By Olivia Parkinson
When you’re working out or playing sports, there is always the risk of injury. Even something relatively minor like a pulled muscle can be painful and can interfere with your training and process.
The use of ice baths, packs, and the cold in general is well documented when it comes to pain relief. You might be familiar with the classic practice of holding a bag of frozen peas to an injury.
Cold works as an anti-inflammatory and a numbing agent. It’s an effective treatment for chronic muscle pain, as well as pain caused by a strained or pulled muscle. Cold therapy can also prevent injuries when applied after a workout or training session, as it prevents your muscles from becoming sore and inflamed.
So, where does cryotherapy come into the picture?
As the name suggests, cryotherapy is a form of cold therapy. Much like an ice bath, it can soothe aching muscles and make you feel more rejuvenated. The extreme cold releases endorphins, which give you that quintessential boost you might want along with your pain therapy.
Unlike an ice bath, cryotherapy offers a concentrated and targeted form of therapy. You aren’t plunging your whole body into the cold, but you’re instead exposing specific parts of your body to extreme cold temperatures. This makes it ideal if you’re trying to treat an injury or you’ve been exercising certain muscle groups. It’s safe and controlled, and treatments tend to be very quick.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of cryotherapy, especially when compared to ice bath treatments, the infographic below includes some helpful information and imagery.
Infographic designed by cryotherapy Prosper Texas.