| Cyotherapy, also known as cold therapy, is a highly | | | | Most if not all cold therapy injuries revolve around the |
| effective way to treat the pain and swelling | | | | leaving the system on for extended periods of time, |
| associated with orthopedic trauma and surgery. Cold | | | | thus resulting in a frost-bite like condition which can |
| therapy not only alleviates pain, but in some instances it | | | | result permanent nerve damage and skin issues. If you |
| can accelerate the healing process all-together. It does | | | | are using a cold therapy system, carefully follow your |
| this by decreasing fluid buildup thus reducing swelling in | | | | physician's instructions… when in doubt, limit the |
| the injured areas. (Swelling hinders recovery and | | | | duration of use to ten minutes at a time. Many cold |
| increases localized pain.) In addition, cold therapy slows | | | | therapy systems do not feature a built-in "kill switch" |
| the release of the chemicals that trigger pain and | | | | that shuts the system down after a certain amount of |
| inflammation, while also limiting the muscle's ability to | | | | time. If you are concerned that you may forget about |
| contract, thus reducing spasms. While there are many | | | | the contraption or accidentally leave it on too long, |
| benefits to the proper use of cold therapy, cold | | | | consider the Breg's 300 or Polar Care Kodiak |
| therapy can also cause harm if administered | | | | systems. These top-of-the-line cold therapy systems |
| incorrectly. | | | | feature built in timers to ensure you are never |
| Cold therapy systems are most frequently used | | | | exposed to cold for too long and they also come with |
| following orthopedic surgery. The system is similar to | | | | a variety of pads for the knee, ankle/foot, back and |
| an ice chest in appearance. It utilizes tubes and pads to | | | | shoulder. |
| circulate cold water that chill the affected body part. | | | | If you receive a cold therapy system, it is vital that |
| These devices are typically recommended by | | | | your doctor discuss proper use of the device, including |
| surgeons and physical therapist to their patients, who | | | | cold therapy time intervals. If you have developed any |
| then use these systems in the privacy of their homes. | | | | unusual systems following cold therapy, be sure to |
| In some stances, a physician or therapist may not | | | | contact your physician immediately. |
| provide clear instructions. In others, a patient does not | | | | Note: This information is not intended to supplement or |
| follow instructions precisely. No matter the reason, | | | | replace advice from a medical professional, or to |
| using a cold therapy system incorrectly can lead to | | | | diagnose or treat any condition. |
| serious injuries. | | | | |