Cryotherapy Flashcards
What is cryotherapy used for in rehab settings (6)
- Control inflammation
- Control pain
- Control edema
- Reduce spasticity
- Control symptoms of MS
- Facilitate movement
What body systems does cryotherapy exert an effect on (3)
- Hemodynamic
- Neuromuscular
- Metabolic
What does cryotherapy cause in the hemodynamic system
Immediate vasoconstriction of blood vessels which causes a decrease in blood flow
How does cryotherapy cause vasoconstriction (4)
- Increases blood viscosity
- Decreases release of histamine and prostaglandins
- Smooth muscle contractions
- Increases sympathetic adrenergic activity
True or False:
Blood flow will increase when cryotherapy is applied eventually
True
Why does blood flow eventually increase
Due to vasodilation caused by the body trying to increase the temperature of the tissue to prevent death of the area
What is erythema
Reddening of the skin secondary to cold application
What causes erythema
Increase in oxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood
Which way does cryotherapy cause the oxygen hemoglobin dissociation curve to move
To the left
What are the 4 stages of cold
CBAN
What does CBAN stand for
Cold (intense)
Burning
Aching
Numbness
What does cryotherapy do to nerve conduction
Decreases nerve conduction velocity
How long does it take 5 minutes of cooling to be reversed
15 minutes
How long does it take 20 minutes of cooling to be reversed
30 minutes or more
Which type of fibers are most affected by cryotherapy
Myelinated and small diameter fibers
Which type of fibers are least affected by cryotherapy
Unmyelinated and large diameter fibers
What are the effects of cryotherapy on the neuromuscular system (4)
- Decreased nerve conduction velocity
- Increased pain threshold
- Altered muscle strength
- Facilitation of muscle contraction
How does cryotherapy increase pain threshold (3)
- Counter irritant via gate control
- Sensory NCV inhibition
- Reduced muscle spasm
True or False:
Isometric strength increases directly after 5 minutes of cooling
True
What happens to isometric strength after 30 minutes of cooling
Initially strength is decreased but after an hour it starts to increase to greater than precooling strength
How does cryotherapy decrease spasticity
Decreases gamma motor neuron, afferent spindle, and golgi tendon organ activity
How long does it take cryotherapy to reduce spasticity
10-30 minutes of cooling
How does brief application of cryotherapy facilitate muscle contraction
May stimulate alpha motor neurons in patients with upper motor neuron lesions for a few moments
What is the effect of cryotherapy on the metabolic system
Decrease metabolic rate