Cold therapy is also called cryotherapy in Greek. And this therapy is an application of physical medicine. This cold therapy can be applied both systematically and locally. It is always intended for therapeutic purposes.
The main field of application is still to be used in traumatology. It has also become an integral part of rheumatology. Cold therapy can alleviate or even prevent diseases. The scope of application with cold therapy is broad.
The goal of the application
The cold therapy always has a goal and that would be to withdraw the warmth from the tissue to be treated. This then has a vasoconstrictive effect. And also a muscular relaxation is to be caused. Which then has the effect that this takes the pain.
Cold therapy can also have side effects
- Cold allergies can occur.
- The therapy can lead to circulatory problems.
- There may be cystitis with inflammation of the renal pelvis.
These side effects may or may not occur.
The differences in the application
There are basically two types of application of cold therapy. There is the short-term application and the long-term application. Thereby, the different forms of therapy differ in very clear characteristics. Also the effect differs then naturally.
The short-term application of cold therapy never lasts longer than 10 - 15 minutes. The result is that the blood flow to the deep and superficial muscles is locally reduced. After the cold is removed, the blood circulation is stimulated and strengthened again and the tissue is warmed up.
Long-term application lasts between one and two hours. During the cold therapy there is a significant reduction in body temperature. Also the blood circulation comes thereby naturally neatly to a standstill. This application is usually used for inflammations. In any case, the pain is completely eliminated. However, it must be taken into account that there will be an inhibition of bleeding. Also, blood pressure and heart rate will definitely increase.
As for cold therapy, it can be carried out in a wide variety of methods. In all applications, however, it is certain that the cold stimulus is present.
As different are the methods, as different are the temperatures of the cold applications. Also the application place and the application duration can differ thereby very much. Care should be taken to ensure that only the affected area is ever exposed to the cold, and if ice packs are applied, then the skin area must be covered without fail. The rest of the body is ideally wrapped up warm. Because this is the only way to avoid catching a cold or even getting hypothermia.
The sensations of cold therapy
During cold therapy, the person being treated first gets an extreme feeling of cold, followed by a burning sensation. Then, after about 10 minutes, the feeling of insensitivity to pain sets in. However, this will not last, because a cold pain may occur again. Therefore, the therapist will also always be in close proximity to the patient to be able to act immediately in case of emergency.
The benefits of cold therapy
The largest area of application of cold therapy is still, the treatment of injuries. Mainly just because it causes a pain relief and of course a decongestion of the injured joints.
Interesting facts about cold therapy
Cold therapy is usually applied locally. There are different ways in which the therapy is used. In the end, this will always be decided by the therapist. It causes the pain is taken and it has a decongestant effect. The pain is taken because the cold lowers the speed of nerve conduction. Depending on how the therapy is used, it can either increase or decrease the tension of the muscles. That, of course, is adapted to the corresponding disease.
Here you can find devices for cold therapy.
Published on: 26 March 2015