Cryotherapy: Faster rehabilitation?

Faster rehabilitation with Cryotherapy

Cold has been used in the world of medicine for centuries. The majority of therapists still use an ice cube or an ice pack, but there is still doubt as to whether this achieves the desired result. A higher skin temperature gives no result or a lesser result. A (too) low temperature increases the risk of burns and nerve damage.

We did the test!

Which application achieves the desired skin temperature of 12°C the fastest: an ice cube or a stream of cold air from the Gymna Cryoflow ICE-CT? We also looked at how the temperature continues to change during a 10-minute treatment session in order to detail the potential risks or any reduction in the result.

Method

We selected 11 test subjects (6 women, 5 men). In order to cool down the temperature of their skin, we apply friction with ice cubes on the left arm. Every 30 seconds, for a total of 10 minutes, we measure the skin’s temperature. We then cool down the right arm for 10 minutes using the cold air from the Gymna Cryoflow ICE-CT. The M. Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis tendon insertion serves as a reference point on both the left and right side.

Results

Using the Gymna Cryoflow ICE-CT, we achieved a skin temperature of an average of 12°C after 48 seconds. This took an average of 6 minutes using an ice cube. We also note that the temperature of the skin could be kept at a constant 12°C using the Gymna Cryoflow ICE-CT. The IR feedback system automatically adjusts the flow of air. What happens to the skin’s temperature during a 10-minute treatment session? The ice cube therapy results in skin temperature that continuously drops. The skin temperature in 54% of the test subjects dropped to 10°C or lower in 10 minutes. De Gymna Cryoflow ICE-CT can maintain the skin’s temperature (12°C) for 10 minutes.

Conclusions

Using the Gymna Cryoflow ICE-CT, we were able to reach the desired skin temperature more quickly than with an ice cube. The temperature was kept at the optimum level during treatment using the unique IR feedback system. The skin temperature continued to drop when using ice cubes, which could result in burns and nerve damage.

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