10/21/2025
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, commonly referred to as cold therapy, involves exposing the body to cold temperatures for several minutes. The science behind Cryotherapy is rooted in its ability to induce a rapid constriction of blood vessels, followed by a dilation as the body warms back up. This process, known as vasoconstriction, reduces blood flow to the treated areas, greatly decreasing inflammation and swelling. Once the treatment ends and the tissues warm back up, there is a natural increase in blood flow, which enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery, speeding up the recovery process.
Equine Cryotherapy helps to:
✅Pain Relief: The cold exposure numbs the treated area, providing immediate relief from chronic pain and soreness, making it ideal for performance horses. Rooted in an understanding of Melzack's Gate Control Theory of Pain, Cryotherapy restricts pain signals through “closing” the gate for cold sensitive receptors at spinal level. The mechanisms by which equine Cryotherapy addresses pain relief is via a reduction in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and muscle spasms.
✅Reduce Inflammation: The cold reduces swelling and inflammation, which can be beneficial for horses recovering from injuries or surgeries. Similarly to the mechanisms responsible for pain relief, cold-induced analgesia, as well as reduced cellular metabolic demands, provide inflammatory symptom alleviation.
✅Enhance Recovery: By stimulating blood flow and oxygen delivery, Cryotherapy accelerates the healing process, helping horses to recover faster. Decreased collagen pliability, and the resulting reduced mobility, within injured areas, allowing for greater stabilization and healing outcomes.
✅Prevent Injuries: Regular sessions can help reduce the risk of injuries by increasing the tissue's ability to withstand the stress of high-level performance.
A wonderful blog wrote by a performance vet: https://www.frequine.com/services/blog/embracing-chill-impact-cryotherapy-equine-health #:~:text=Regular%20Cryotherapy%20sessions%20can%20boost,to%20shine%20in%20their%20sport.
