Cryotherapy

Give your equine partner the ultimate recovery experience with Equine Cyotherapy.

Equine Cryotherapy

I’m thrilled to announce that I am now offering the new modality of Equine Cryotherapy. Using state-of-the-art handheld equipment which provides targeted cold therapy to help treat a variety of conditions and injuries in horses.

Cryotherapy is a safe and effective way to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in our equine friends. It can be used to treat a range of conditions, from muscle tightness and strains to more serious injuries such as tendonitis or ligament damage. Additionally, cryotherapy can also be used as a preventative measure to help reduce the risk of injury in performance horses.

I have been trained in the latest techniques for equine cryotherapy and as usual am dedicated to providing the best possible care for your horse. I am committed to helping your horse recover quickly and get back to peak performance.

What is Cryotherapy/Cryo-stimulation?

“Cryo-stimulation” literally means “stimulation, using low temperature”

“Cryo” from the Latinised form of Greek, “kryos” for “icy cold” + “stimulation” – encouragement of something to make it develop or become more active.

Cryo-stimulation is used as a modality to stimulate a beneficial physiological response in the body.

How does it work?

Using the cooling power of carbon dioxide (CO₂) – the same as found in fire extinguishers. The CO₂is contained in liquid form in a gas cylinder. As the CO₂leaves the cylinder, it expands and cools to a very cold -78⁰F which forms a stream of cooling vapour which is applied to the skin/coat.

A handheld unit delivers a dry pressurised vapour to a localised area to be cooled rapidly from body temperature to 2⁰– 4⁰ within seconds. The temperature shock “Thermal Shock” causes the underlying blood vessel to constrict (vasoconstriction) as a way of protecting the body.

Once the cold is removed, the body quickly warms the area by increasing the blood vessels to approximately 4 times their original diameter (vasodialation). A rapid influx of freshly oxygenated blood saturates the tissue and brings with it, hormones, neurotransmitters and nutrients. At the same time, unwanted natural waste products and by-products produced in the body are removed from the area to be processed by the lymphatic system.

How is Equine Cryotherapy different to traditional Ice Therapies of the past?

Traditional tried and tested forms of ice therapies were restricted to treatment of the limbs only. The use of ice boots or having the horse stand in a bucket of ice.

Now, with the revolutionary handheld vapour and compression (massage technique) unit, we are, able to treat the “whole” horse, from poll to tail. The sophisticated device is unique in delivering both Ice and Compression in the form of a spray. The rapid cooling reduces treatment times to a fraction of traditional icing methods. Treatments range from 30 secs on a targeted area to 10-15mins for a full body treatment. There is NO recovery time necessary following an ice treatment.

Is it safe?

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) is completely safe and effective fore targeted treatments. There is no place for human error when using the Kaasen Equine handheld unit. It has dual temperature sensors, a thermal shock indicator, a light treatment time and an intelligent proximity sensor to ensure the optimal treatment every time.

Benefits

Whilst no treatment can legitimately make claims to cure everything and everyone, the research and results on humans using Cryotherapy is promising.

In humans, elite athletes are using it for recovery post exercise and for the treatment of injuries. Cryotherapy is now very popular in the cosmetic industry where it is used to promote collagen, reduce fat, improve skin quality along with the traditional use for arthritis, inflammation, muscle repair/release, migraines, cramps etc

Horses are extremely similar to humans in how their bodies accept therapies.

Pain Relief In reaction to the extreme cold, hormones including nor-epinephrine and B-endorphins are released which are powerful natural painkillers. This provides immediate pain relief and can enable earlier intervention following an injury.

Reduced Systemic Inflammation Stimulates immediate improvement in blood flow and lymphatic drainage. Promotes reduction of haematomas, oedemas and swelling.

Increased Speed of Rehabilitation Early intervention during vulnerability phase following injury or post-operative recovery will create optimum healing conditions.

Muscle Relaxation Muscles and joints can be 25% looser when manipulated -saving the skilled hands of the practitioner. Reduced systemic inflammation, reduces the muscle tension which increases the range of motion and allows faster and earlier rehabilitation.

Improved Performance Muscle fatigue and soreness are reduced. Regular cryotherapy treatments can increase muscle stamina and endurance.

How can Cryotherapy assit my horse?

Muscle/tendon/ligament strains, sprains & tears
Laminitis
Mudfever/skin conditions
Knocks & swellings
Bruising of bone
Oedemas/hematomas
Muscle and fascia release
Increased range of motion
Improved performance when used pre-exercise
Speeds up recovery time post-exercise

How many sessions are required?

There is no set mandated number of sessions required.

Research has shown that for acute conditions, it is best if 2-4 sessions are conducted in a week initially.

For maintenance a regular session (determined by the needs of the horse) is highly recommended. Like massage this is like asking how long is a piece of string? It is dependent on a few things such as the work load the horse is undertaking, how the body copes with the work, type of work.