Cold therapy dates back to ancient Egypt around 2500 BC, with Greek, Chinese and Japanese civilisations all documenting its use for healing and recovery. Modern Cryostimulation began in 1978 and today, Cryostimulation is used globally across clinical, athletic and wellness settings – combining ancient practice with a growing modern evidence base spanning pain management, inflammation, […]
KEY DISTINCTION All forms involve cold-induced autonomic activation but they differ significantly in thermal conductivity, cooling depth, exposure area and physiological profile. Selecting the right modality depends on the treatment goal, injury stage and individual presentation.
Cryokinetics combines cold exposure with movement to support recovery. Cold reduces pain enough to allow safe, comfortable exercise – improving range of motion, maintaining neuromuscular activation and preventing stiffness.
Vascular and Systemic Effects Achieves superficial skin temperatures comparable to traditional icing with lower risk of cold-induced tissue injury. Rebound vasodilation after cold air may persist up to ~60 minutes, compared to ~30 minutes after icing (Korman et al., 2012). Can elicit contralateral effects – temperature changes in the non-treated limb, indicating a systemic reflex […]
Each form of Cryotherapy works differently, targets different physiological mechanisms and serves distinct clinical purposes. Below is a breakdown of all three.