What Is Cold Therapy?

Cold therapy or cryotherapy is one of the most extensively used therapeutic remedies for treating and soothing acute sport injuries. It is inexpensive, easy to apply and most importantly, extremely effective.

Cooling an injury lowers the temperature of the skin and underlying tissue. This cooling effect numbs the nerve endings to help reduce pain as well as reducing swelling. This reduction in pain, swelling, heat and redness effectively aids recovery.^2-4

The goal of cryotherapy is to reduce tissue temperature without damaging cells.² Unlike ice, Deep Freeze Cold Spray can help avoid complications such as frostbite and nerve damage, and in laboratory studies was found to be the coldest cooling spray when compared with other leading cooling sprays.^5,6

Cryotherapy allows the athlete to begin therapeutic exercise more quickly and more aggressively.²

Cryotherapy…may be used in the immediate and rehabilitative phases of injury management.⁴

When To Use Cold Therapy

For best results, use cold therapy the moment an injury occurs. That way you can freeze the pain and start thinking about getting back on form as soon as possible. Sometimes the pain, cramping and swelling makes itself felt after a game or a match. The same rule still applies – use cold therapy straight away for best results. Once you get home, continue your cold therapy with the Deep Freeze Cold Patch, which can be used up to 24-48 hours after your injury or as part of PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Why Use Cold Therapy?

Immediate application of cold therapy after a minor injury, knock or sprain instantly helps reduce pain and swelling. Timely treatment can also help minimise tissue damage. Cold therapy is a fast and simple way to get athletes and players back on their feet and back in the game or sporting activity.

Stretching after cold application is more effective than stretching alone or stretching after heat application.²