There is evidence from as early as 2500 B.C. that ancient Egyptians used cold to treat diseases and other ailments. The modern-day cryotherapy chamber was first conceived in Japan in 1978 by Dr. Toshima Yamaguchi, as a treatment for his patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Since that time, the chamber has been further developed and refined in Europe, and now wide-spread whole-body cryotherapy is popular all over the world.
Multiple research studies have been published in medical journals about the effects of whole-body cryotherapy, and in many European countries the treatments are covered by medical insurance policies.
Researchers are continuing to actively study the impact of cryotherapy in many areas.
Meta-study on whole-body cryotherapy
Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature