peripheral cold thermoreceptors in the subcutaneous tissues cause a reflex stimulation of sympathetic nerves to increase the tone of the muscle surrounding cutaneous blood vessels in the area being cooled
what are some of the physiological effects superficial cold
slows down acute inflammation and swelling
decreased metabolism – direct
decreased blood flow – direct
muscle relaxation – reflex
decreased pain – direct
decreased nerve conduction velocity – direct
decrease elasticity
what are some of the therapeutic benefits of cold
decrease inflammation response – edema and pain
decrease muscle spasm and spasticity
decreased pain
What are some potential ways to apply superficial cold?
homemade pacs
rubbing alcohol/water (4:1)
crushed ice
frozen veggies
how do you apply a cold pack
inspect skin (if push skin, should turn red to refill
cover pack with one damp towel (allows cooling to occur faster)
15 min. treatment duration
inspect skin (check for frostbite)
is ice massage for large areas or small areas
small areas
true or false – ice massage should always be followed by range of motion activities or friction massage
true
should ice massage be used on everyone
no
how do you apply an ice massage
freeze water cup
inspect skin
rub area in small circles
have towels available
5 – 10 min. duration
what is the sensations a patient will feel when applying ice massage
cold
acute pain
ache
numbness
what are the two types of vapocoolant sprays
ethyl chloride
fluori-methane
what are some of the characteristics of ethyl chloride
flammable
intense cooling
what are some of the characteristics of fluori-methane
effects of zone
not as intense
What happens if you spray too close to the skin with spray and stretch?
you could potentially get frostbite
(this is how you freeze off warts)
explain the spray and stretch technique
inspect skin
body part relaxed
sweep slowly, origin to insertion of muscle, bottle 45 cm from skin
sweep several times
stretch, repeat 1 – 2 times
what are the contraindications of cold
peripheral vascular disease (vasoconstriction)
cold hypersensitivity (may cause hives or produce asthma)
raynaud's disease: hands & feet vasoconstrict
area of prior frostbite: tissue may completely die