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Cryotherapy
of Dallas
 Also known as ice
therapy, this modality uses the application of cold hydrotherapy in the form
of ice packs to alleviate blood flow, swelling, and inflammation of the
contraction of blood vessels. Used in conjunction with heat, cryotherapy
can increase the circulation and remove wastes and toxins from an injured
area.
Pain
and muscle spasms are common responses to injury. Tendons and ligaments
are tissues that connect muscles and bones to each other and to the other
tissues.
Cold
applied to the area decreases the flow of this fluid into the tissues and
slows the release of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. Cold
decreases feeling in an area by reducing the ability of the nerve endings to
conduct impulses. The
basic building material of muscles, tendons and ligaments is a protein called
collagen. Under normal conditions, collagen acts like a rubber band. It stretches when tension is applied (as when we
pull a rubber band) and returns to its normal length when the tension is
released. However, when the collagen is stretched too far, it
tears. In this tearing process, blood vessels are torn and blood cells
and fluid escape into the spaces among the muscle fibers. This is
sometimes visible on the surface of the skin as a swollen, bruised area. Cold
also decreases the activity of cells to reduce swelling and internal bleeding
at the site of acute injury. Cooling the deep tissue also reduces muscle
spasm by reducing the muscle's ability to maintain a contraction. Because
cold reduces bleeding and swelling within injured tissue, it is best used in
the first 48 hours after an injury and usually longer after a surgery.
However, cold therapy (cryotherapy) is not for everyone. Cryotherapy
should not be used on persons who have circulatory problems or are unable to
respond or cannot feel cold.
Cryotherapy is also used by referral of
plastic surgeons after lymphatic massage of someone who has just had
liposuction or other types of plastic surgery to reduce swelling.
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