Reading this discussion about FDA regulation and example of acupuncture made me think of whole body cryotherapy. I myself have actually done a few cryotherapy sessions and reading this was curious to see what the FDA had approved. Interestingly enough the FDA has actually posted info regarding whole body cryotherapy (WBC) on their website.

“Based on purported health benefits seen in many promotions for cryotherapy spas, consumers may incorrectly believe that the FDA has cleared or approved WBC devices as safe and effective to treat medical conditions,” says Aron Yustein, M.D., a medical officer in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “That is not the case.”
In fact, not a single WBC device has been cleared or approved by the agency in support of these claims.
Nevertheless, a quick Internet search for the term “whole body cryotherapy” turns up a wealth of websites extolling the praises of WBC for a number of serious illnesses and conditions, including:
• Asthma
• Alzheimer’s
• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Multiple sclerosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Weight Loss
Those who sell WBC machines and facilities that operate them may also claim that WBC can improve blood circulation, increase metabolism, improve recovery and soreness after workouts, and relieve joint and body pain.
“Given a growing interest from consumers in whole body cryotherapy, the FDA has informally reviewed the medical literature available on this subject,” Yustein says. “We found very little evidence about its safety or effectiveness in treating the conditions for which it is being promoted.”
It goes on to state the people should consult their doctors before doing WBC. It will be interesting to see if in the future these WBC machines become FDA regulated/approved.

https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm508739.htm