By now, you’ve probably heard about the numerous benefits that whole body cryotherapy offers, but you may not know about those offered by its popular, highly specific counterpart, localized cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is becoming popular among athletes and in sports medicine because of its numerous benefits compared to “traditional” recovery methods like ice baths and massages.
How Is Localized Cryotherapy Done?
Localized cryotherapy is delivered in just a single area in various ways, such as ice packs, ice baths, ice massages, and coolant sprays. Localized cryotherapy is an excellent way to facilitate recovery from injuries.
While you can enjoy the benefits of cryotherapy after a single session, you will see maximum results over multiple visits. However, always discuss and follow your doctor’s advice and recommendation for maximum benefits and to avoid adverse risks and side effects.
At Summit Chiropractic & Sports Institute, we fully believe that localized cryotherapy is one of the best ways for athletes to recover from muscular and musculoskeletal injuries due to the numerous benefits it provides.
Reduced Inflammation
You’ve also likely battled with inflammation if you’ve ever experienced tears, sprains, or strains to muscles and ligaments. While inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, it is also one of the main causes of pain after getting injured.
Localized cryotherapy is a great way to reduce blood flow, which helps control inflammation within the injured area, relieving pain and aiding in recovery. Additionally, cryotherapy can achieve the same results as an ice bath in just a fraction of the time.
Reducing inflammation plays a key role in getting your muscles back to tip-top shape following injuries or intense workouts.
Pain Relief
Localized cryotherapy helps reduce inflammation and improves antioxidant balance (they help prevent your cells from getting damaged) and increases beta-endorphins (a hormone that helps with pain relief).
Have you ever felt extremely tired and sore after an intense workout or straining game? This muscle soreness is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and cryotherapy can help treat and often prevent this from happening.
Increased Recovery Speed
The longer inflammation lasts following an injury or strenuous physical activity, the longer it will take for you to fully recover and return to your peak physicality. Due to the anti-inflammatory effects of localized cryotherapy, you can expect to spend less time recovering, and more time doing what you love.
We’ll Help You Get Back to the Best Version of Yourself
At Summit Chiropractic & Sports Institute, we treat various conditions using effective treatment methods to ensure you’re back to your best self as soon as possible. Whether you’ve been injured or are just looking to feel better, we are here to help.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us today for inquiries or talk to Dr. Lopez about Cryotherapy and how we can help.