The thought of jumping in a full-body cryo tank or an ice bath is overwhelming for many. The use of cold, however, is a long-standing treatment for muscle pain and inflammation.
As we explored in a recent blog post, even the ancient Egyptians mention cold therapy. But what about heat therapy? Heat is also an effective treatment to provide relief from soft tissue injuries. Heat therapy works by improving blood flow and circulation to the treatment area which allows for oxidation of the muscles and improved healing times.
So which should you choose? Hot or cold? You can achieve relief for sore muscles and joints without having to decide. Local cryotherapy might be a palatable answer to your painful ailments! At ReSet, we use the Cryo T-Shock device for physiotherapy to alternate between the two and get the best results from each.
Physiotherapy with Thermal Shock
According to our friends at Skin Science Solutions: “Alternating hot and cold (thermal shock) provokes vasodilation and vasoconstriction, causing an increase in blood flow in the treated area. Pain relief occurs almost immediately and offers long-lasting pain relief. In addition, the functional improvement of joints and the general well-being of the treated area matures quickly. The hyperthermic heating cycles followed by a resting phase, stimulate the opening-closing of the small vessels of the circle, optimizing revascularization.”
The thermal shock treatment is:
- Anti-inflammatory — The alternating heat and cold slows down cellular metabolism, which reduces the production and release of chemical inflammatory mediators
- Anti-edema (swelling) — Anti-inflammatory action and vasoconstriction limit adjacent tissue contamination
- Analgesic — Capable of inhibiting nerve endings, which slow nerve conduction of pain and reduce inflammation
- Muscle Relaxing — Rapid hot/cold exchanges reduce muscle stimulation
What is a Cryo T-Shock Physiotherapy Appointment like?
Treating an effective area is easy and comfortable. Each area is booked as a separate appointment lasting 15 minutes. For example, if you want to treat both feet or both shins, you book two appointments. Our certified therapists will apply gel to the area. They then monitor the programmed settings on our machine and glide a wand over the treatment area, delivering warm and cold in alternating patterns based on the type of issue — chronic or acute.
Uses of Cryo T-Shock for Pain and Inflammation
ReSet clients who’ve benefited from T-Shock physiotherapy appointments include in-season athletes and those with chronic pain or who are recovering from an injury. We are proud that some of our clients have used the treatments to compete regionally in soccer and nationally in gymnastics!
If you suffer from any of the below, we can help!
- Tennis/Golfers Elbow
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Calf/Hamstring Injury
- Soreness
- Strains
- Tears
- Pulled Muscles
- Swelling
- Tendonitis
- Shin Splints
Book an Appointment to Start Relieving Pain NOW!
