Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/698448
June 30 • 2016 37 2108420 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- pedic surgeon from West Bloomfield and 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 in January. "As I'm getting 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 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. Mark Lusky gets a cryother- apy treatment. Dr. Ronald Lederman in the chamber Dr. Sol Cogan by the cryotherapy chamber