Cryotherapy

COLD TREATMENT
Lowering local body temperature for therapeutic purposes is called cryotherapy. In terms of physical therapy, it is defined as cold below 18 degrees, cool between 18-24, warm between 24-33 and neutral temperature of 33-35.

PHYSIOLOGY OF CRYOTHERAPY

Physiology of local cold application
1- Reducing pain
Due to the decrease in the activity of the Na-K pump in free nerve endings, repolarization and excitability decrease. Nerve conduction velocity slows down. It provides analgesia through the gate control mechanism. It increases the release of endorphins. It also reduces pain by secondary mechanisms such as solving cold spasm and anti-inflammatory effect.
2- Anti-inflammatory effect
To prevent inflammation, cold should be applied in the acute period and especially in the first 72 hours.
3- Slowing down of metabolism
Decreased metabolism prevents the formation of ischemic damage by reducing the oxygen requirement of the tissue. Cold prevents secondary tissue damage by reducing enzymatic activity.
4- Reducing muscle spasm and spasticity
With cold application, the receptors in the skin are initially stimulated, alpha motor activity is facilitated, and muscle tone increases. If cooling continues, the activity of the muscle spindle and gamma motor neuron decreases.