Cold therapy is one of the leading non-invasive forms of pain relief. Cooling the area slows down blood flow to the site of the injury thereby slowing circulation, reducing inflammation and associated pain. We have moved beyond the simple ice pack with a myriad of cold therapy devices now on the market. Read on to learn more about new advances in cold therapy.
Latest cold therapy products
Cryosaunas
Cryosaunas have been gaining popularity in the last six years with professional athletes. Reportedly, Floyd Mayweather used a cryosauna valued at £40,000 in the lead up to his fight against Manny Pacquiao in 2015. So what exactly does a cryo-dip entail?
A cryosauna is a chamber which administers whole body cold therapy. The chamber utilises gasiform nitrogen to lower the temperature of the skin surface by -1 – 10 degrees Celsius over a period of one to three minutes. Research is mixed as to whether cryosaunas provide additional benefits when compared to less expensive options of cryotherapy such as cold water baths or ice pack applications. And with a price tag upward of $60,000, we are glad to hear that’s the case.
Migraine caps
Applying an ice pack to the head is one of the most common forms of pain relief for migraine sufferers. In this case, extracting heat from the head region provides temporary relief from migraine pain. However, ice packs can be cumbersome. Enter – migraine caps. The cap fits snuggly to the head and covers the eyes to provide a solution which conforms to the body, provides darkness and cold therapy. Simply keep the migraine hat in the freezer until you need to use it.
Cool wraps and bandages
Cryotherapy wraps and cold bandages try to further the case for ice pack alternatives which both conform to the body and provide cold therapy. There are a range of wraps available some of which do not require refrigeration. The CoolXChange bandage for example can be kept in your car or first aid kit in order to provide cold therapy and compression on the go. Unlike ice packs, this bandage can be used for several hours at a time. Learn more about the technology here.
For more interesting posts, check out:
– Beginners’ guide to hot and cold therapy
– Sore back: ice or heat?
– Not forgotten: First aid kit contents checklist
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