Restore Hyper Wellness “the go-to destination to take control of your body and optimize your health” has two locations in Portsmouth. Restore Hyper Wellness opened their first location at Durgin Square next to Whole Foods, their second location opened January 1st on Rte. 1 in the McKinnon Plaza.
At Restore, a variety of core therapies are offered, designed to work in harmony to support pain management, inflammation reduction, mood enhancement, increased energy levels, and improved sleep quality. These innovative therapies include Cryotherapy chambers, red light therapy, infrared saunas, and compression cuffs.
Additionally, Restore provides an IV Therapy suite and a mild hyperbaric chamber (mHBOT) among its array of offerings.
In a previous article, we delved into my experience with cold-water plunges at Rinse Recovery, exploring their benefits, as detailed in Building Mental Strength and Boosting Metabolism with Cold Water Therapy.
In this article, we aim to shed light on another intriguing option that may provide similar advantages to cold water therapy, as discussed in Chilling with Science: Cold Water Therapy and the Pursuit of a Happier You.
Cold-water plunges involve immersing oneself in water with temperatures ranging from 35 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit for a duration of 1 to 3 minutes. To achieve optimal results, science experts recommend undergoing this therapy for a total of 11 minutes per week, spread across multiple sessions for either cold water plunges or cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy chambers expose individuals to temperatures ranging from -156°F to -256°F. These chambers are closely monitored by trained clinicians who take skin temperature measurements before the session, immediately afterward, and again one minute later.
Achieving a skin temperature drop of approximately 20-30 degrees is considered ideal, as it may promote reduced inflammation, pain relief, and improved blood circulation. The drop in skin temperature triggers vasoconstriction, the body’s natural defense mechanism that redirects blood flow towards vital organs.
Stepping into the Cryotherapy Chamber at Restore Hyper Wellness was an experience that was, well, pretty cool – and no pun intended!
Nick Fregeau, the General Manager, warmly greeted me at their Lafayette Road location. To gear up for my Cryotherapy adventure, I suited up into a snug robe, a cozy hat, mittens, and some comfy warm slippers and goggles as I launched into my arctic adventure.
The Cryotherapy chamber itself resembled something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It harnessed the power of liquid nitrogen to create an icy atmosphere that would give the North Pole a run for its money. Guided by a skilled clinician, I took a step into what felt like a rocket ship about to blast off into sub-zero space.
As the minutes ticked away, I could sense the transformation happening within my skin. It was not uncomfortable, I kept focused on my breath and imagined the internal journey my body was experiencing.
My skin temperature, initially 80 degrees, took a nosedive to 52.8 degrees after just 3 minutes, leaving no doubt about the vasoconstrictive effect in action. It quickly rose back up to 75 degrees within a few minutes after the therapy was complete.
Nick’s personal journey with these therapies added depth to my understanding. An amateur athlete participating in around 6 half marathons annually, Nick faced hydration challenges resulting in severe cramping and calf pain. He also grappled with chronic pain, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease.
By incorporating the combination therapies at Restore into his routine 2-3 times a week and receiving an IV drip twice a month, Nick experienced significant improvements in pain management and hydration.
My comparison with the two therapies is, Cryotherapy appeared more sophisticated, with biomarker skin temperature reading. The 3-minute session felt quicker and less challenging than submersion in a cold-water tub.
Personally, I noticed a sensation of an endorphin and dopamine rush that lasted for about 6 hours with the cold-water plunge– it felt more like a mental exercise for me, while the effect with the Cryotherapy chamber was less pronounced.
However, preferences may vary, with some favoring the immersive experience of cold water and others opting for a sci-fi experience of the rocket ship like chamber. To determine which suits you best, it’s worth experiencing both options.
Regarding costs, Restore offers discounted prices on services through founding memberships. A single session without membership is priced at $50, and services can be added with prorated pricing. Membership discounts for students, first responders and health care workers and ongoing promotions are available.
Meanwhile, Rinse Recovery offers a flat monthly fee of $49, one trial session is $10.
Stay tuned for my next article, which will delve into red-light therapy, also known as Photobiomodulation Therapy, and Pulse Electric Magnetic Frequency (PEMF) therapy, both offered at Rinse Recovery and Restore. These therapies provide a warm alternative to cold therapies, especially during the winter months, and the synergy between cold therapy and red-light or PEMF therapy may yield optimal results.
