Whether you’re trying to rehab an injury naturally or you’re preparing for surgery and want to set yourself up a quick, comfortable recovery window, you’re pondering cold therapy as a treatment solution.
But - maybe you still have your doubts. Is cold therapy good for you - and if so, why? You’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to take a deep look a the benefits of cryotherapy and help you understand how it fits into your unique journey.
The fact of the matter is this:yes, cold therapy is good for you! It’s a simple, convenient way to manage pain and swelling and help you get back on your feet fast, living life as it was intended. And at Ortho Bracing, you’ll gain access to the premier selection of ice therapy machines at unbeatable prices to help you speed up your recovery timeline without breaking the bank.
Let’s start this conversation with a quick introduction to cold therapy below.
A Brief Introduction to Cold Therapy (Cryotherapy)
If you’re new to cold therapy, you’re about to be introduced to one of the most powerful healing modalities in the world. This is exactly what it sounds like - using freezing cold temperatures as part of your healing journey. But, we want to get a bit more specific for the sake of today’s conversation.
When you think of cold therapy, you may think of cold plunges in a tub. And while this practice undoubtedly has its time and place, that’s not necessarily what we’re here to talk about today. We’re speaking specifically of the usage of cold therapy machines - which deliver targeted treatment to a specific region of your body. That may be your knee, shoulder, ankle, hip, you name it - you can use an ice therapy machine for it.
The way this therapy works requires two separate components: the cooling unit and a pad. The cooling unit provides the constant flow of freezing cold water through a tube and into the pad - which is placed around the area of your body that you want to treat. We’ll talk more about specific systems you can use along your journey towards the end of this discussion. First, let’s get to the reason you came here today.
But, is Cold Therapy Good For You?
There are countless natural therapies out there claiming to deliver impressive results and help you along your road to recovery. Many of these overpromise and underdeliver - leaving you frustrated, disappointed, and in pain. Before you spend any of your hard-earned money on an ice machine, you want to feel confident that you’re getting a solution that works.
So, is cold therapy good for you? Is an ice machine a good investment to help you navigate the path to wellness?
The answer is yes - cold therapy is good for you. There’s no denying the fact that cold therapy machines are worth it. And below, we’ll take a deeper look at the three reasons why we feel this way.
Why is Cold Therapy Good For You?
Why is cold therapy good for you, though? What exactly does this treatment do that makes it such a valuable component of your healing journey?
We could get into the scientific jargon behind this therapy, but we’ll just summarize the benefits that matter most to you:these ice machines are the key to unlocking a quick, pain-free, comfortable healing process.And, you can cut back on the need for painkillers or other drugs. Below, we’ll take a deeper look at exactly how cryotherapy can help you along your healing journey.
Manage Pain and Swelling for a More Comfortable Recovery
Whether you’ve suffered an injury and are attempting to rehab it without surgery or you’re recovering from a procedure, there are two things you can expect in the road ahead: pain and swelling.
These greatly affect your quality of life in the meantime. And thus, managing them is one of your top priorities - so you can remain as comfortable as possible throughout this process.
And that’s where cryotherapy comes in.
When a body part is injured or undergoes surgery, it triggers an inflammatory response in the body. This response is a natural process that helps to promote healing, but it can also cause pain and swelling, which can hinder recovery. Cold therapy helps to reduce pain and swelling by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the affected area. This, in turn, decreases the amount of fluid that builds up in the tissue and reduces inflammation.
The use of cold therapy can also help to decrease the sensitivity of nerve endings in the affected area, which can further reduce pain. Additionally, cold therapy can help to limit the formation of scar tissue, which can improve the range of motion and reduce the risk of future injuries.
This alone is reason enough why cold therapy is good for you. But it’s not just about enjoying a more comfortable recovery process -this treatment method also serves as a “fast-forward button” to help you get back on your feet quicker!
Speed Up the Rehabilitation Process & Get Back on Your Feet Fast
Let’s face it - rehab sucks. Even if you’re able to effectively manage pain and swelling and keep yourself comfortable, you want to get back to living life as you once did. Whether you’re an athlete or just want to be able to move freely, you’re longing for the day you can live your life without limitations once again. And this is the other side of the cryotherapy coin.
As mentioned above, this type of treatment helps manage the inflammatory response after an injury or surgery. But, to get a bit more specific,it minimizes the time your body spends in the inflammation stage.This means cold therapy can help the body to move more quickly into the reparative phase of healing, where new tissue is formed and the injury begins to heal.
This treatment also helps improve your range of motion as you make your way out of the inflammatory response, so you can start to restore normal function in the injured limb.
All of this means that you can spend less time laid up in recovery. Life is short - and by harnessing the power of cryotherapy, you don’t have to waste any more time than necessary!
Keep Things Natural Without the Need for Pain Killers
But, perhaps most importantly, using cryotherapy to manage pain and swelling allows you to minimize - if not completely eliminate - the need for painkillers or other prescription drugs.
We’ve spent 20 years in the healthcare industry and have seen firsthand what the opioid epidemic is doing and the toll these drugs take on individuals. Not only are these drugs addictive, but they also come with harmful side effects. And in some cases, they can even delay your recovery process.
Quick Tips for Harnessing the Power of Cryotherapy Along Your Own Journey
So, is cold therapy cold good for you? Yep - no doubt about it. We’ve unpacked the three main reasons why. And there are countless others. You can even use cryotherapy machines to enhance recovery after exercise, reducing muscle soreness and getting ready for your next workout.
The question now is how to harness the power of cryotherapy for your own journey. And at Ortho Bracing, we can help you navigate the journey ahead with confidence.
When Does Cold Therapy Make Sense?
While there’s no denying the power of cold therapy, it has its time and place - as with any treatment method. It’s most effective early on in the recovery journey when you’re looking to jumpstart the healing process and get out of the inflammatory stage as quickly as possible.
However, at a certain point, cold therapy may hold you back from the next stage in the healing journey. Once you no longer have any pain or swelling, you may want to consider tapering off cryotherapy. You can learn more in our article on when to use cold therapy vs heat therapy. However, this is something your doctor can help you navigate with greater specificity to your unique situation.
How Long/Often Should You Do Cold Water Therapy?
Again - this is something your healthcare provider will help you determine based on your unique needs. After all, your specific injury/recovery process is unique. However, here are some general guidelines for both treatment durationand frequency based on the stage of your healing process:
- Acute Stage: This stage usually lasts for the first 48 to 72 hours after an injury or surgery. During this time, cold therapy can help to reduce pain and swelling. It is recommended to apply cold therapy for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day, with at least 1-2 hours of rest in between each session.
- Sub-Acute Stage: This stage typically lasts from 2 days to 2 weeks after an injury or surgery. During this time, cold therapy can continue to help manage pain and swelling. It is recommended to apply cold therapy for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times per day.
- Chronic Stage: This stage occurs after the acute and sub-acute stages and can last for several weeks or months. During this time, cold therapy can still be used to manage pain and swelling, but it may not be as effective as in the earlier stages. It is recommended to apply cold therapy for 15 to 20 minutes, 1 to 2 times per day, or as needed for pain relief.
It's important to note that cold therapy should not be used for extended periods of time, as this can cause tissue damage or even frostbite. Additionally, it's important to ensure that the affected area has good circulation, as cold therapy can impede blood flow if used improperly.
What Cold Therapy Machine is Right For You?
In our catalog, you’ll gain access to the premier selection of cryotherapy machines at prices that won’t break the bank. What’s more, we have the expertise necessary to empower you with the right equipment for your unique needs. You can reach out for a personalized recommendation today.
But, there are a few products we recommend to anyone interested in leveraging this technology for their recovery process. Breg products are regarded as the premier choice, and we have them all for you in our online storefront. That includes the Breg Polar Care Glacier, Breg Polar Care Kodiak Cold Therapy Unit, Breg Polar Care Wave Cold Therapy System, and the Breg Polar Care Cube Cold Therapy System. Each of these is unique in terms of features and use cases, so be sure to read through the differences to find the right choice.
You can also consider the Donjoy Iceman Clear 3 lineup - another unique and powerful solution to help you make your journey to wellness as quick and comfortable as possible. Both the Donjoy Iceman Classic 3 Cold Therapy Unit and the Donjoy Iceman Machine are excellent choices. We recently wrote an article comparing Donjoy vs Breg if you’d like to see the pros and cons of each brand and its products.
And, finally, you can consider the Aircast Cryo Cuff Cold Therapy Machine. This is another reputable brand we’re proud to source, and this particular unit combines the power of cold therapy with compression technology to supercharge healing!
Not sure which of these is right for you? We’re here to help - please don’t hesitate to reach out via our 24/7 live chat or via phone call. You can count on Ortho Bracing to help you get back on your feet fast!
Final Thoughts on Why Cold Therapy is Good For You
In summary, cold therapy is an excellent treatment option along your path to recovery - whether you’re rehabbing an injury naturally or recovering from a surgical operation. Why is cold therapy good for you, though? Three reasons:
- Manage pain and swelling for a comfortable recovery process
- Speed up the healing journey to get back on your feet fast
- Avoid the consequences of using pain killers & other drugs along the way
You can learn more in our blog - including how long to use the Breg Polar Care Cube or how to use the Breg Polar Care Cube for knee rehab. You can also learn how to clean Breg Polar Care Cubes.
At this point, there’s only one thing left to do - head over to Ortho Bracing and browse our catalog to find the equipment and supplies necessary to incorporate this treatment into your rehab process. We make it easy and affordable to leverage the power of cryotherapy from the comfort of your own home -shop now or reach out to our expert customer support team for your next steps!
At Ortho Bracing, we have a variety Cold Therapy Machines and other recovery products including:
Breg Polar Care Wave Cold Therapy System
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee Cold Therapy System
Breg Polar Care Cube Replacement Pads
Breg Polar Care Wave Knee, Hip & Shoulder Pads
