Treatment duration and temperature are diverse and depend on whether the goal is mainly
to generate secondary hyperaemia and reduce muscle tension, e.g. in preparing the patient
for physiotherapy or massage, or whether the first phase is the primary goal, slowing
metabolism and reducing the effects of trauma. Cryotherapy is often used as an analgesic
agent, and this effect can last for several hours. The manner of cryostimulation is also
influenced by the patient's age, physical condition, sensitivity to low temperature, or
existing disease and its severity [Kasprzak & Markowska 2008].
In some cases, excessive hyperaemia may worsen pain in the long-term (with a strong
inflammatory component). In this case cold therapy instead of cryotherapy is
recommended.