By Laura Williams

Unplug your heating pad and put those bags of frozen peas back in the freezer. There’s a much easier way to heat and cool fatigued and strained muscles and it’s here in Old Saybrook at KUR Recovery Spa.

If you’ve been intrigued by Cryotherapy but afraid to try, this is the place for you. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a process (developed in Japan in the 1970s) of exposing the body to hyper-cool temperatures to help the natural healing process. Unlike a traditional spa, you won’t be sitting around in fluffy robes, drinking cucumber water before your treatment. You’ll get right down to business at the time of your appointment. You’ll start in a private dressing room where you’ll undress and put on a robe, gloves, knee socks, and booties. Next, you’ll walk into the CryoSauna (a stand-up booth) in which your head and neck stay exposed above at room temperature. There’ll be an attendant there to walk you through the process with words of encouragement (if you need it. I did!) like, “You’ll get used to it in just a few more seconds”. The treatment lasts 3 (long, cold) minutes as your body endures -90C (-133F). Next, you’ll be back in your cozy street clothes, heart pumping and energized and if you’re like me, pretty impressed with yourself. It’s like an ice bath, only easier to endure as the air is dry and there’s no getting wet.

The benefits: better sleep, an anti-inflammatory release that reduces short-term pain from injuries. According to KUR, it also makes intensive physical therapy more tolerable for chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and osteoarthritis. Cryotherapy has also been effective for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

And if it’s too just cold outside for you to imagine icing yourself, KUR also offers a Cocoon Infrared Sauna. You’ll undress to your desired level in a private room and lie prone in a comfy pod that resembles a tanning bed but don’t let that deter you. The cushion beneath will vibrate, massage your back and legs while infrared heat blasts your body from the neck down. Your head stays outside the cocoon and your face is fanned from either side. You may adjust the temp, fan and massage levels during the session and can easily open the vessel in case of emergency or if you just can’t take it anymore. You’ll begin at around a 15-minute session. It feels as if you’ve had a long, hot bath without having to get wet. Essential oil add-ons are available, too.

The benefits: relaxation, improved sleep quality, detoxification, increases circulation, boosted immunity, and skin benefits.

KUR also offers targeted Cryotherapy for specific injuries and/or muscles, Infrared Facials, and more. Have a tour of the spa when you have your first appointment.

Whole Body Cryotherapy
First Time: $25
Single Session: $40
Five Pack: $175.

Cocoon Infrared Sauna
$1/min
$5 aromatherapy

$200/month: unlimited access to all KUR has to offer. That includes whole body Cryotherapy up to twice a day, up to one hour sessions in the Cocoon Infrared Sauna on days you don’t do Cryo.

252 Main Street in Old Saybrook
860-339-5511

www.kurrecoveryspa.com