What is the medical term for the use of cold applications for treatment?

Cryotherapy is the medical term used to describe the application of cold as a therapeutic intervention. This technique is commonly utilized to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote recovery in various medical conditions. By exposing the body or a specific area to cold temperatures, cryotherapy can constrict blood vessels, which reduces blood flow and helps to numb tissue, thereby decreasing pain and swelling.

The practice of cryotherapy can also promote healing by decreasing metabolic activity in the affected tissues and reducing the risk of tissue damage in acute situations, such as sports injuries. This method is often used in physical therapy settings and can take various forms, such as ice packs, cold compresses, or specialized cryotherapy devices.

Other options like therapy or chiropractic do not specifically refer to cold applications; rather, they pertain to broader treatment modalities, while hypothermia refers to a dangerous medical condition caused by excessively low body temperature, which is not a therapeutic use of cold.