News & Case Studies - Equine Related

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF EQUINE SPORT Michael J Baxter Dip. An.

Thermo-Therapy © MJBAXTER
Permission for use to Zamar Spain for translation in Spanish
Pictures supplied on request with permission

The Used of Cold and Hot Therapy Applications for Sport Horses

Equine Thermo Therapy

The Thermo Therapy (Hot/Thermo, Cold/Cryro) therapy has been used for centuries. It has been used to treat pain, Tendon/Ligament Injuries; swellings (Haematoma/bruising), Bursitis; back pain and is often used for pre, post therapy for sports and especially during competition.   Many a horseman attests to the benefits of turning out a horse with lower leg problems in deep snow. The combined effects of muscle activity and cold reduce edema and improve movement. Yet, too few horse professionals recognize the usefulness of cyro therapy in preventing swelling or inflammation after exercise.

Using cold therapy to reduce swelling and pain of an acute injury is ages old.
A new method of administering equine Thermo (hot/Cold) therapy to horses has been developed.   The system is available in a choice of hot and cold or cold only options with factory set recommended temperatures from 3 degrees C to 50 degrees C

Zamar has produced a Thermo therapy machine that provides continuous and programmable equine warm or cold therapy combined with a massage function for the repair and general maintenance of sports horse’s.

Zamar units operate in a similar way to a refrigeration unit but have the capacity to heat as well as cool the area being treated.

Effects of Hot Cold Therapy

Effects of heat:

• Reduction of pain, increase circulation drains mediators of inflammation in the area. (Used prevent therapy for stiff backs and joints) This effect usually lasts for up to 4 hours.
• Increase the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles and stiffness.
• Increases edema (caution only 36-24 hours after injury) and drainage as well (subacute conditions used with cold)
• Nervous conductivity, increased, motor, the nerves more efficient with less stress
• Reduces muscle spasms due to the reduced function of the motor nerves.  That is the pain is reduced so muscle spasms begin to ease. Muscles go into spasm because of pain primary or secondary, the tightness of the spasm further heightens the pain and interferes with the circulatory flow, which reduces the oxygen flow to the area.  Any interference with the supply of oxygen may lead to degeneration and tissue death
• For each degree increased, the metabolic rate of the cell increases by 13%.  The importance of having the horses warmed up properly before hard work and to keep him warm enough in the stall before work.

Effects of Cold:

• Reduction of pain due to nervous conduction is slowed or blocked to the brain.
• Decreased flexibility and increased stiffness, due the constriction of the capillaries, too much cold has a rebound effect. The longer then 20 minutes.  Re vasoconstriction / vasodilatation a flushing effect chronic and sub acute therapy
• Reduced edema
• In some cases the mobility can be increased later due to the pain reduction in the muscles.
• Nervous conductivity slower

Cryo-Therapy (Cold-Therapy)

Recent acute injuries are best treated with the application of cold. Cold counteracts inflammation, tissue swelling and the accumulation of fluid in the injured tissue. The inflammation, which occurs immediately after a sprain or strain, causes cells to break open, releasing destructive enzymes, which interfere with healing in most circumstances. Cold and compression greatly reduces the spread of these enzymes. The secondary swelling in acute injury can cause more damage then the ordinal injury. This is the reason to apply cold 4-6 times a day in acute injury. Note no longer the 20 minutes rebound effect

There are many ways to apply cold to an injured part, from running cold water usually hose water is not cold enough and it’s a wasteful use of our resources.  Water application to the legs of a horse over long periods of time is not good for the horse's feet; therefore Zamar machine is a good alternate for therapy

Cryo-Therapy Following cold therapy treatment with the system, a proper and slow warm can give back normal circulation, restoring collagen elasticity while maintaining inhibition of pain. This allows therapeutic exercise in some situations. Discuss situations with your Veterinarian.

Therapeutic effects of Cryo-Therapy

• Muscle pain
• Severe bruises or Haematoma resulting from direct trauma such as a bite or kick
• Trauma from a concussion such as splints or bucked shins
• Swelling from surgery or an injury
• A reaction to an intermuscular injection
• Acute tendonitis

Techniques of Cryo- Therapy with Zamar  

1: Cryo-Massage and walk: Cooling and warming technique (sub-acute 36-48 hours after injury)  (for injuries, swellings, Haematoma,) The cooling pad is applied to the body part that needs with a slow continuous, circular movement, to prevent skin damage, the colder the better  (re thermo shock effect). 90 second cold, then walk the horse 4 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times. This works of restriction of the blood flow and then the increase blood flow. A flushing effect to reduce the swelling. Walking increases the circulation, and cold restricts and this effect helps to reduce the swelling so there is a better elastic healing of the tissue. 

2: Cryo- Therapy No Massage: This is used for Acute conditions, The horse experiences an initial cold sensation, then a burning sensation, followed by an aching sensation. The final stage, a numb sensation occurs in about 10 –15 minutes this therapy should stop at that stage. This effect is used to relieve acute pain, and reduce secondary swellings.  Note: Do not apply longer then 20 minutes, as you will cause a vasodilation (rebound effect)

3: Cryo- therapy with massage: Post event, therapy after competition. Note it is important to cool horse out after competition, re long slow trot to reduce muscle stress. Cold massage therapy is done after the proper cool down of all the muscles.  The best is after hard work is the Cryro and walk. 

Note: Watch for allergic reactions to cold, which include itching, swelling, hives, sweating and joint pain. Cryo-Therapy is most effective immediately after the injury. Following Cryo-Therapy compression is important to control swelling. While Cryo-Therapy should be limited to 12-15 minutes max 20 minutes, it should be repeated 2-3 times a day, for acute conditions,

THERAPY WITH HEAT

If you have ever rubbed some heat ointment on your sore muscles, you have an idea of how heat can help. It feels good to soak in a hot tub of water when your muscles, ligaments, or joints ache. Heat does the body good when it is sore with muscle pain.

relaxation of the muscles from sensation of the skin from the nerves. With moist heat there is a deeper penetration into the muscles and the effect is longer

4: Thermo Therapy and massage with moist heat: This is done for prevent therapy, stiff joints and back pain Withers and lumbar area.   Wrap the joint or area of pain with a wet towel, apply the heat pad on top, Temperature recommended 48-52 C. Time 20-30 minutes. After the heat is recommended to stretch passively, the area or joint.  3-4 times.  See pictures.

• Heat application for Carpal joint and Stretching
• Heat application for low back pain and stretching
• Heat application for kissing spines and muscle pain wither rest.  And stretching

Stretching Techniques (Warm and stretch) with Thermo therapy

Muscle pain and muscle asymmetry from pain from injuries and stress re: saddle pain develops symptoms of pain that persist or develop over time, present a special challenge to diagnose and to treat in horses. Horses can adapt and compensate by shifting weight from the injured area to another limb;  so many times the pain area is not the original cause. Unfortunately, this results in more strain on other parts of the body. When these compensatory changes exhaust the supporting structures, atrophy and lameness develop from disuse of the painful area.  Among the types of injuries and conditions, which can benefit from heat therapy combined with stretching and gymnastic training gives even a better effect.  

Preventive Therapy and care after a training session or competition can reduce muscle stress and speed the healing of micro damage of the tissues from hard work and ease the hock, back and knee stress from this pain and prevent minor problems from escalating into major ones.  Allow amble time to cool down your horse after work and then cold therapy his legs.  After use a light paint or body brace to increase the circulation to his hocks and muscles.

Therapeutic effects of Thermo-Therapy

• Tendonitis Chronic
• Bursitis
• Adhesive capsulitis
• Muscle soreness
• Hoof abscesses
• Back Pain
  
  

Note RE Muscle Pain:  Horses can adapt and compensate by shifting weight from the injured area to another limb; unfortunately, this results in more strain on other parts of the body. When these compensatory changes exhaust the supporting structures, atrophy and lameness develop from disuse of the painful area.

NOTE: With chronic injuries, it is essential to address the cause of pain and dysfunction, not just the symptoms.  Veterinarian evaluation of any in jury is advised before any Thermo Cryo therapy is started