Physiotherapy

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapyrefers to a variety of cold applications that can be used in multiple ways in Physiotherapy. Each method as cold application and cryostimulation  has its own advantages and disadvantages with some applications for the treatment of acute injuries (cooling) and some for chronic injuries (cryostimualtion).

Cryostimulation

Cryostimulation – means application of extrimly cooled air (less than –100C) on surface of the body in very short time – during 2-3 minutes stimulation in order to induce and utilize physiological responses against cold.

Cryostimulation can be used for treatment of:

  • Injury in reconstruction phase, after RICE method
  • Chronic disease and contusion

The injuried body part should be cryostimulated for 1-4 minutes at a time with very intensive doses – temperature of skin between 0 – 4 C . This procedures should be repeated every 5-10 days.

Cold Application

Cold application can be used only for a number of therapeutic purposes including the treatment of:

  • Acute pain and acute injury
  • Postsurgical pain and swelling

The accute injured body part should be submerged for 20 – 45 minutes at a time. This timing should be repeated every two hours for the first 48 to 72 hours according RICE principle (Rest Ice Commpresion Elevation).

Benefits of Cryostimulation

  • Improves recovery time
  • Increases energy levels and stamina
  • Increases testosterone, adrenaline, noradrenalin,
  • Reduces inflammation throughout the joint and muscules
  • Relieves pain in joints and muscles
  • Improves effectiveness of physiotherapy
  • Reduced chronic inflammation
  • Reduces chronic pain

Application of Cryostimulation

  • Diseases of the locomotor system of autoimmunological origin: e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and Reiterís syndrome,
  • Diseases of soft tissues with accompanying dysfuction of the locomotor system of autoimmunological origin: e.g. myositis, fibromyosis and collagenosis,
  • Diseases of the locomotor system related to non-specific inflammatory process: pe-riarticular tendinitis, periarticular inflammation of joint capsules and muscles,
  • Spondyloarthrosis and peripheral arthrosis along with secondary inflammatory reaction, diseases of the locomotor system of metabolic origin: e.g. gout,
  • Diseases related to disorder of the calcium and phosphate metabolism with loss of the osseous mass: osteoporosis of various etiopathogenesis,
  • Disease of the locomotor system caused by trauma and overloading: traumatic Sudeckís atrophy (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome)
  • Diseases of intervertebral disk,
  • Diseases of the locomotor system caused by injury of the central and/or peripheral nervous system: e.g. spastic paresis,
  • Diseases of the locomotor system of fibromyalgia type.