Cryotherapy and stretching
The application of cold prior to stretching (cryostretching) compared to heat has been studied38,39 and has been advocated to decrease muscle tone and make the muscle less sensitive during stretch in healthy subjects.40 Cryotherapy is defined as “the lowering of tissue temperature by the withdrawal of heat from the body to achieve a therapeutic objective”.41 Cooling soft tissues in a lengthened position after stretching has been shown to promote more lasting increases in soft tissue length and minimize post stretch muscle soreness.42,43 When soft tissues are cooled in a lengthened position, increases in ROM are more readily maintained.44,45