Pain and inflammation usually accompany most surgical procedures. These often hamper the rehabilitation process by reducing circulation and mobility. WBCT and local cryotherapy can have a powerful effect on reducing pain and inflammation, improving circulation and hence facilitating the rehabilitation and healing processes.
Benefits
- Biostimulating effect leading to faster recovery time
- Increased cellular metabolism
- Increased enzyme activity
- Increased circulation
- Increased oxygenation and nutrient supply to tissue
- Reduction in inflammation
- Release of nor-adrenaline which reduces inflammation,
- Increased anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin IL-10
- Decreases in pro-inflammatory interleukin IL-2 and chemokine IL-8
- Decrease in intercellular adhesion molecule-1
- Stabilisation of lysosomal enzymes
- Reduction in pain
- Interruption of development of pain memory
- WBCT allows for analgesic effect before exercise hence maintaining mobility
- Decreased swelling
- In the case of joint replacement surgery, WBCT induces a local cold therapy on the inflamed joint, reducing pain and inflammation, and allowing activation of the surrounding musculature. This prevents degeneration and muscle atrophy occurring. The higher joint mobility ensures a better oxygen and nutrient supply to the joint cartilage.