cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is the therapeutic use of extreme cold to treat medical conditions or alleviate symptoms. It encompasses local applications that affect a small area and whole-body approaches that expose the entire body to cold. Local cryotherapy methods include ice packs, cold compresses, cold sprays, ice baths for a limb, and devices delivering cooled air or liquid to a targeted region. Whole-body cryotherapy uses a specialized chamber or enclosure to expose a person to very cold air for short periods.

The intended effects of cryotherapy arise from rapid reductions in tissue temperature, which can decrease metabolic activity, nerve conduction velocity, blood flow, swelling, and inflammation. These changes may yield temporary analgesia and reduced pain perception, and in some cases may aid recovery from injury or surgery. Cryotherapy is used in dermatology for certain skin lesions and in oncology for cryoablation of tumors in specific settings. In sports medicine, it is often employed as part of recovery protocols after strenuous training or competition.

Evidence regarding clinical benefits is mixed. Some reviews report short-term pain relief or reduced swelling in acute injuries, while others find limited or inconsistent data for long-term functional outcomes. Whole-body cryotherapy has limited robust evidence for performance or recovery advantages and carries safety concerns. Potential risks include frostbite or burns to the skin, nerve injury, numbness, and transient cardiovascular or respiratory stress. Rare but serious events can occur with improper use, particularly in unsupervised settings.

Contraindications include cold intolerance, cryoglobulinemia, cryofibrinemia, paroxysmal cold urticaria, active frostbite, severe peripheral vascular disease, certain cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, and pregnancy in some protocols. As with any medical treatment, patients should use cryotherapy under professional supervision and follow established guidelines.