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Cold Therapy

Here are the key differences between heat and cold therapy: - Heat increases blood flow and metabolism, while cold decreases blood flow and metabolism. - Heat is used to relieve muscle pain and stiffness caused by overuse. It promotes relaxation of muscles and increases flexibility. - Cold is used to reduce pain, inflammation and muscle spasms after an injury. It constricts blood vessels which decreases bleeding and swelling. - Heat may be appropriate for chronic conditions, while cold is better for acute injuries in the first 48 hours. - Heat risks include overheating tissues and burns. Cold risks include frostbite if applied for too long. - Both can provide pain relief through different mechanisms - heat through relaxation

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2K views27 pages

Cold Therapy

Here are the key differences between heat and cold therapy: - Heat increases blood flow and metabolism, while cold decreases blood flow and metabolism. - Heat is used to relieve muscle pain and stiffness caused by overuse. It promotes relaxation of muscles and increases flexibility. - Cold is used to reduce pain, inflammation and muscle spasms after an injury. It constricts blood vessels which decreases bleeding and swelling. - Heat may be appropriate for chronic conditions, while cold is better for acute injuries in the first 48 hours. - Heat risks include overheating tissues and burns. Cold risks include frostbite if applied for too long. - Both can provide pain relief through different mechanisms - heat through relaxation

Uploaded by

bpt2
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Cold Therapy Overview: An introductory cover page labeled 'Cold therapy'.
  • Definition of Cryotherapy: Defines cryotherapy as the use of cooling for therapeutic purposes.
  • Cold Therapy Details: Explains the process and effectiveness of applying cold therapy to lower tissue temperature.
  • Applications and Effects: Discusses the effects of cooling the skin surface, various therapeutic applications, and contraindications.
  • Principles of Cold Therapy: Outlines the principles for effectively lowering muscle temperature and achieving therapeutic benefits.
  • Physiological Changes: Details physiological changes and the effects of skin surface cooling.
  • Therapeutic Uses: Explores therapeutic uses of cold therapy for various conditions like injuries and muscle spasm.
  • Contraindications and Dangers: Lists contraindications such as Raynaud’s disease and cautionary conditions for use of cold therapy.
  • Techniques of Application: Covers technical details for applying cold therapy, including preparation and application steps.
  • Methods of Applying Cold Therapy: Describes various methods for applying cold therapy such as immersion and packs.
  • Dangers and Precautions: Highlights potential dangers and precautions necessary for safe cold therapy application.

Cold therapy

Use of local or general cooling for


therapeutic purposes
“cryotherapy”
COLD THERAPY

 To lower the local tissue temperature and


provoke the thermoregulatory responses.

 Applying ice to the body surface is a very


effective way of withdrawing energy (heat)
and hence lowering the surface temperature.
 For a constant source of cooling the
temperature drop in the tissues will depend
on.
 The temperature difference between the coolant
and the tissues.
 The thermal conductivity of the tissues.
 The length of time for which the cold is applied.
 The size of the area that is being cooled.
Cold therapy

 Effects of cooling the skin surface


 Therapeutic effects of cold
 Types of application
 Contra indications and dangers of
cryotherapy
Principles

 30 min to lower muscle


temperature at 4cm depth by 3.5C
 2.5cm-20min to drop by 2.5C
Physiological changes
due to cooling the
skin

The local effects


General effects of local cooling
Local effects

 Immediate vasoconstriction
 there is increased blood viscosity, due to
cooling,
 contribute to the slowed blood flow.
 Followed by vasodilatation
 Lewis Hunting response
 Cold applied to the skin provides a strong
sensory stimulus by stimulating the cold
receptors.
 This may be used therapeutically in the
suppression of pain and treatment of
hypertonicity.
Local effects

 Decrease metabolic rate-oxygen


uptake, metabolite
production,cellular activity=slowed
healing
 Decrease nerve conduction
velocities
 Decrease strength, fine
movements,tremors,spasticity,dext
erity
General effects of local cooling

 Stimulate cold receptors.


 Extreme cold is experienced as pain, involving pain
receptors.
 Cutaneous vasoconstriction.
 Increase metabolism.
 Heat production, by irregular muscle
contractions.
Therapeutic uses of cold

Recent injuries
Pain
Muscle Spasm
Spasticity
Muscle Strengthening
Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Chronic edema and joint effusions
Other therapeutic effects
Recent injuries

 Limits bleeding by vasoconstriction


 Limits pain-decreased pain nerve
irritants
 Reduces metabolic rate and
secondary cell necrosis
 Reduces joint effusion/edema
 Reduces edema formation
Alleviation of pain

 Reduces conduction of nerves


 Sensory stimulation acts on pain
gate
 Strong cold sensation releases
endorphins
Reduction in
muscle spasticity
 Increased viscosity diminish rapid
stretch reflex
 Affects muscle spindle
 Stimulation of cutaneous receptors
 Decreased nerve velocities
Other therapeutic effects

 Pressure sores.
 Conjunction with stretching.
 Acute lesions
 General contraindications
 If frostbite has been in area
 Pt has Raynaud’s disease
 Circulation to part is compromised
 Pt very old or young
 Pt extremely sensitive to cold
Technique of
application
 preparation of patient
 Preparation of apparatus
 Preparation of part
 Instructions for the patient
 Application
 Termination
 Before applying cryotherapy
 Inspect skin
 Test small area of skin, to determine if hypersensitive
 Verify good circulatory status
 Make certain patient never had frostbite in area to be
treated
 Make certain pt never experienced a lot of spasticity
when used
 Position & drape pt comfortably
Methods of applying
cold therapy
Local immersion
Cold packs-ice packs\commercial cold
packs
Ice towels
Ice massage
Cold-Compression units
Evaporating sprays
 Cold or Ice Water Immersion
 Equipment
 Variety of basins or containers can be used, small whirlpool
 Temperature should be 50-60 degrees F
 Indications
 Circumferential cooling of a body part
 Application
 Athlete immerse body part in water and goes through four stages of cold response
 Treatment may last 10-15 minutes
 Once numb body part can be removed from immersion and ROM exercise can be
performed
 As pain returns re-immersion should take place
 Cycle can be repeated 3 times
 Cold or Ice Water Immersion (continued)
 Special Considerations
 Cold treatment makes collagen brittle -- must be
cautious with return to activity following icing
 Be aware of allergic reactions and overcooling
 Ice Packs (Bags)
 Equipment
 Wet ice (flaked ice in wet towel)
 Crushed or chipped ice in self sealing bag
 Not as efficient, but less messy
 Useful for approximately 15-20 minutes
 Towel should be placed between skin and pack
 Chemical Cold packs
 Gel pack
 Liquid pack
 Indications
 Athlete experiences four stages of cooling and then proceeds with ROM exercises
 Special Considerations
 Avoid excessive cold exposure; w/ any indication of allergy or abnormal pain,
treatment should be stopped
Contrasting cold and
of treatment
Could you tell me
what the difference
is between heat and
cold?
Dangers
Contraindications
Excessive local cold on normal tissues
Certain pathological conditions
Cold sensitivity
Cardiac disease
Arterial blood pressure
Sensory deficiency
Hypersensitive areas
Emotional and psychological features
Precautions with particular cooling
methods

Cold therapy
Use of local or general cooling for therapeutic purposes “cryotherapy”
COLD THERAPY To lower the local tissue temperature and provoke the thermoregulatory responses. Applying ice to the bo
For a constant source of cooling the temperature drop in the tissues will depend on. The temperature difference betwe
Cold therapy Effects of cooling the skin surface Therapeutic effects of cold Types of application Contra indications
Principles 30 min to lower muscle temperature at 4cm depth by 3.5C 2.5cm-20min to drop by 2.5C
Physiological changes due to cooling the skin The local effects General effects of local cooling
Local effects Immediate vasoconstriction there is increased blood viscosity, due to cooling, contribute to the slow
Cold applied to the skin provides a strong sensory stimulus by stimulating the cold receptors. This may be used the
Local effects Decrease metabolic rate-oxygen uptake, metabolite production,cellular activity=slowed healing Decrease

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