In general, physical preparation leads to muscle fatigue and even more so if they are frequent or high-performance athletes. This is known as muscle fatigue and is not different from the process where exercise routines require the greatest physical effort., resulting in a loss of physical capacity. Fortunately, There is cryotherapy which contributes to muscle relaxation. Learn how it is applied and each of its benefits!!
Index
cold therapy: What is it and why apply it??
cold therapy, the cryotherapy, It is one of the best known techniques of physiotherapy. It consists of eliminating the substances that generate heat in the body, producing a decrease in the tissues. Therefore, the main element are cold compresses or ice in different methods, which are applied in different areas of the body to obtain various effects. Its greatest application is in:
- improve circulation.
- Slow the conduction of nerves and tissues.
- counteract muscle contraction.
- Control of tense muscles, rigid and acute trauma.
- Increases collagen production in the skin and muscle tone.
- Decreased pain for some surgeries.
Cryotherapy has many benefits; Nevertheless, like everything, It has some disadvantages that will be mentioned later.. It has higher efficiency than heat therapy, since it acts more effectively if it is applied at the right time and if the problem to be attacked has not reached a serious stage.
What's more, lower temperatures cause a rapid slowdown in nerve conduction, respecting the temperature limits of 15°C on the skin, without going below 7°C.
Benefits of cryotherapy in athletes
the athletes, especially high performance, tend to suffer from muscle fatigue injuries. Regrettably, workouts cannot lessen your demand, so it is necessary for athletes to have some tools, in this case cryotherapy, for decrease muscle load.
Therefore, it is essential that they have at their disposal physiotherapists capable of attending them regularly to avoid injuries, sprains or tears that jeopardize their participation in any competition.
What are the disadvantages of cold therapy?
The disadvantages of cryotherapy are not many, but there are chances that some patient or athlete who has attended physiotherapy may have some side effects such as:
- cold burns.
- Paresthesia or tingling as a response of the circulatory or nervous system.
- Death of some part of the body tissue. Also known as necrosis.
- Fainting.
- Abdominal pain.
Cold therapy application time: Is there a maximum or minimum??
The time in which cryotherapy is applied varies, generally, Come in 10 O 15 minutes. Really, will depend on the area; that is to say, whether it is a small area such as hands or feet or a much larger area that requires a little more time.
However, cold therapy works pretty quickly. By this he means that, for instance, its analgesic effect will be found during the first 20 seconds and will disappear one hour after stopping therapy. Remember that temperature limitations must always be respected, because it could have consequences.