Many injuries, conditions and diseases are treated with cryotherapy. They include:

• Injuries and trauma pain. Strains and sprains are the most common type of condition treated with cryotherapy. It is usually used immediately after an injury to reduce pain and swelling. Cryotherapy may also help mild stress fractures (breaks in bone caused by repeated or unusual stress), but significant stress fractures and other fractures may need such treatments as a splint, cast or surgery.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons cautions that, with falls or other mishaps, sprains and fractures can happen together and that a serious sprain can cover up symptoms of a fracture. Individuals who think they may have suffered a fracture are advised to seek medical attention.

• Headaches. Cold therapy is sometimes used with patients who have headaches, including migraines. Application of cold can numb nerves and increase the patient’s pain threshold.
  
  

Orofacial pain and dental pain. Cryotherapy may reduce inflammation and pain.



TMJ disorder. Application of cold packs can relieve tender areas.

• Testicular and scrotal pain. Cryotherapy is a common home treatment for many types of this pain, but certain forms (e.g., testicular torsion) require immediate medical attention.
  

• Postsurgical pain. Patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery such as a joint replacement (arthroplasty) may wish to ask their physician if cryotherapy sprays are recommended to ease discomfort.

• Eye pain. A physician may recommend cool compresses to relieve eye strain or discomfort.
  
  
• Ear pain. Cold treatments may reduce swelling and pain caused by external injury to or near the ear.
  
  
• Arthritis (inflammation of the joints). Arthritic conditions, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, sometimes respond to cryotherapy. Arthritic conditions are also sometimes treated with heat (thermotherapy).
  


• Tendinitis and bursitis. Cryotherapy may help with these conditions, which are often caused by overuse.
  
  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Cold packs may reduce swelling caused by this nerve entrapment disorder.
  
  
• Neck pain. Most conditions affecting the neck cause pain and stiffness along the base and sides of the neck. However, problems with the structures of the neck can also cause pain over the top of the head (tension headache), pain over the upper back (neck strain and fibromyalgia), or pain over the shoulder (neck strain or a pinched nerve in the neck).
  
  
• Back pain. Many episodes of back pain are caused by muscle strain, which can be caused by sudden movements, falls, sports injuries or lifting heavy objects.
  
  
• Shoulder pain and elbow and arm pain. Patients experiencing arm pain are often advised to follow the four-step recovery regimen known as RICE – rest, ice, compression and elevation.
  
  
• Knee pain. Knee injuries commonly occur during sports and other types of exercise, but they can also be the result of falls, sprains or degenerative or inflammatory conditions.
  
  
• Other types of joint pain. Most people experience joint pain at some time during their lives. Pain can be the result of a short-term injury or condition, but can also be chronic (long term).
   
• Certain types of abdominal pain. Sucking on ice chips sometimes relieves mild pain in the abdomen.