Cryokinetics is a rehabilitation technique involving ice application followed by progressive active exercises. It has been shown to be very sucessful in treating ligament sprains.
Cryokinetics basically allows exercise which is pain-free, relatively soon after the injury. The anaesthesia or numbness arising from ice application does not remove pain sensing mechanisms, it only removes the current pain from tissue damage. So if active exercises are too vigorous pain will still occur.
Cryokinetics explained
Cold should be applied for a maximum of twenty minutes which should be sufficient to produce the numbed response which is required. The process can be repeated for 5 minutes to re-numb the area if necessary.
The exercises performed during cryokinetics are active which means the patient performs them independently of any help from a therapist. They should be gradually increased in intensity providing they remain pain free.
The key to the success of cryokinetics appears to be progressing as quickly as possible from one exercise to the other. Unlike conventional rehabilitation programs where a certain number of reps must be completed, if the athlete can perform the exercise, smoothy and pain free then they can progress.
Benefits of cryokinetics
Exercise increases blood flow to the injured area, vital in healing, once the initial acute phase has passed and any bleeding has stopped.
Cryokinetic exercise re-establishes neuromuscular function and is possible much earlier that normal and as such atrophy or wasting of the muscles has not had time to set in.
Swelling in reduced dramatically through the combination of cooling and exercise.
