, and a built-in point-of-sale with multi-location management and business analytics. The company states nitrogen consumption of 2–3 liters per session, a 1,000-pound chamber weight limit, a no-moving-parts design using cryogenically-rated high-density step pads in place of an electronic lift, and over-the-air software updates with real-time fault reporting to its support staff. (Source: cryoinnovations.com, fetched 2026-08-07.)

CRYONiQ

Cryotherapy chambers & localized cryo devices

2-year limited warranty on parts and service (up to 7,000 sessions or 24 months, whichever comes first); extendable for a fee$40,000–$60,000 (new whole body cryo chamber)

CRYONiQ manufactures liquid-nitrogen whole-body cryotherapy chambers and localized cryotherapy devices, sold in the United States through Cryoniq Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware. The line is three units: the CRYO XC and the flagship CRYO XC Plus whole-body chambers, and the CRYO LC localized machine used for cryofacials and targeted spot treatment in sports medicine, cryospa, beauty, and home-recovery settings. The company states 500+ worldwide installations and more than 2 million sessions per year, with the CRYO XC alone installed in over 400 locations. Buyers specify model, system, and color through an online configurator that returns a custom quote rather than list pricing, and CRYONiQ also sells stock and used units alongside delivery, installation, operator training, nitrogen-supply assistance, and financing. (Source: cryoniq.com, fetched 2026-08-07.)

Cryotherapy

Shop it

Shop localized cryotherapy equipment

Real localized cryotherapy products from the brands studios run — and biohackers buy for home.

All equipment →

Localized Cryotherapy Device

Cryomed

Cryomed CF-05

Enhanced portable spot cryotherapy device (cryofan) from Cryomed.

Contact for pricingView →

Cryotherapy devices (localized + WBC)

°CRYO

°CRYO Penguin

A nitrogen-based localized cryotherapy device delivering targeted cold to specific body areas, with laser-guided targeting and real-time skin temperature sensors.

Contact for pricingView →

Localized Cryotherapy Device

CRYONiQ

CRYONiQ CRYO LC

Targeted cryotherapy machine for localized cryo and cryofacial applications.

Contact for pricingView →

Localized cryotherapy devices

Cryo Innovations

XR ISO

The XR ISO is Cryo Innovations' localized cryotherapy device, delivering pinpoint therapeutic CO2 cold spray to target specific areas of the body and face, with thermal imaging for instant treatment feedback.

Contact for pricingView →

Localized Cryotherapy Device

Cryomed

Cryomed CF-04

Portable spot cryotherapy blower (cryofan) from Cryomed for targeted local treatment.

Contact for pricingView →

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is localized cryotherapy the same as whole-body cryotherapy?

No. It cools one small area and has different exposure, risk, and evidence. Findings from a chamber should not be transferred automatically.

How long do the effects last?

Numbing and de-puffing are usually short term. Persistent pain, swelling, weakness, or nerve symptoms need evaluation rather than repeated masking.

Can it damage skin or nerves?

Yes if exposure is too cold, too long, static, or applied over poorly perfused or insensate tissue. Controlled distance, motion, timing, and skin checks are essential.

References

For studio operators

Run a studio that offers localized cryotherapy?

Get listed on Praxium and turn your menu into goal-based protocols your team runs every shift — built on the modalities you already offer.

List your studio — free →

Keep exploring localized cryotherapy

Other modalities

DXA Body Composition →Sauna / Cold Exposure Sequencing (Cross-Modality) →Float therapy →Vasper-Style Compression / Cooling Training →Sauna Blanket →Infrared Body Wraps →Traditional sauna →Cold plunge →

Where does localized cryotherapy fit in your week?

A modality guide can tell you what localized cryotherapy does. It can't tell you whether it belongs before or after your hardest session, or how often. The quiz takes what you're training for and returns a sequence — this modality included or not.

Find your match →Browse studios