Cold Therapy Flashcards
goals for ice
decrease pain reduce inflammation or swelling alleviate muscle spasm reduce spasticity management in multiple sclerosis cryostretch
evaporation
liquids that evaporate rapidly upon contact with warm objects - vapo-coolant spray
physiological effects of cryotherapy
- used in acute trauma
- decrease muscle spasm (decrease muscle spindle, increase GTO)
- decrease nerve conduction
- decrease pain/increase pain threshold
- decrease metabolism
- increase muscle strength
- increase joint stiffness
body tissue response to superficial localized cryotherapy: skin
temp falls rapidly
greatest temp change
body tissue response to superficial localized cryotherapy: subcutaneous tissue
temp falls less rapidly and smaller change
what shows the least temp change
muscle and joint
requires long cold exposure
when you have a small area cold application on the skin what happens
blanching of skin in center of contact area
why does blanching of the skin occur
vasoconstriction of skin capillaries
cold induced vasodilation
following prolonged cold exposure, occurs mostly in hands, feet and face
histamine rxn
allergic rxn
facial flush, puffy eyelids, etc.
can cause anaphylaxis with syncope
cold urticarial
erythema of the skin with wheal formation associated with severe itching due to histamine rxn
contraindications for ice
cold hypersensitivity cold intolerance cryoglobulinemia peripheral vascular disease severe impaired temperature sensation raynauds disease paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria over regenerating peripheral nerves
precautions for ice
hypertension impaired temp sensation open wound open superficial nerve cognitive changes
considerations for cryotherapy
accessibility body part if compression and elevated required size of area time since injury hypersensitivity contraindications/precautions passive
duration for ice
10-30mins
post treatment precautions
avoid excess stresses to area 1-2 hrs post treatment
ice massage
method: conduction
ice inside a paper cup massaged over very small area
what does a pt want to feel with ice massage
numbness
vapo-coolant
method: evaporation
reduce muscle spasm and desensitize trigger points
how to apply vapo-coolant
- hold 18-24” away from area
- spray at 30 degree angle and sweep spray over treatment area
- allow liquid to completely evaporate **DONT frost skin
- passive stretch after
- apply moist heat
- active exercise after
contrast bath
method: conduction
altenating btw cold and warm water
goal of contrast bath
produce vascular exercise through active vasodilation and vasoconstriction of blood vessels
helps with pain modulation
when do you use contrast baths
requiring peripheral circulation stimulation, sprains and strains
