5 Mistakes to Avoid When Practicing Perineal Cryotherapy
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Perineal cryotherapy is a therapeutic practice increasingly used to relieve pain and accelerate recovery after events such as childbirth , surgical interventions or inflammation.
By applying cold to the perineal area , this method helps reduce inflammation , soothe pain and stimulate healing. However, as with any treatment method, perineal cryotherapy must be performed correctly to reap its full benefits.
In this article, we will discuss five common mistakes that users can make when performing perineal cryotherapy . These mistakes, while seemingly minor, can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, it is essential to avoid them to fully enjoy the benefits of this technique.
What is perineal cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, in a general context, involves applying cold to an area of the body to reduce its temperature, which helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Perineal cryotherapy , more specifically, is a non-invasive method that involves placing a cold gel pack or similar device on the perineal area (located between the anus and genitals) to achieve therapeutic benefits. Find out which cryotherapy method is right for you based on your needs here .
This technique is mainly used in cases of postpartum pain , perineal trauma, pain after gynecological or urological surgery, and even to soothe the symptoms of certain pathologies such as hemorrhoids. However, for perineal cryotherapy to be effective, it is important to avoid certain common mistakes.
1. Forgetting to put your ice pack back in the freezer 🧊
One of the most common mistakes people make when practicing perineal cryotherapy is not putting the ice pack back in the freezer after use. This oversight may seem trivial, but it can make your future sessions ineffective.
Indeed, for cryotherapy to have an optimal effect on the perineal area, it is crucial that the gel pack is very cold. If you forget to put your pack back in the freezer after each use, the next time you need it, it will not be cold enough to produce the desired effect. The ideal temperature for cryotherapy must be low enough to cause vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), thus reducing inflammation and relieving pain.
💡 After each session, be sure to immediately return your gel pack to the freezer. If you use perineal cryotherapy regularly, it may be helpful to have several gel packs so you always have one ready. You can also set a reminder on your phone or a visible sticky note to remind you of this essential step.
2. Keep your gel pack warm
Another common mistake when using perineal cryotherapy is continuing to use the same gel pack even after it has warmed up. Many people continue to use a pack even after it has lost its cold, believing it still has a beneficial effect. However, for cryotherapy to be effective, it is essential that the pack's temperature remains low.
If the gel pack is warmed up , it will no longer be able to provide the intended benefits of reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Moreover, applying a warm pack can even cause the opposite effect, stimulating blood circulation in the area and increasing inflammation.
Tip : Do not continue using perineal cryotherapy once your ice pack has warmed up. If you need to use it for a longer period of time, take breaks between sessions to put the pack back in the freezer and wait until it is cold enough again before continuing. You can also alternate between several packs so you never use a pack that is too hot. 👉 I want ice packs
3. Perform perineal cryotherapy after a heavy meal
One of the often overlooked mistakes when performing perineal cryotherapy is performing it immediately after eating a large meal. While this may seem unrelated to the therapy itself, digestion and your body's handling of cryotherapy are closely linked.
After a heavy meal, your body is focused on the digestive process , which uses up a lot of resources and energy. Adding cryotherapy at this time can slow down the digestive process and lead to discomfort. Your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for digestion, conflicts with the effects of the cold, which can cause feelings of heaviness and discomfort.
💡 If you want to practice perineal cryotherapy, wait at least one to two hours after a meal before starting your session. This will give your body time to digest and prepare to benefit from the effects of the cold without disrupting its natural functioning. The idea is to give your body the best conditions to maximize the effectiveness of the therapy.
4. Performing perineal cryotherapy under extreme fatigue
Extreme fatigue can also impair the effectiveness of perineal cryotherapy . When a person is exhausted, their body is already in "energy-saving" mode. This means that the effects of the therapy may be less pronounced, and in some cases, cryotherapy can even be experienced as additional stress for an already weakened body.
Cold, while beneficial in normal times, can be poorly tolerated by a body in a state of extreme fatigue. This can lead to a feeling of discomfort or chills. In addition, fatigue affects the responsiveness of the nervous system, which can reduce the perception of the positive effects of the treatment.
💡 Before starting a cryotherapy session, make sure you are not in a state of intense fatigue. If you feel really exhausted, postpone the session until you have recovered. This will maximize the benefits of cryotherapy and improve your overall well-being.
5. Using cryotherapy without a protective cover
Finally, a common but potentially dangerous mistake is to apply the cold gel pack directly to the skin without any protection . The perineum is an extremely sensitive area, and direct exposure to intense cold can cause cold burns or skin irritation .
Directly applying ice or cold gel to the skin can not only be uncomfortable, but can also cause adverse effects such as redness, frostbite, or superficial lesions. A protective cover can help moderate the intensity of the cold while still ensuring a beneficial effect.
💡 Always use a suitable protective cover or, failing that, a thin towel between the gel pack and your skin. This will protect the delicate skin of the perineum from excessive exposure to the cold while ensuring the effectiveness of cryotherapy .
Conclusion
Perineal cryotherapy is a natural, non-invasive method that offers many benefits when performed correctly. However, some common mistakes, such as forgetting to put the ice pack back in the freezer, using a warmed pack, practicing after a heavy meal, when extremely tired, or without a protective cover, can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy and, in some cases, cause discomfort.
By avoiding these mistakes and following best practices, you can maximize the benefits of perineal cryotherapy, whether it's to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, or speed up recovery after trauma. Remember to always listen to your body and adapt the therapy to your specific needs to get the most out of it.🧊
