Biofreeze and CryoDerm are two types of cold therapy we offer at CRC - a treatment that many of our patients regularly use to get short-term pain relief for specific areas of the body.
What is Cold Therapy, You Ask?
Cold therapy, a type of cryotherapy, is when you apply a cold, gel or spray to your skin to relieve pain. Taking ice baths or applying ice to areas of your body are other forms of cryotherapy – you just might not have known it was called that!
“Cryo” stems from the Greek word “krous,” meaning frost, cold or icy. “Therapy” of course means treatment, and that’s why the use of ice or cold treatments on the body will fall under the cryotherapy umbrella.
Cold Therapy: The Benefits
Both brands of topical pain relief that we offer at CRC provide a cooling sensation to the skin, as well as tissue stimulation, after application.
Just how does it work? The menthol within the solution helps to block the nerves that contain pain signals to the brain. Other research supports the idea that menthol may stimulate cold receptors in the skin that may help regulate pain.
While we still encourage you to use ice, one of the benefits of using a gel, spray or a roll-on application is you can get blood flow to those areas you apply it to, but you can also remain active as the topical analgesic does its work!
Many people also prefer it to ice because it’s not quite as cold, and it isn’t uncomfortable like ice can be. (Plus, you don’t have to worry about what to do with your ice packs or bags of frozen peas like you do when using ice to treat the body.)
When It’s Used
Biofreeze and CryoDerm are both over the counter pain relievers. Our patients use them for the following reasons, to mention a few:
· Sports-related injuries, including sprains or strains
· Minor muscle aches and pain
· Joint pain relief
· Tendonitis
· Muscle cramps
· To reduce swelling
· Muscle soreness
· Faster recovery time
Whether you just had an extra difficult workout, an over-worked area of your body, or you have backaches, nagging arthritis, bruises, strains or sprains, cold therapy can provide you with safe, temporary relief. It can also help you maintain mobility and it may help reduce inflammation. Ask us for more information if you want to know more about how cold therapy can give you relief. Available in roll-on form, as a gel, and even as a spray, we can help you pick what’s best for you based on how you will be using it.
Tell us that you read this blog for a free sample so you can see how this hands-on relief works for you!