Local Cryotherapy

Publication date: 13.08.2019

This treatment is based on lowering tissues temperature. The aim of cryotherapy is to decrease the temperature of skin and deeper tissues, resulting in deep hyperaemia at the site of the procedure. Cryotherapy has mainly an analgesic and hyperaemic effect. Low temperature causes superficial vessels to constrict, which leads to an increase in the diameter of deep vessels. Thanks to this mechanism hyperaemia of deeper structures is achieved. This condition lasts in this area for about 4 hours.

WHEN TO HAVE A TREATMENT?

  • Treating vessels and muscles
  • Injuries of joints and soft tissues, e.g. sprains, dislocations
  • All rheumatoid and rheumatic diseases of the locomotor system, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Periartheritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Burns – thermal shock
  • Discopathy
  • Enthesopathy
  • Tendinopathies
  • Myalgias
  • Diseases of tendons, muscle and ligament rupture
  • Osteoporosis prevention
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Oedemas, bruising, posttraumatic haematomas

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

  • Restricting circulation in a given area
  • Slow down of metabolism
  • Reduction of muscle tone and pain through activation of the internal analgesic reaction
  • Improvement of tissue perfusion and oxygen absorption
  • Activation of cold receptors
  • Decrease of heat receptors activity
  • Formation of vasomotor lesions
  • Inhibition of inflammatory state
  • Decrease or recovery of oedemas

WHEN NOT TO HAVE A TREATMENT?

  • Cold intolerance
  • Local frostbites
  • Neoplasm
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Local blood supply disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • Purulent skin infection
  • Cachexia and hypothermia
  • Advanced atherosclerosis