Ever wondered how it feels like to be in a chamber with air as cold as -250 degrees? To me it sounded pretty refreshing during the peak of the dog days of summer in Central Texas! The concept of cryotherapy and the buzz surrounding this treatment was so intriguing I scheduled a visit to EvolvE Cryo + Wellness to learn and discover all the benefits.  

EvolvE’s partners, Shannon Maddalena, Rue Dwyer, and Dave Wilkins created this center with overall wellness in mind. Maddalena discovered an intense desire to learn more about this type of therapy and the concept for EvolvE materialized. The original idea was to develop a center for people to come to recharge, recover and improve health. Opening its doors in May 2016, the facility offers a wide range of holistic therapies for pain management, sports recovery and general health for the weekend warrior to the fiercely competitive athlete in all of us.

“We all have people we care for and nurture in life, but we have to take care of ourselves as well,” Maddalena explained. “It’s important to strike a healthy balance so we can give back to our community, friends and family.”

EvolvE Cryo + Wellness was designed for today’s busy lifestyle. A combination of cryo, oxygen and compression therapy can be completed within 45 minutes and clients can get back to their busy schedules. However, if you prefer a nice relaxing spa experience the staff is happy to oblige with a variety of facial, massage, acupuncture, plus other treatments. In addition, the center is open seven days a week, a rarity for wellness centers.

Cryotherapy was invented in Japan in the late 70s and started gaining momentum in the US starting in 2014. The benefits include increased energy, endurance, reduce inflammation and pain, boosting metabolism and aid in post-workout recovery. A blood pressure check is performed prior to treatment, then guests are escorted to the changing room to change into a warm robe, socks, slippers and gloves. Once you enter the chamber the flow of chilling nitrogen air begins at your feet and works its way up the body in a series on pulsing segments. Treatments last between one and three minutes and a staff member stays in the room to walk you through the entire session. The cold is not a bone chilling cold and the body warms fairly rapidly after exiting the chamber.

In theory, the cold reduces inflammation and rebalances the body. Clients of EvolvE cryotherapy treatments have reported relief from old and new injuries, significant reduction of edema, rapid post workout recovery, improved sleep and energy, and reduction in symptoms of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Since the therapy has many applications the range of guests using the treatment varies significantly.

Oxygen and compression therapy were next on my experience. The oxygen is delivered through a “nose hose” while relaxing on a beanbag lounge chair in the relaxation room. Known to aid in digestion while promoting healing, this treatment is also known to relieve headaches, migraines and hangovers before or after a workout for an energy boost and improved concentration. Pure oxygen is available but if enjoy aromatherapy, guests can choose between eucalyptus and rosemary mint along with several other options.

Compression therapy uses sequential pulse technology to mobilize fluid out of the extremities and the sensation of a machine assisted massage. A 30-minute session leaves you feeling rejuvenated and is great for athletic recovery, persons who stand on a hard surface or sit at a desk all day for work. During my visit I spoke to a guest, a professional competitive crossfit athlete who visits the center three or four times a week for a combination of cryo, oxygen, and compression therapy. He gave testimony to the treatments aiding in improved recovery time that allows him to maintain his intense training schedule. EvolvE is the only center he found offering all three services in one location.

My experience at EvolvE Cryo + Wellness was enjoyable and after my sessions I experienced increased flexibility and energy. Austin, being a fit friendly city, will embrace the opportunity to have a facility such as this. Shannon summed it up best “At the end of the day, it’s about quality of life.”