University:
College
Course:
College Rehabilitation Medicine
Academic year:

2023
Views:

308

Pages:

21
Author:

Ramy M.

CRYOFLOW Definition •Cryoflow therapy is airflow cryotherapy. •It is a relatively new modality in the physical therapy field that ensures a constant temperature on the treatment area. •It cools down surrounding air for cryotherapy, which is suggested to be used for local anesthesia (analgesia) for pain relief, help to improve mobility, and for anti-inflammation by a combination of cold and compression with powerful cold air flow Airflow Cryotherapy •Cryoflow is a new standard being set in cryotherapy treatment. The cryoflow cools down surrounding air. •The treatment head determines the temperature at the treated area and ensures that the air flow automatically adjusts to the intended skin temperature. •This enables the therapist to set up his treatment very easily. Indication •1. Sports medicine •2. Sprains/ Strains (acute) •3. Bursitis, Tendinitis •4. Rheumatology •5. Pre Stretching of Muscles •6. Muscle spasm •7. Neuralgia Contraindications •1. Situations where the body is unable to cooperate with temperature changes because of allergy, hypersensitivity, or circulatory in-sufficiency •2. Cardiac or respiratory involvement •3. Peripheral vascular disease •4. Loss of thermal sensitivity Contraindications •5. Anesthetic skin •6. Cold-allergy •7. Raynaud’s disease •8. Cryoglobulinemia •9. Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria •10.Uncovered open wounds CLINICAL APPLICATION •Cryotherapy should always be carried out in two stages: 1. The first stage is the creation of the thermal shock, which means lowering the skin temperature as quick as possible. It is important that this shock appears quickly in order to avoid any adaptation of mechanisms of defense. it must appear in less than 3 minutes. 2. The second stage is the stabilization of the temperature, in which the ideal temperature is 12° C. Technique of application 1. The therapist situates the patient in a comfortable position. 2. position the treatment head on the required area. 3. The unique IR sensor measures the skin temperature and automatically regulates the air flow. This keeps the pre-set temperature constant and optimal during the treatment. 4. Fixes the temperature and from then the cryoflow device will automatically adapt its airflow in order to reach it continuously. Skin temperature: •Under normal circumstances the average skin temperature is around 34° C. • By measuring the skin temperature, the infrared sensor enables us to evaluate the stage of pathology (acute, subacute or chronic). •In a more acute phase there will obviously be more obvious signs of inflammation and therefore also a higher skin temperature. •In order to avoid inaccuracies in treatment, you always have to compare with a reference area: 1. The same joint but at the opposite (healthy) side 2. The upper joint at the same side of the injury 3. The lower joint at the same side of the injury The established temperatures can be described in a table below: 1 Treated area Opposite side Proximal of the area Distal of the area 2 3 4 5 6 7 indication temperature Treatment time Nozzle 12˚ C 14˚ C 16˚ C 0:15 0:10 0:10 15 mm 15 mm 25 mm 14˚ C 0:15 15 mm 14˚C 14˚C 16˚C 0:15 0:10 0:10 15 mm 5 mm 5 mm 14˚C 0:15 25 mm 14˚C 0:03 25 mm 12˚C 0:03 15 mm 15˚C 0:05 15 mm 1. Pain relief Acute Sub acute Chronic 2. Inflammation 3.Swelling Acute Subacute Chronic 4. Post-surgical 5. Spray & stretch 6.Trigger point 7. Shockwave therapy Thermal Shock In order to create a thermal shock, it is enough to take the intermediate nozzle (15 mm), to fix the temperature at 12° C, and place the tube 2 to 5 cm from the skin during 3 minutes. or 4 to 10 cm for more prolonged time. RICE concept: •The R.I.C.E technique is the golden standard in the treatment of acute injuries. It helps to decrease pain, reduce swelling and fasten the healing process. if applied correctly and in time, the RICE technique can greatly reduce the recovery time of an injury R = Rest I = Ice C = Compression E = Elevation In order to reduce the swelling, it is advised to elevate the treated area above the level of the heart