Podiatry Medical Assistant Practice Test

Cryotherapy is the therapeutic use of cold to treat tissue injury and pain. Applying cold causes vasoconstriction, which limits swelling and inflammation, and it also slows nerve conduction to reduce pain. When liquid nitrogen is used, the temperature drop is extremely rapid and deep, allowing very targeted or widespread cooling for procedures like cryosurgery or quick reduction of inflammation in some injuries. This is distinct from thermotherapy, which uses heat to increase blood flow and tissue extensibility; hydrotherapy involves water at various temperatures as a medium for therapy; and massage is manual manipulation of soft tissues. So, the cold-focused approach described fits cryotherapy.