Cryotherapy

Dr. Rana M. Arslan PT

DPT (UHS, Lahore)
Ex. House Officer
Ibn-e-Siena Hospital, Multan
What is Cryotherapy?
› Application of cold for therapeutic purposes
› Used for acute and subacute injuries

 Temperature drop will depend upon:

1. Temperature difference b/w coolant and the tissue
2. Thermal conductivity of the tissues
3. Length of the time
4. Size of the area being cooled
Various techniques are:
› Ice massage
› Ice towels
› Cold whirlpool
› Cold packs (silicate gel)
› Evaporative cooling (fluoromethane or ethyl chloride)
› Excitatory cold (dermatome/myotome)
Basic principle
› Latent heat of fusion
› Lewis-Hunting Law
› Pain gate
Contraindications
› Cardiac patients
› Peripheral nerve injuries
› Peripheral vascular diseases
› Psychological sensitive
Uses
› Reduce pain
› Reduce spasticity
› Reduce muscle spasm
› Reduce swelling
› Promote repair
› Provides excitatory stimulus