Cryotherapy is a tool for physical therapy
Ever wonder why an ice pack is applied to your injury? What are the benefits and why ice packs can be used in different temperatures? We’ll be looking at them today as an old way of treating illness.
Definition
Cryo, a Latin term meaning extremely cold, and therapy means treatment. So cryotherapy is treatment with cold
Relationship with physical therapy
Physical therapy, as we all know, is the use of physical means to treat different diseases. Cryotherapy is the same. We use cold (physical means) to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal systems. This technique falls under the umbrella of physical therapy. A skilled physical therapist can do this as it can cause ice burns. If you’re in the area, visit the best San Diego Physical Therapy Clinic.
Cryotherapy agents
The most common agents for chemotherapy are
- Frozen gel
- Ice cube
- Ice spray
- The medical cryotherapy gun (mostly used by skilled physical therapists)
- Cryosauna
Principal
It is based upon one of the principles in physics called latent heat offusion
“The heat energy required to transform a unit mass of solid into a liquid state.”
Cryotherapy is where the body heat melts ice to make water.
When should it be used?
A physical therapist can use cryotherapy to treat multiple musculoskeletal disorders such as
- Acute soft tissue injury
- Ankle sprain
- Ligament sprain
- Muscle sprain
- Myofascial trigger point (it is a painful point in a band skeletal muscle that feels just like a knot in the muscles)
- Tendinitis (A swelling of the tricep tendon).
- Acute swelling
- Sports injury: Acute
- Post-orthopedic surgery
We can help! Visit the #1 Scripps Ranch Physical Therapy Clinic.
Cryotherapy has a physiological effect
- It is a vasoconstriction that occurs first due to body hemostasis. However, if the time span exceeds 20 minutes, cold-induced vasodilation takes place. This is called the hemodynamic effect.
- A decrease in nerve conduction can be observed. All nerve conduction is blocked when ice is applied on a nerve trunk. This is because pain is decreased and spasticity decreases.
- Cryotherapy reduces metabolic rate so that abnormal metabolic reactions can be prevented. It also inhibits the activity cartilage-destroying enzymes
Pros
It can be very helpful.
- Reducing inflammation
- Reduce pain and spasticity
- It aids in muscle contraction
- Speed up repair
- Reduce surface temperature
- It is effective for a wide variety of injuries
- Super easy to find and extremely affordable
Cons
- Ice burns can be caused by using ice melter incorrectly
- Frostbites can occur when the rear is not properly ventilated.
- Bradycardia
Summary
It’s a quick and helpful treatment that can be used by professional athletes and a physical therapist. However, it should only be used in controlled settings under expert supervision as it can cause more harm than good.
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