During first aid sessions, students are taught different life-saving processes and first aid for man injuries to keep the patient stable till medical help arrives. One of the most common acronyms taught in such sessions is RICE or Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Whenever there is any injury related to bones or muscles, this is the first aid given immediately to reduce inflammation and pain. Ice is the best anti-inflammatory agent as it reduces the pain and inflammation due to the heat of increased blood flow/blood loss.
On the other hand, compression on the affected area reduces the swelling caused due to the inflammation process. Though both are different parts of the RICE process, the benefits of both can be leveraged simultaneously using cold therapy systems. Also known as cryotherapy, cold therapy is the application of a cold pack on the injured area. Cold not only numbs the body part but also reduces pain. The treatment also impacts the damaged part’s cells by reducing inflammation and accelerating the healing process.
Whenever there is any injury to bone, muscle, or ligament, swelling is imminent. But excessive swelling is a bad sign as it can lead to pain, loss of function of the specific body part, and severe cases, slowing down blood flow due to vessel restriction. Several medical studies prove that the active combination of cold therapy and compression is far more effective than mere cold therapy treatment. Compressing initiates a pumping action that reduces edema and fastens the healing by increasing blood flow to the injured part. There are special cold compression machines that enable deeper penetration and lasting effect by regularly circulating cold water.
All these benefits make cold therapy systems one of the most popular devices utilized in physical therapies. Physicians often recommend using cold therapy treatment after surgery or injury for faster recovery. Usually, people use ice packs for this purpose, but the effect doesn’t last long. To have the best results from cryotherapy, it is advised to use cold therapy devices. Now, let’s discuss some diagnoses where cold therapy systems have worked wonders.
Achilles Tendinopathy
The cold compression unit creates a high-pressure air pocket that entirely covers the ankle and heel for enhanced surface contact. This allows the better removal of body heat from the injured area, thus reducing the inflammation and pain. Apart from this, the active pneumatic compressions, which are similar to the body’s regular muscle contractions, stimulate the blood flow, and lower the edema.
Multiple Sclerosis
Several research pieces indicate that reduced body temperature than average can provide temporary relief from the painful symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Cold therapy systems provide cryotherapy that penetrates deeply, works faster, and lasts longer than other alternative therapies. Moreover, such cold therapy systems come with a wide range of warps, which allow the treatment of different body parts.
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
The wraps of cold compression therapy systems are fitted with an active temperature exchange unit that balances the wrist’s cold temperature and compression. This process immediately decreases the swelling and helps in reducing the inflammation and pain. The immediate reduction in edema results in lower pressure on the wrist nerve, a primary reason for the carpal tunnel’s pain.
Arthritis
Cryo cuff cold compression units provide deep penetration, thus benefitting patients with arthritis. The deep penetration offers instant relief from the pain of inflamed joints. The cold compression reduces the swelling and pumps the extra fluid that hurts the range of motion. The fresh and oxygenated blood is pumped to the affected area that repairs damaged and injured tissues and reduces further damage to the cells.
Scoliosis Pain
Scoliosis is often characterized by discomfort and pain. One of the most popular therapies to alleviate discomfort and pain is cryotherapy. In scoliosis pain cases, the cold compression unit creates a cold air pressure space covering the affected part entirely for better surface contact. This therapy can reduce pain by reducing the pain fiber nerve conduction and transmission.
There are specialized cold therapy systems available online that apply consistent pressure over the injured body area. These units also give concentrated compressions that help to reduce the fluid and pain at the injured site. These units come with wraps specially designed to cover body parts, the cryo cuff for knee, foot, back, shoulder, wrist, hip, and elbow.
Talk to your physician to check if cold therapy systems can help you with your muscular injuries and start the journey toward recovery.
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