Cryotherapy Flashcards
What is the purpose of cryotherapy?
- control inflammation
- reduce pain
- reduce edema
- reduce spasticity
- Control symptoms of MS
- Facilitate movement
What is vasocontriction?
direct stimulation of smooth muscles of blood vessel walls to contract
Decrease production and release of vasodilator mediators.
What is cold induced vasodilation?
Occurs when tissue temp. reaches 50 degrees
What are some neuromuscular effects of cryotherapy?
- decrease nerve conduction velocity
- decrease velocity the most for myelinated fibers A delta
What does cryo do for pain threshold?
- increases pain threshold
- reduction of muscle spasm
What does Ice do to muscle strength?
-strength decreases after cryo for <5 min
-
Can cryotherapy decrease spasticity?
True
What does cold do to metabolic rate?
decreases the metabolic rate
could decrease healing if overused
What are some contraindications for cryo?
- cold hypersensitivity
- Cold intolerance
- Raynauds’s phenom
What are some precautions for cryo?
- over a main branch of nerve
- over an open wound
- hypertension
- poor sensation
- very young or very old
How do you apply cryo ice pack?
10-20 min to control pain
30 min to control spasticity
Store in freezer at 23 degrees
How do you apply ice massage
5-10 minutes
