Can Cryotherapy Help With Back Pain Relief?
Backache can be a crushing condition, impacting both physical and mental well-being. While traditional treatments such as medications or surgery may help to relieve symptoms in some cases, many people are now turning to alternative therapies like cryotherapy for relief from their back pain. But can cryotherapy help with back pain?
This article will look into the scientific evidence of cryotherapy’s effectiveness for the relief of chronic back pain, who can benefit from localized cryotherapy, and how to get started with your first session.
Can cryotherapy help with back pain? Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a form of treatment that uses cold temperatures to treat various medical conditions. Recently, the utilization of cryotherapy for alleviating discomfort and optimizing well-being has seen a surge in popularity, even though it has been employed as a remedy for reducing pain for many years.
Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to temperatures ranging from -90°C (-130°F) to -140°C (-220°F) for brief periods of time, usually no longer than three minutes.
The potential advantages of cold therapy are numerous, ranging from pain relief to faster injury recovery to increased metabolic rate.
What is Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic back pain is a persistent and long-lasting type of pain that affects the lower back, upper back, and middle section. It can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle spasms, stiffness, numbness, or tingling in the affected area.
The exact cause of chronic low back pain can vary but it often results from an injury or medical condition such as arthritis, scoliosis, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease.
The most common causes of chronic low back pain include:
- Injuries to muscles and ligaments due to overuse.
- Poor posture.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Herniated discs.
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine).
- Fibromyalgia (chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain).
- Infections in the spine.
- Tumors in the spine.
- Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine).
- Trauma caused by accidents or falls.
Other less common causes include endometriosis in women, kidney stones, pelvic inflammatory disease, and certain types of cancer.
The main symptom associated with chronic low back pain is a constant dull ache which may become more intense when you move around too much or put pressure on your lower back region.
You may also experience sharp pains shooting through your lower body when you bend down suddenly or twist your torso quickly.
Other symptoms include muscle weakness, limited mobility, range-of-motion issues, difficulty sleeping due to discomfort, and fatigue due to lack of restful sleep.
In some cases, people might even feel numbness or tingling sensations radiating down their legs if they have nerve damage related to their condition.
For those suffering from chronic back pain, it is important to not rely solely on medication alone.
Lifestyle changes such as maintaining good posture, engaging in regular exercise, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, eating healthy balanced meals, and reducing stress through relaxation techniques will go a long way toward effective pain management.
Cryotherapy may be a viable option for low back pain relief. Let us explore how localized cryotherapy can help with chronic low back pain.
How Can Cryotherapy Help with Back Pain?
Cryotherapy, a novel therapy for low back pain, involves exposing the body to very cold temperatures through an ice bath or cryo chamber. The icy temperature is known to help reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and reduce muscle spasms.
Studies have shown that cryotherapy can help alleviate chronic lower back pain by reducing inflammation and improving mobility.
In one study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, participants who underwent regular sessions of whole-body cryotherapy reported reduced levels of both physical disability and psychological distress after just two weeks.
A study featured in the Journal of Pain also demonstrated that those treated with cryotherapy experienced a more noteworthy reduction in their low back pain than those who did not get any treatment.
Although there are many potential benefits associated with using cryotherapy as a method for relieving back pain, it’s important to note that there may also be some risks involved.
Potential side effects include skin irritation and frostbite from prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures, as well as hypothermia if proper safety precautions are not observed.
Before attempting cryotherapy as a potential treatment option for back pain, consult with your healthcare provider. It’s important to understand the potential risks and side effects associated with cryotherapy as well as other alternatives that may provide relief from back pain before making any decisions about which route of treatment is best for you.
With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at who might benefit most from using cryotherapy for their back pain symptoms.
(Source)
Who Should Consider Using Cryotherapy for Back Pain?
Cryotherapy can help reduce pain caused by muscle strains or sprains, arthritis, sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other degenerative spine conditions. It could also potentially reduce pain in the neck from whiplash injuries or cervical disc issues.
Before attempting cryotherapy for back pain, it is prudent to seek medical advice. Individuals who have had recent spine surgery or suffer from severe neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness should avoid using cryotherapy until cleared by their physician.
Individuals with heart conditions such as hypertension and arrhythmia should talk to their cardiologist about the potential dangers of cryo before booking an appointment for cryoablation or WBC.
If your doctor approves cryotherapy for your back pain and you decide that this is the treatment option you want to take, make sure you are well-prepared for your session.
Getting Started with Cryotherapy for Back Pain
Before booking a cryo session, make sure the facility and the practitioner are qualified. It is best to research and read reviews online, ask questions about safety protocols, and see if the staff has proper training.
Ask about the type of cryotherapy chamber or ice bath they use as there are various types available with different levels of effectiveness for treating back pain.
Prior to your first session, discuss your medical history with your practitioner to ensure that you are an appropriate candidate for this treatment modality. Ask what you should bring, what you should wear, and how long each session typically lasts.
During the treatment session, you may experience mild discomfort up to moderate pain depending on your tolerance level. However, these sensations should subside shortly after leaving the chamber.
Conclusion
Can cryotherapy help with back pain?
Cryotherapy might be an effective method for easing low back pain, but individual results may vary. Before beginning any treatment plan, it’s wise to consult with your healthcare provider and ensure that cryotherapy is an appropriate treatment for your back issues.
Discover the latest research and evidence-based solutions to help you manage back pain with cryotherapy. Take control of your health today and learn how smart living now can empower you to live a healthier, more independent life.
