MAKING CRYOTHERAPY AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS
This does NOT have to happen to your cryo business
With the global uncertainty of COVID-19 and numerous states closing non-essential businesses many cryotherapy companies simply do not know if they qualify to stay open. We analyzed two states with strict guidelines to help you make an informed decision about whether or not you can strategically open for business without repercussions. As always any major decision about your business—and your local statutes—should be reviewed by your legal counsel.
Steps You Should Take Now
Nearly every state in the nation is requiring businesses to submit a plan of action detailing how they will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is not a difficult task, and most states have developed online tools to streamline the process. Due to the fact that none of us know how long this quarantine situation will last it would be beneficial to take any pre-opening steps now so that you are ready to open your doors on the very first day. In any event it would also be a good idea to stock your business with as many boxes of masks, gloves, alcohol wipes, cleaning supplies, and non-contact thermometers that you can.
California Essential Guidelines
Your business in California may be able to position itself within the Healthcare / Public Health sector in different ways. The state defines this sector as “large, diverse, and open, spanning both the public and private sectors. It includes publicly accessible healthcare facilities, research centers, [and] suppliers,….” ¹ It seems that local California authorities are not scrutinizing businesses that are:
Open to the public for heath care or physical rehabilitation issues
Offering rehab services included in a doctor or therapist’s order
Supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the public (masks, gloves, sanitizer, cleaning supplies, etc.).
Two major categories of services that clearly satisfy the requirements are:
Rehabilitation
The California Health Care Sector includes nurses, chiropractors, physical therapists and their assistants. For example, if your cryotherapy business is part of a chiropractor’s office you can still provide cryo as part of that overall service. If you partner with a rehabilitation facility that refers patients to you then your business becomes essential at that point. You may also be able to augment your business by:
Adding IV Drip Therapy. In California and most states this will require a medical doctor’s prescription and a Registered Nurse to administer the IV. Existing IV centers may be willing to partner with you in offering IV and cryo packages.
Offer to advertise for a local chiropractor or doctor who can then refer patients to you. A single patient referral will allow you to stay open.
Selling Personal Protective Equipment
California describes essential healthcare sector businesses as those that are “…distributors of medical equipment (including those who test and repair), personal protective equipment (PPE)…cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization supplies, personal hygiene products, and tissue and paper towel products.”¹ Many cryotherapy businesses already provide PPE to their customers for their sessions. If you have a California Seller’s Permit for tangible items you currently sell then you can also sell PPE to the public. This alone may satisfy the state definition of an essential business.
New York Essential Guidelines
New York has a much more strict policy than California and is operating in different phases by county.² However, essential operations includes businesses operating in or as:
Chiropractors: Adjustments made can be improved with cryotherapy, and the adjustments can last longer with cryotherapy.
Physical Therapy: PT’s often treat pulled muscles, sprains, strains, and back pain.
Occupational Therapy: OT’s often treat arthritis, which is historically the reason cryotherapy was invented in the 1970’s in Japan.
Acupuncture: Acupuncturists treat a variety of pain conditions, all of which can be improved with cryotherapy.
These four essential businesses all treat chronic pain, which cryotherapy can alleviate (see studies here). You can also attempt to create a partnership with these types of therapists to provide cryo for their referrals.
New York also includes in this list “medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers.” How the state defines a “medical supply provider” may allow a New York business to provide PPE in a way that makes them essential. To successfully sell medical supplies you must first obtain a New York Certificate of Authority to sell and collect state taxes. According to the NY Department of Taxation and Finance this requires 20 days before you begin selling.
Your State and County
Each state in the country is different. Your county may have different guidelines and it is imperative that you check with your local rules before you open for business. The demand for fitness and wellness is clearly building and your local officials can actually help you if you find a way to “essentialize” your business. This requires some out-of-the-box thinking, but it may just be what saves your company in the long run.
Make Your Business Unstoppable
The XR Chamber can operate anywhere
Mobile chambers such as the XR can fully operate outside, even in a parking lot. Cryo Innovations regularly uses the XR at trade shows as it easily wheels around on its eight caster wheels that can lock in place. If your county allows businesses to operate outdoors you may be able to set up shop in your own parking lot if you can provide areas for changing.
The Future to Come
Some states have suggested that they may not be able to fully reopen for the rest of the year. Cryo businesses can and should band together in each county to petition the local government for permits to open so they can operate in confidence. In the meantime careful planning and clever presentation of your business model can hopefully help you avoid being cited for operating without official guidance.
For information about California and New York rules please visit:
https://covid19.ca.gov/essential-workforce/
https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
NOTICE: Information contained within this website and on all materials, communications, or presentations by Cryo Innovations and Cryo Recovery Lounge is for informational purposes only. Whole Body Cryotherapy, infrared sauna, hyperbaric chamber, and any and all recovery methods described and/or offered by Cryo Recovery Lounge or Cryo Innovations are neither designed nor advised for treatment or cure of any illness or disease. No cryotherapy chambers (including the XR) have been tested or approved by the FDA. Please consult with your medical professional before beginning any cryotherapy or recovery method. All material contained within this site is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission. All rights reserved. For permissions contact Cryo Innovations.