Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy)

What is Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy?

Cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy, is commonly used in injury rehabilitation. It serves multiple purposes, such as pain relief, reducing fever, controlling bleeding, preventing or reducing swelling (edema) from trauma or inflammation, decreasing muscle spasms, and reducing spasticity. Cryotherapy is most effective within the first 24 to 48 hours following an injury. By applying cold to an injured area, it helps decrease fluid buildup, reduce inflammation and pain, and lower the metabolic rate.

Effects of Cold Therapy: When cold therapy is applied, it causes a decrease in the temperature of the skin and soft tissues, resulting in the following:

• Decreased blood flow
• Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), followed by vasodilatation (widening of blood vessels)
• Prevention of hypoxic (low oxygen) damage by reducing blood flow to the affected area
• Reduced swelling
• Decreased muscle spasms
• Lowered metabolic rate by limiting oxygen delivery to cells
• Reduced inflammation due to constricted blood vessels

Conditions Treated by Cold Therapy:

• Osteoarthritis
• Recent injuries
• Gout
• Strains
• Tendinitis (inflammation of tendons)
• Acute injury and inflammation
• Muscle spasms
• Spastic conditions
• Fever reduction
• Edema (swelling)
• Emergency care for burns
• Limited range of motion due to pain

Contraindications: Cold therapy should be avoided or used with caution in the following conditions:

• Angina pectoris or cardiac dysfunction
• Open wounds older than 48 to 72 hours
• Arterial insufficiency
• Decreased skin sensation or hypersensitivity
• Regenerating peripheral nerves
• Application to tense or stiff muscles in the back or neck, as it may worsen pain
• Conditions like diabetic neuropathy or any other disorder that impairs the ability to sense cold, as it can be difficult to determine when cold exposure is excessive

At Healing Hands Physiotherapy Clinic, we offer expert guidance in using cryotherapy for various conditions. Consult with our professionals to see if cold therapy is the right choice for you.