Front Matter

Chapter 7 Rehabilitation Physical Modalities 139

prior to trigger point pressure release techniques
(see Chapter  6) as well. In these ways, cryo­
therapy may promote greater cooperation from
canine patients who experience discomfort
with soft tissue techniques.
Cold application can also have positive
effects on the mobility of patients with neuro­
logical injury through a temporary reduction
of spasticity. A number of studies (Price et al.,
1993; Allison & Abraham, 2001) have demon­
strated measurable decreases in spasticity with
a resultant increase in active ROM and ease of
movement. Lee and colleagues achieved 30–60
minutes of spasticity relief following cold ther­
apy in rabbits affected by spastic paraplegia
due to spinal cord transection (Lee et al., 2002).

Therapeutic effects on muscle strength

Short periods of cryotherapy may promote
muscle force production. A neurological reha­
bilitation technique developed by Rood and
known as quick icing uses rapid movements of
ice over the skin as a sensory stimulus to
facilitate movement in individuals with
decreased muscle tone or impaired motor con­
trol (Cameron, 2013). Cryotherapy can also be
effective in counteracting the muscle inhibition
often associated with peripheral joint swelling,
such as quadriceps inhibition following stifle
injury or surgery. Evidence suggests that, for
human patients following anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) reconstruction, those who
received focal knee joint cryotherapy prior to
rehabilitation exercises experienced greater
strength gains (Hart et al., 2014). The therapist
should be aware, however, that when muscle
inhibition is not an issue, cooling a joint and
the surrounding tissues can decrease muscle
strength (Drinkwater & Behm, 2007; Hadler
et al., 2014) and joint proprioception (Torres
et al., 2016).

Considerations for clinical application

In the canine rehabilitation setting, cryotherapy
is typically provided with cold packs or ice
massage although devices that provide cold
and compression together are also being used
more. When determining which method to
use, the size and accessibility of the body part

should be considered as well as the patient’s toler­

ance of straps, massage, and/or compression.

Reusable cold packs include gel packs of

various sizes that can fit different body parts

and often include a sleeve to protect the skin

(Figure  7.2) as well as elastic straps to hold the

pack in place. Cold packs designed to fit specific

parts of the dog are also available (Figure 7.3).

Units that combine cold and compression are

now available for the canine patient. These

units often offer the ability to adjust several

treatment parameters (temperature, pressure,

time, etc.) and come with sleeves or wraps

designed to fit different areas of the patient

(Figure 7.4).

Figure 7.2 Cold packs are available in different sizes to

promote better fit to the treatment site.

Figure 7.3 An example of a cold pack specifically

designed to fit the canine patient. Source: Image courtesy

of CanineIcer.com.