My Experience with the New Cryotherapy and Halocab Treatments at Infinity Wellness (by Dr Reena Virdi).

This week I'm taking a short break from my usual women's health topics to share my experience of two new treatments now available at the recently opened Infinity Wellness Centre: the Cryotherapy Chamber and the Halocab.

As both a doctor and someone interested in evidence-based healthcare, I approached these treatments with an open mind and a healthy degree of scepticism. It's important to note that these therapies are still relatively new, and while there is some promising research behind certain aspects of both treatments, the overall medical evidence remains limited.

That said, I enjoyed both experiences far more than I expected. The Cryotherapychamber was much more manageable than anticipated, and I successfully completed the full three minutes. The Halocab was incredibly relaxing—I actually fell asleep during my session.

The staff were excellent throughout, taking time to explain everything and making the experience feel comfortable and accessible. For cryotherapy, protective gloves, long socks, slippers, shorts and a top are provided, which helps take away some of the apprehension before stepping into temperatures below -100°C.

What is Cryotherapy?

Whole-body Cryotherapy involves standing in a chamber cooled to temperatures of approximately -110°C to -140°C for up to three minutes.

This treatment has become popular among athletes and wellness enthusiasts, primarily for recovery.

The strongest evidence suggests Cryotherapy may:

1. Reduce muscle soreness

2. Support recovery after intense exercise

3. Improve short-term feelings of recovery and wellbeing

4. Many people also report improvements in mood, alertness and energy levels, possibly due to the release of endorphins and other stress-response hormones.

Personally, I've always enjoyed cold-water plunges, regardless of what the science says, and have found them beneficial for both my physical and mental wellbeing. Cryotherapy felt like a natural extension of that experience.

One thing I found particularly interesting was the importance of focusing on slow, controlled breathing whilst in the chamber. Rather than simply enduring the cold, it almost becomes a form of meditation. Concentrating on your breathing helps you stay calm, present and surprisingly comfortable, making the three minutes pass much more quickly than expected.

What is the Halocab?

Following cryotherapy, the experience moves into the Halocab, a wellness cabin that combines several therapies into a single session:

1. Red light therapy

2. Salt inhalation (halotherapy)

3. Frequency and vibration therapy

4. Ionised oxygen

5. Aromatherapy

What struck me most was how immersive the experience felt. The Halocab engages almost all of the senses at once—the gentle warmth, red light, calming music, aromatherapy scents and salt-infused air combine to create a deeply relaxing environment. Whether the benefits come from the individual therapies themselves or simply from taking time out to unwind, it is certainly an enjoyable experience.

Of the individual components, red light therapy currently has the strongest evidence, with research suggesting potential benefits for wound healing, inflammation, skin health and exercise recovery.

Halotherapy may help some people with respiratory symptoms such as sinus congestion, allergies and asthma, although the evidence remains limited.

Sound, vibration and aromatherapy are primarily aimed at relaxation and stress reduction. While their effects may be largely psychological, improved relaxation, sleep and wellbeing can still be valuable outcomes.

Ionised oxygen has the weakest evidence base, as healthy individuals already maintain near-optimal oxygen levels under normal circumstances. However, some people report feeling refreshed and energised following treatment.

Overall, the Halocab should be viewed as a wellness and relaxation experience rather than a medical treatment.

My Overall View:

From a medical perspective, both cryotherapy and the Halocab sit somewhere between healthcare and wellness.

Cryotherapy has somewhat stronger evidence, particularly for muscle recovery and reducing soreness after exercise, although many broader health claims are not yet supported by high-quality research.

The Halocab's strongest evidence relates to red light therapy, while many of its other components are best viewed as relaxation therapies that may improve wellbeing and sleep.

Having tried both treatments myself, I came away pleasantly surprised. I left feeling refreshed after cryotherapy and deeply relaxed after the Halocab session—so relaxed, in fact, that I drifted off to sleep. While neither should replace the foundations of good health—exercise, sleep, nutrition and evidence-based medical care—they may have a place as part of a wider wellbeing routine for those who enjoy them.

As with many wellness therapies, the key is to approach them with curiosity, realistic expectations and an understanding that the science is still evolving.