Cryo wave treatment for pain management: All you need to know
Ever heard how athletes use whole-body cryotherapy to treat the pain that comes with sports injuries? When you use an ice bag on a swollen body part, you may get pain relief. That’s a traditional approach. However, the modern approach is called Celsius Cryotherapy, which is a kind of cold therapy recommended for sports injuries.
Also known as cryo wave treatment, cryotherapy is the simplest and oldest way to treat sports injuries, improve metabolism and manage pain. The influence of cryotherapy hugely depends on the method, duration and temperature. It has been used worldwide because of its effectiveness, convenience and low cost. The therapy can be used for:
· Tendonitis
· Arthritis pain
· Runner’s knee
· Lower back pain
· Pain or swelling under a cast
How does cryotherapy actually work?
The process is quite simple: Cryotherapy lowers your skin temperature and then minimises the nerve activity, reducing pain and swelling around a joint or tendon. The therapy uses ultra-cold temperatures, ranging between -225°F and -250°F, to treat injuries. To do this, a tube-like chamber (cryosauna) is cooled by using liquid nitrogen.
When you step into this chamber, your body instantly goes into a natural flight, where blood vessels constrict and redirect your blood away from the extremities to protect the organs. Henceforth, your body gets charged with oxygen and anti-inflammatory proteins, boosting your metabolic rate to manage the pain and recover from the injury.
What’s the science behind cryotherapy?
If you are wondering whether cryo treatment is backed by science or not, the answer is YES! There is this German study, which suggests that cryotherapy helps in pain management associated with both rheumatoid arthritis and strenuous exercise. The study found that the body burns up fat and calories in the hours post-therapy and decreases the pain level significantly. Also, there was evidence that cold therapy generated short-term pain reduction and facilitated the intensive application of physiotherapy.
What should be kept in mind?
Because cryotherapy uses temperatures colder than Antarctica, these sessions only last 2 to 4 minutes. Staying longer in a cryotherapy chamber could result in frostbite, skin burn and even hypothermia. Also, if you are allergic, pregnant or have some heart-related problem, it is advised to consult a health expert before taking cryo injury treatment.
In conclusion
While cold therapy aids in an array of issues, its counterpart, cryotherapy, is far more specific and effective. It helps you increase microcirculation, promote collagen growth and manage pain. So, it is no wonder why cryo treatment is gaining rapid popularity. Though it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure or heart problems, cryotherapy is a boon for those seeking improved athletic recovery time, decreased joint pain, healthier skin, deeper sleep and more…
