Cryotherapy Vs Electrotherapy

Athletes are always looking for ways to recover from injury in the fastest amount of time possible. Athletic training being my primary focus, I decided to look into the many options there are to choose from. I think that two common forms of recovery from injury are electrotherapy and cryotherapy. Both therapies aid in a specialty focus providing pain management. The purpose of this essay is to define, discuss the primary use, and to explain the similarities and differences between electrotherapy and cryotherapy. Electrotherapy is the use of electrical currents as a means of medical treatment. The Ultrasound, Laser treatment, Interferential, and Tens are a range of treatments that Electrotherapy covers. Electrotherapy is used worldwide as a form of treatment for soft tissue injuries such as ligament tears and tendinopathies. Some of the benefits of electrotherapy include the following: increased blood flow to the injured area (which promotes healing), reduced inflammation, decrease in pain, and break down of scar tissue and adhesions. Cases in which you should not use electrotherapy include the
It is often the immediate first aid applied as soon as possible helping to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. It is also beneficial alternating with heat after the acute stage has passed. Cold should always be applied immediately following an acute sports injury. The sooner cold and compression is applied the better, and only should be applied for the first 24 to 48 hours. Cryotherapy is usually divided into 4 steps known as RICE. R stands for rest, which prevents further injury and stops the existing injury from getting worse. I stands for ice. C is for compression for stopping and reducing swelling. E is for elevation to raise the injured limb higher than the heart so blood and tissue fluids can drain away from the area more