The best choice for local cryostimulation for animals

Rehabilitation / Physiotherapy / Sport / Biological regeneration / Wellness

Based on contemporary literature reports the following indications for cryostimulation should be considered, both as an independent method and as a component of the complex rehabilitation: 

Diseases of locomotor system: 

  • Inflammatory diseases of locomotor system
  • Arthrosis and secondary degeneration of spine and peripheral joints

Diseases of metabolic origin:

  • Periarticular inflammation in ligaments and joint capsule

Some skin diseases with affected joints

  • Inflammatory diseases of soft tissues: myositis, fibromyositis and collagenosis
  • post-traumatic or overloading changes in joints and soft tissues
  • discopathies

Biological regeneration of overloaded muscles: 

  • Decreases injury recovery time (up to 50%)
  • Helps reduce significantly DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) 
  • Increase in muscle strength
  • Inhibits inflammation and improves joint and tendons functioning
  • Reduces recovery time

Professional sport: 

  • Adjunctive biological regeneration (biostimulating effect)
  • Adjunctive endurance and strength training
  •  Acceleration of post-endurance restitution
  • Prophylaxis of locomotor system overloading, adjunctive
  • Post-traumatic treatment of soft tissues and joints (contusion, hematomas, distortion)
  • Adjunctive treatment of overloading syndromes in muscles, muscle attachments, joints and spine 

How Cryostimulation works

Cryostimulation is a short-term exposure of particular parts of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, trigger points) to extremely low temperatures (-112°F) with exposure time from 2 to 12 minutes.

This method takes advantage of stimulus, superficial action of extremely low temperatures applied in a short time to provoke and exploit physiological reactions to cold. It evokes many beneficial physiological effects: analgesic, neuromuscular, anti-inflammatory, anti oedematous and circulatory.

The main objective of cryostimulation applied as a preparation for intensive kinesitherapy is maximum cooling of the area adjacent to the organ (e.g. whole joint along with neighbouring muscles) to the value of 35.5°F-39.°F in reference to skin surface. In such a cryostimulation tissues are cooled by carbon dioxide (CO2) vapour.

Procedure

During the procedure an animal can stand. The operator is moving the treatment handpiece 1.2 in. over the skin surface in scanning movements. Time of procedure on one body area ranges from 30 seconds to 5 minutes, while in animal with fat deposition or robust musculature (a horse case) may be extended to 10 minutes.

If few areas are cooled during one procedure, its total time should not exceed 12 minutes. Cryostimulation procedure can be performed at the same time on maximum five joints of palm, foot and spine are counted as one group of small joints.

The cycle of local cryotherapy usually consists of 10-15 procedures performed once or twice a day. The minimal break between procedures should last 4-6 hours. 

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

1. Thermoregulation is activated

The process is completely tolerable, yet the body interprets the extreme cold as a threat to its wellbeing.

The temperature cold-receptors in the skin send this information to the brain, which responds with an attempt to restore balance. 

2. Vasoconstriction occurs

The first step the animal's body takes to protect its core temperature, is to redirect blood from superficial vessels and capillaries in the skin towards deeper structures.

This causes blood to flow from the periphery towards the central core.

3. Vasodilatation rebound occurs

The vessels and capillaries expand up to four times their normal diameter.

This causes a significant increase in blood flow to the skin and extremities, enriching cells with oxygen and enzymes to a much greater degree than under normal balanced conditions.

4. Hormones are released

B-endorphins are released, which act as the body's natural morphine.

This has a pain relieving effect throughout the whole body and also creates a sense of euphoria.

5. Reduced nerve conduction velocity

The cold exposure drastically reduces the animal's body ability to communicate pain signals.

After multiple sessions, the animal's body adapts its perception to pain stimuli.

6. Muscle relaxation takes place

Muscle relaxation leads to relief of muscle spasm.

7. Anti-inflamatory response

The animal’s body's white blood cells secrete small proteins (cytokines), which are used in cell signaling and ultimately affect the behaviour of other cells.

These proteins can be either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory.

During cryostimulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines are decreased and anti-inflammatory cytokines are increased. This causes a powerful anti-inflammatory response throughout the whole body.

8. Reduces oxidative stress

The animal’s body's total anti-oxidative status is increased. The body achieves an improved ability to eliminate free radicals, naturalize toxins and repair cellular damage.

9. Increased metabolism

As part of the animal's body's metabolic reheating mechanism, additional calories are burnt.

Reports suggest that multiple cryostimulation sessions lead to a longer term increase in metabolism, which can lead to weight loss.

Dave the kangaroo is suffering joint pain because of his arthritis, but Collection Manager Kathleen has the idea to try cryotherapy to see if they can achieve positive results, even though some people are sceptical about its effectiveness.

Source: YouTube, Animal Planet