When to Use Cryotherapy and Superficial Heat (ex Ice Packs/Heating Pads)

 Indications For Cryotherapy: (When to Use)

• To decrease muscle spasm and spasticity
• Reduction of Bleeding and acute edema
• Pain reduction and control
• Acute trauma or inflammation
• Chronic Inflammation (tendinitis)
• Management of M.S.
• Cryokinetics, Cryostretch, to prepare for other PT treatments, or after workout/treatment

Precautions for Cryotherapy: (Be careful when using)

• Over a superficial main branch of a nerve or open wound
• With hypertension, poor sensation or poor mentation
• With very young or very old patients

Contraindications for Cryotherapy: (When to Avoid)

• Cold hypersensitivity (cold induced uticaria) or Cold intolerance (severe pain, numbness etc)
• Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria - release of hemoglobin into the urine from cold exposure
• Raynaud''s Phenomenon - Disease digital cyanosis
• Impaired circulation or Peripheral Vascular Disease

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Indications for Thermotherapy: (When to use)

• Before active exercise because of analgesic effects
• Before passive range of motion and stretching due to greater extensibility of connective tissue
• Before traction because of general relation
• Before massage for increased blood flow
• Muscle spasms
• Before Joint mobilizatio

Precautions for Thermotherapy: (can be treated with extra care)

• Pregnancy
• Impaired circulation
• Poor thermal regulation
• Edema, open wounds
• Cardiac insufficiency
• Metal in the area

Contraindications for Thermotherapy: (When to avoid)

• Recent or potential hemorrhage
• Thrombophelbitis 
• Impaired sensation or mentation
• Malignant tumor
• IR irradiation of the eyes