Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy)

About Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy) 

 Cryotherapy is the application of extreme cold and freezing temperatures to remove the abnormal tissues from your body. There is a rising demand for cryotherapy these days as doctors are using the therapy for the treatment of different skin conditions, including skin tags and warts. The procedure is also contributing to the treatment of liver, prostate, and cervical cancers through cryoablation.

What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a treatment procedure where the trained healthcare provider will apply extreme cold to your entire body or a particular part of the body. It helps to freeze and destroy the abnormal tissue. The professionals use substances like argon gas and liquid nitrogen to create a severe cold. The procedure is highly effective for the treatment of various skin problems and some cancers. The therapy will help in the treatment of tissues both externally and internally.

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Types of Cryotherapy:

The most popular type of cryotherapy is Whole Body Cryotherapy or WBC. The experts use extreme temperature like a sharp drop to 250 degrees below Fahrenheit to achieve the desired health effect. A few minutes of the treatment is sufficient to stimulate the reaction. 

The procedure will also vary depending on the location of the abnormal tissue.

  • The external location of the abnormal tissue will only need the spraying device or the cotton swab for application. 
  • Internal treatment is possible through the use of an instrument called a cryoprobe. The technician will insert it through a small incision on the skin.

Risks of Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy):

Cryosurgery and cryotherapy are minimally invasive procedures. Still, there are minimum risks associated with the therapy. These complications include:

  • Bone fractures
  • Visible swelling, skin infection, and scarring
  • Numbness arising due to nerve damage
  • Bleeding, pain, or cramping after cryotherapy, especially around the cervix. 

Benefits of Cryotherapy Cold Therapy:

There is indeed a considerably long list of benefits of the therapeutic procedure.

1. Reduction of migraine symptoms

Cryotherapy or cold-therapy will reduce the migraine symptoms by cooling and numbing all the nerves in the neck region. The process works by colling the blood circulating through intracranial vessels. 

2.Numbing nerve irritation

Athletes prefer cryotherapy for the treatment of injuries because the process can numb the pain. As the freezing cold will numb all the irritated nerves, you cannot feel the pain in the affected area. Doctors insert a small probe in the nearby tissue of the affected area to treat the condition. The procedure helps in the treatment of pinched nerves, acute injuries, and chronic pain. 

3.Treating mood disorders

Whole-body cryotherapy stimulates physiological hormonal response. It will include the production of endorphins, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. So it will have a positive effect if you are suffering from mood disorders like depression and anxiety. 

4.Reduce arthritic pain

Localized cryotherapy will cause a significant reduction in pain in people who have arthritis. It is aggressive physiotherapy to bring about the effectiveness of many rehabilitation programs. 

Who shouldn’t Undergo Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy:  

If you have diabetes or other similar physiological conditions that affect the nerves, it is better not to undergo cryotherapy. It can damage the nerves further. 

The time for which you need the therapy is important. A span of four minutes is sufficient for whole body cryotherapy. The application of ice packs and ice baths should not go beyond 20 minutes. Exposing the body to such extreme temperatures beyond the suggested limit will adversely affect the body. 

How to Prepare for Cryotherapy:

According to the healthcare providers, no special preparation is necessary to receive the therapy. The medical expert will provide you with all the instructions before undergoing internal cryotherapy. 

  • You may have to stop the intake of some medicines you regularly take, such as aspirin or other blood thinners. The doctor will tell you when to stop the oral medication before the cryosurgery.
  • There will be limitations of the quantity of food and liquid intake before the procedure. 
  • Request someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Recovery: What happens after Cryotherapy: 

When you leave the cryotherapy chamber, the skin temperature can drop between 35 degrees and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The skin will be flush red until you warm up. It can take almost 15 minutes or more. Blisters may appear too. If you feel mild pain, it will usually stay for a maximum of three days. A scab will form at the treated area, and it will heal in a couple of weeks or more. 

If you had internal cryotherapy, then the soreness and mild pain will remain in the affected area for three days. For women who undergo therapy on the cervix, discharge of watery substances will continue for a few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can cryotherapy or cold-therapy aid in athletic recovery?
Many athletes are interested in the therapy as it accelerates the healing process. But you should ensure the presence of a staff person nearby and the affiliation of the facility to a sports medicine center. You should proceed only when the staff is familiar with your medical history.
2. What is the contribution of cryotherapy or cold-therapy in anti-aging treatment?
The celebrities are trying cryotherapy to captivate the youthful look. The process helps in cellular regeneration and collagen production. Collagen is effective in reducing marks of aging like wrinkles and spots. On leaving the cryosauna, the oxygenated blood will rush through the body, enhancing the body’s natural ability to produce collagen even when you are getting old.
3. When to use cryotherapy or old-therapy?
Athletes prefer the procedure to die to innate healing through constant stimulation. But you can undergo the treatment when you have chronic pain, low libido, fatigue, soreness in joints and muscles, and depression.

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Log online and fill out our online registration page and get to book an appointment with us at PhysioTattva.
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