ABSTRACT
Cryotherapy, or therapy with cold, is a widely used method in musculoskeletal trauma, post-surgical, miofascial pain, muscle spasm, spasticity and inflammatory conditions. Several techniques of cryotherapy are applied; however, its use is done indiscriminately. Although most of the studies point satisfactory effects of the cold use, there are still controversies related to the actual effectiveness of this modality, mainly related to inflammation and edema. The aim of this study was to seek scientific arguments that might help to clarify the role of cryotherapy and give a better scientific basis to the rehabilitation professional. The literature review in scientific databases and books pointed evidence of positive effects of cryotherapy in edema control. However, some studies pointed unsatisfactory effects. The differences observed in these studies are due to the fact that often the cryotherapy application is inadequate, thereby producing hasty conclusions. Based on this review, it is suggested that the cryotherapy is an effective resource when applied immediately after the trauma.
