In typical cases, cryotherapy treats skin conditions like dermatitis or warts. Localized applications via ice packs, ice baths, coolant sprays and cryotherapy facials are used to remove blemishes and treat these skin conditions.
You can also use cryotherapy to remedy more severe cases like skin cancer because cryotherapy can remove abnormal cells through minimally invasive procedures such as cryoablation or cryosurgery. Surgical application of liquid nitrogen into affected areas can assist in the removal of cancerous cells or tumors.
What Are the Benefits of Cryotherapy?
Pain Alleviation
It has been observed that cryotherapy can also alleviate migraines. Research shows that putting a cold compress onto the carotid arteries on the neck decreases migraine’s debilitating effects. Additionally, empirical evidence points out that whole body cryotherapy soothes arthritic pains.
Cryotherapy is also used in the treatment of nerve-related pains. Cryotherapy can treat pinched nerves, acute injuries and chronic pains through medically administering small incisions and using a probe to freeze the affected tissue. The process is efficient because freezing temperatures tend to numb nerves and the corresponding pain in the process.
Treament of Mood Disorders?
The use of cryotherapy to induce a more natural release of hormones such as norepinephrine, adrenaline and endorphins is highly supplemental in treating mood disorders. The same studies posit that cryotherapy should be used as a supplemental addition to the psychiatric treatment of mood disorders and regular counseling.
Treatment of Low-Risk Tumors and Growths
The abnormal cells are frozen and killed off by inserting a cryoprobe into specific target spots. Some treatments require multiple sessions of cryotherapy.
Treatment of Skin Conditions
Cryotherapy and cryosurgery work by freezing and treating inflammation in the treatment areas. This process leads to an effective reduction in inflammation and immediate treatment of those skin-related problems.
Potential Risks of Cryotherapy
Physicians and those experienced with cryogenic therapy treatments know precisely how long one should be exposed to freezing temperatures used in the therapy. As a rule of thumb, cryotherapy sessions should not exceed four minutes in any specific area.