Regeneration, Rehab, Technology
Welcome and thanks for visiting...
Is Cryotherapy Effective in Treating Sports Injuries?
Cryotherapy has become a buzzword in sports recovery, with athletes and fitness enthusiasts turning to this icy treatment to speed up healing and reduce injury downtime.
The method involves exposing the body to extreme cold and is often considered a solution for everything from sore muscles to sprains and inflammation. But does the science back up the hype? Understanding its benefits, potential drawbacks, and expert insights can help determine whether cryotherapy is effective for treating sports injuries or other frosty fads.
What Is Cryotherapy?
There is no one sort of cryotherapy. Instead, there are many different cryotherapy modalities that you can practice. Any therapy that exposes the body to extreme cold is considered cryotherapy, which includes ice baths, cryo-chambers and even cold showers.
The most intricate form of cryotherapy is the cryo-chamber, an enclosed chamber that exposes the body to air cooled by gases like nitrogen, nitrous oxide, and liquid carbon dioxide.
The idea is that the combination of the sub-zero temperatures and the gases used will freeze and eradicate the tissue in the body that is diseased or has some other sort of issue, like negative impact from sports injuries. Although cryotherapy isn’t intended to be a stand-alone medical treatment, it is widely used as a complement in cancer and skin treatments and injury recovery.
Cryotherapy is popular because it’s minimally invasive and versatile. Many athletes use cryotherapy after training sessions to benefit their muscles, but some also use it to complement other injury treatments like physiotherapy.
What Does a Cryotherapy Session Consist Of?
The type of cryotherapy treatment you choose will determine the nature of your therapy sessions. If you select an ice bath, you will plunge into a pool of water just above freezing. The idea is to sink in past your shoulders, breathe slowly and gently until you regulate your breath, and then stay in the water for a couple of minutes to reap the benefits of the practice.
If you choose a cryo-chamber, your treatment provider will apply freezing temperatures to the areas of concern on your body. You also have the option to stand in a chamber that treats your entire body at once. Once you have entered the chamber, unhealthy cells will not be able to survive the freezing temperatures and will die soon after the treatment, leaving your body rejuvenated.
The Benefits of Cryotherapy for Sports Injuries
Cryotherapy has many benefits for the body besides treating illnesses. In particular, sports and fitness enthusiasts can expect to find comfort and relief for injuries after a cryotherapy session.
Those who use cryotherapy after sports to heal injuries and muscles find pain relief and reduced swelling. Using it immediately after a training session or game also reduces muscle soreness.
Aside from relieving the general pain of training for, playing and recovering from sports-related events, cryotherapy also improves overall performance and boosts muscle power.
Another benefit is the improvement in mindset. In some instances, those who went into a cryo-chamber or took full-body ice baths reported feeling more positive and having a better sense of well-being. Reduced stress and a better mood are both things that could positively impact an athlete’s game.
Cryotherapy is effective in treating many sports-related injuries, such as runner's knee, tendonitis, sprains, and a myriad of swelling-related sports injuries. It is also effective in treating arthritis.
One of the best things about a cryotherapy chamber for sports injuries is that sessions generally last three to five minutes. This means the discomfort is significantly reduced, and the athlete can get back to their day relatively quickly.
Often, athletes feel like they don’t have enough time to dedicate to recovering from injuries due to the time it takes to complete a treatment. With cryotherapy, time isn’t an issue.
The Drawbacks of Cryotherapy
While cryotherapy is an excellent option for any sportsperson with an injury who wants a minimally invasive solution, you need a clear picture of the process and its drawbacks before booking a cryotherapy session. There are some key contraindications to cryotherapy, like:
- Heart problems. The body goes into a state of shock when entering any cryotherapy, which means that those with heart problems should not participate in treatment as it could lead to complications.
- Low blood pressure. The extreme cold in a cryo-chamber can cause blood pressure to drop and result in dizziness or even fainting. If you have low blood pressure, it might be best to partake in ice baths, where you will be able to build up your tolerance to less extreme temperatures over time.
- Pregnancy. Extreme temperatures of any kind are not recommended for anybody during pregnancy as they can lead to complications.
- Hypothyroidism and Raynaud’s Syndrome. Both of these disorders increase sensitivity to cold.
- Seizure disorders. Rapid changes in body temperature put stress on the nervous system, which can lead to a seizure.
- Cold urticaria. Cold allergies cause the skin to break out in hives when exposed to cold.
Cryotherapy Is a Complementary Treatment for Sports Injuries
Cryotherapy is an excellent option to add on to therapies like physiotherapy and other treatments overseen by doctors. Many sportspeople have found relief when using cryotherapy in tandem with other therapies, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It offers benefits like reducing muscle soreness and promoting recovery, but it’s essential to use it in conjunction with other established treatments.
As with any therapy, consider your medical history and individual health conditions to ensure safety, and consult with a health care professional before incorporating cryotherapy into your recovery routine.
