The North Carolina Courage went 330 days without a loss. That’s 11 months and four seasons of competing, day after day, in order to be the best in the world. During that time, the NC Courage won the 2018 NWSL Shield, the Women’s International Champions Cup, and the 2018 NWSL Championship. Players put their bodies through nearly 200 training sessions and 100 strength and conditioning sessions in those 330 undefeated days. When it comes to recovery, the North Carolina Courage deserve the best options available and that is why they receive cryotherapy treatment. Cryotherapy, a treatment that uses extreme cold to stimulate the body’s natural healing process, became popular with athletes in 2011 when NBA teams started using the treatment. Cryotherapy has continued to grow over the years as NFL and MLS teams have also adopted the treatments to help their athletes recover. Whole Body Cryotherapy rejuvenates the body after just a three-minute treatment. It works similarly to ice-baths but without the discomfort and length. During the treatment, temperatures can reach as low as -250 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme temperature drop triggers a parasympathetic response from the body which helps it enter into recovery mode. Cryotherapy is done in a chamber and all body parts of the body are inside the chamber except for the head. Dry thermal gloves, socks, and boots are provided during the treatment. “Cryotherapy causes your neurology to prioritize the internal organs over the extremities for a brief period,” said Joey Baker, Therapy Department Manager at Living Well Balanced. “This puts all of the available lymph and oxygen into the core. Because you’re dry, as soon as you step out, all of that highly oxygenated blood and new lymph flows straight back into the limbs. This knocks out almost all inflammation in your system and gets you ready for whatever challenges the day offers.” While the treatment sounds intense and painful, it is actually completely painless. The NC Courage mostly use Cryotherapy for recovery purposes, but the treatment also enhances the healing process in many ways including reducing swelling, redirecting blood flow to vital organs and enabling oxygen to be directed to where it is needed in the body. Back pain, inflammation, and arthritis can all be reduced through Cryotherapy. “When I think I am really sore, and I want to recover, my first thought is cryotherapy,” said NC Courage midfielder Cari Roccaro. “It is quick and efficient. It gives you an ice bath except you just do it in three minutes and then you are refreshed.” Roccaro is just one of many NC Courage players that love Living Well Balanced and enjoy the benefits of cryotherapy. Midfielder Ryan Williams also advocates for the ease of cryotherapy and the friendliness of the Living Well Balanced team. “They are so nice in Living Well Balanced. You can pop in for just five minutes and then you are done. It is super easy and convenient.” “I think that Living Well Balanced is so amazing,” said Roccaro. “It is so clean, and they are so welcoming. They have all of these resources to help us recover and become better athletes. I go in and feel all refreshed and ready to go for the next day of training.” Owner of Living Well Balanced, Dr. Ankur Prakash, received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2004 and has opened locations in New York and one location in Raleigh since that time. He is very experienced in the field of Cryotherapy, “Our team is very excited for the opportunity to help local pro athletes achieve peak performance,” said Dr. Prakash. “With all of the options available to athletes now, we feel honored to be offering natural healthcare and recovery methods to the NC Courage team.” Living Well Balanced does more than just cryotherapy, as it is a full-service integrated health and wellness center. To learn more about Living Well Balanced visit their website at www.livingwellbalancednc.com. Cryotherapy is becoming the new standard as a recovery regimen for athletes of all sports and ability levels. The North Carolina Courage looks to provide all players with the best recovery methods through this partnership with Living Well Balanced.