Cold Therapy Research Paper

Cold therapy or cryotherapy is a common and useful therapeutic modality often used by physiotherapists in treating a wide range of conditions. It is easy to apply and if care is taken over cautions and contraindications it is very safe and patients can be instructed to self treat to manage their conditions independently. Cryotherapy is most commonly used in sports and acute injury treatment and is cheap and simple to use. Cold can be applied in several different ways including cold packs, crushed ice, cubed ice or cold water devices.

As warming of the cold water or melting of the ice occurs heat is carried away from the body as the cold therapy proceeds. The main biological effects on the body are local metabolic reduction, reduction of tissue bleeding, lowering of muscle efficiency, a reduction in pain due to the sedatory effect of cold on transmission of nerves, an increase in local circulation once the blood vessel constriction phase has passed and a reduction in the amount of swelling and tissue oedema which occurs. Cold therapy also reduces spasticity and spasm in muscles as a secondary effect of reduction of pain by the cold.

Cryotherapy is used for a large variety of conditions which include decreasing the swelling and oedema following trauma, to inhibit spasticity although it takes some time to cool the muscle effectively, a reduction in …show more content…
Contraindications to cold are understood by physiotherapists and they will examine the skin for normal sensibility and good colour with lack of broken or abnormal areas. To protect the skin integrity oil can be applied to the area before cold application. A common treatment is performed using an ice pack, made by packing crushed ice into a towel bag and applied closely to the part to be treated. Thorough wetting of the towel and eliminating any pockets of air between the pack and the skin ensure a good cooling