Cryotherapy

I. Physiological effects
 Normal T° regulation
 Hunting response
 Prolonged ice applications
 Effects of varying reductions of T° on the tissue of the body
 Effect on muscle spasm and spasticity
II. Apparatus for ice techniques
 Commercial ice machines
 Cryogel cold packs
III. Indications
 Pain and muscle spasm
 Acute inflammation following trauma
 Chronic inflammation following trauma
 Prevention of injury
 Spasticity
 Facilitation of movement
 ↑ isometric strength
IV. Contraindications
 Peripheral vascular dse
 Cardiac dse or cerebrovascular insufficiency
 Cancer and sickle cell anemia
 Brief icing over the posterior rami of the trunk
 Sensory loss
 Emotional subjects and mental instability
 Patients who are hypersensitive to cold
 Throat, ear or side of the neck
 Unreliable patients
 Severe BP° abnormalities