Cryotherapy is an excellent way to help with muscle spasms in the body. This therapy is well known to help numb painful areas as well as provide a cooling relief to affected soft tissues. The therapy consists of applying cold compresses on to the skin to effectively reduce the temperature of the skin as well as constrict the blood vessels in the area.
If you are suffering from a muscle spasm or just recently had a soft tissue injury, cryotherapy is an excellent way to help reduce swelling and further injury in the early stages of your healing process. This therapy is rather inexpensive and is something that can be done at home as well as in the office.
Patients often ask "should I use heat or ice?" If you have had trauma and you can see swelling then you can apply ice. Do not apply directly to the skin. Wrap it in a towel and use it on the injured area for 20 minutes 2-3 times daily. If you are icing because of swelling then you have inflammation. Inflammation is the first step in your body's healing process. Allow inflammation to happen and rest for 3-5 days to avoid furthur injury. After a 3-5 day rest period try a short bout of activity, about 20 minutes. See how the injured area responds. Slowly return to your sport allowing a rest and recovery day between exercise.
