Cryotherapy Flashcards
In cryotherapy, heat transfer occurs through which mode
Conduction
Cryo is a Greek word meaning
Cold
What is cryotherapy
The practice of using cold for therapeutic purposes
The use of superficial cryo- agents and to lower soft tissue temperature and reduce swelling
What is Cryo- kinetics
Therapeutic application of cold combined with exercise
Cryotherapy is also known as
Ice application 
Cryotherapy cools the surface by:
Withdrawing heat and NOT by adding cold
(2nd law of thermodynamics)
Cryotherapy’s worldwide usage and spread is due to its
Effectiveness, convenience, easy application, and low cost
Cold therapy can be administered in 3 physical states of matter
Gaseous (spray)
Liquid (cold bath)
Solid (ice pack or ice cubes)
Almost all cryo-agents transfer heat through conduction except
Vapocoolant spray
Thermoconductivity of fat, skin, muscle
Fat K=0.45
Skin K=0.21
Muscle K=0.42
Subject to change according to environment
Ice is believed to control pain by:
-Promoting local anesthesia
- decreases edema
- Decreases nerve conduction velocities
- decreases cellular metabolism
- Decreases local blood flow
Ice is believed to control pain by
Promoting local anesthesia by:
Decreasing edema, nerve conduction velocity‘s, cellular metabolism, and local blood flow which promotes pain relief
The effect of cryotherapy depends on:
The method
the duration
temperature of the ice
depth of a subcutaneous fat
Methods of application for cryotherapy
Where is ice massage applied to
Small body area
Purpose of ice massage
Facilitate muscle activity
Ice massage treatment time
5-10 minutes until area is numb
What is being applied in ice massage
Ice lollipop
Ice cube wrapped in a towel
Ice massage is applied in ______________ motion
Circular
Structure of the ice pack
Semi-gel substance (silica usually) on the inside covered by a durable plastic layer
How is the ice pack applied
Directly to the skin wrapped with a wet towel
average treatment time for ice pack
10-20 minutes
Not advisable to place ice pack UNDER the treated area. Why?
Excessive cooling and local ischemia
Describe the rate of cooling for ice packs
The rate of initial cooling is rapid but decreases as a film of water forms between the pack and the skin
Why is there a damp towel placed between the skin and the ice pack
Ensure that the contact temperature remains at about zero Celsius
What are ice baths applied for
Extremities
What are ice baths
Immersion in water that contains ice cubes