CRYOTHERAPY


WHAT IS CRYOTHERAPY

Cryotherapy is also known as cold therapy which is the local or general application of low temperatures for therapeutic purpose.

Because cold agents are used as first-aid treatment after trauma i.e acute injury and as a tool in rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular dysfunction.

Cryotherapy is an old remedy and has been used for long time as remedy for pain relief, fever and control of bleeding. 

But in modern time. cryotherapy has been applied to prevent or reduce oedeme of traumatic origin and inflammation, and also is used for reducing muscle spasms and temporarily decrease spasticity before exercise.

A number of different cold agents are available for achieving this therapeutic effect. Universally, it is agreed that the application of cold is indicated to treat most acute musculoskeletal injuries such as strains, sprains and contusions. Despite the traditional rule of treatment for an acute injury is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

BODY RESPONSE TO COLD

The human body responds to the application of ice in stages:

  • Initial reaction is local vasoconstriction followed by reducing of blood flow which is very important when it is necessary to control swelling and prevent inflammation or prevent fluid flow to control oedema i.e accumulation of fluid in the early stage (i.e acute stage). and also in this initial reaction, the cold or ice has analgesic effect and often used to reduce pain.
  • Second reaction is known as cyclic reaction which is referred to as "Lauris-Hunting" reaction, this reaction is by periods of intermittent vasodilatation and vasoconstrictin, each lasting for 4 to 6 minutes. and this is a necessary response by the body to prevent tissue injury. via the cooling, since the blood vessels in the affected tissues become maximally dilated.
Despite among the individuals, there is great variation in body response to cryotherapy. every individual or patient should experienced the following during cryotherapy:

(1) Sensation of cold

(2) Tingling or itching 

(3) Burning or aching 

(4) Numbness

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CRYOTHERAPY

The following are the physiological effects of cryotherapy:

(1) Anesthesia 

(2) Vasoconstriction (initially)

(3) Reduced blood flow (initially)

(4) Local decrease in tissue temperature 

(5) Decreased formation and accumulation of oedema

(6) Reduced muscle spindle activity

THERAPEUTIC USES OF CRYOTHERAPY

(1) Is used for treatment of recent injuries

(2) Is used for pain relief

(3) Is used for reducing muscle spasm

(4) Is also used for reducing spasticity

(5) Used for muscle strengthening

(6) For treatment of chronic inflammation 

(7) For treatment of chronic oedema and joint effusions

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF CRYOTHERAPY

(1) Ice packs

  • Ice should be used for the treatment of acute injuries
  • 15 to 20 minutes are adequate for most therapeutic applications because long application may cause problems.
  • Application should be repeated every 2 hours as needed
  • Ice should be used accompanied with compression mainly for reducing oedema.
  • Patient tolerance to ice varies in individuals and must be taken into account.
(2) Ice massage 

(3) Cold spray 

(4) Cold whirlpool

(5) Controlled cold-compression.

INDICATIONS OF CRYOTHERAPY

(1) Trauma 

(2) Osseous pathologies

  • Venous risk
  • Muscular atrophy
(3) Joint pathologies

  • Sprains
  • Luxations
(4) Muscular and tendinous injuries

(5) Arthrosis

(6) Neurodystrophic pain

(7) Rheumatoid arthritis.

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF CRYOTHERAPY

(1) Cardiac diseases or cerebrovascular insufficiency

(2) Loss of sensation

(3) Emotional subjects and mental instability

(4) Cancer and sickle-cell anemia

(5) Peripheral vascular disease

(6) Severe blood pressure abnormalities

(7) Unreliable patients 

(8) Patients who are hypersensitive to cold

(9) Throat, ear and side of the neck.



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