Cryotherapy is a medical procedure in which an extremely cold liquid or an instrument called a cryoprobe is used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue.
Cryotherapy uses nitrogen or argon gas to create extremely cold temperatures to destroy diseased tissue. To destroy diseased tissue located outside the body, liquid nitrogen is applied directly with a cotton swab or spray device.
What does cryotherapy do to your body?
Cold therapy is also known as cryotherapy. It works by reducing blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain, especially around a joint or a tendon. It can temporarily reduce nerve activity, which can also relieve pain.
When should cryotherapy be used?
Doctors have long recommended using ice packs on injured and painful muscles. Doing so may increase blood circulation after the ice pack is removed, promoting healing and pain relief. A study published in 2000 found that cryotherapy offered temporary relief from the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Benefits of cryotherapy
- Reduces migraine symptoms. …
- Numbs nerve irritation. …
- Helps treat mood disorders. …
- Reduces arthritic pain. …
- May help treat low-risk tumors. …
- May help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. …
- Treats atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions.
Does cryotherapy really work?
One study found that whole-body cryotherapy was actually effective in short-term treatment.
For more info on this topic, ask your doctor.
References:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryothera
- https://www.healthline.com/health/cryotherapy-benefits
- https://www.medicinenet.com/cryotherapy/article.htm
