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Cryotherapy is the use of cold to treat pain or other conditions. The term also refers to the use of extreme cold, usually by means of liquid nitrogen, to destroy tissue such as skin lesions or certain forms of cancer.
Cold is used to treat both acute and chronic pain. Heat is also sometimes used to treat chronic and acute pain after the initial 48 hours, when cold is used to reduce swelling (see Thermotherapy).
Cryotherapy is a common home treatment and is used in healthcare settings as well. It can be used to treat numerous  injuries, conditions and diseases including fractures, strains, sprains, back pain, neck pain, headaches and arthritis.
Cold can be applied using several methods, including ice, ice massage and cooling sprays. It can be applied for 10 to 20 minutes for up to two days after an injury. Among the benefits of cryotherapy are that it is fast, easy to use and cost-effective. Cryotherapy should not be used to treat such conditions as poor circulation, Raynaud syndrome (a condition in which the smallest arteries that deliver blood to the fingers and toes constrict when exposed to cold or during emotional upheaval) and vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). Patients who have concerns about using cryotherapy at home are advised to consult their healthcare provider first. | 
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