Effect of whole body cryotherapy with spinal decompression on cervical disc herniation by digital infrared thermal imaging

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects and safety of whole body cryotherapy (WBC) and spinal decompression on the pain, cervical function, and body surface temperature of cervical herniated nucleus pulposus (CHNP) patients. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 patients (6 males and 14 females) with cervical disc herniation (C5-6) who visited Hospital S in Daejeon, Korea. [Methods] Treatment Group 1 (3 males and 7 females) received interference current therapy, ultrasonic therapy, spinal decompression therapy, and WBC. Treatment Group 2 (2 males and 8 females) received interference current therapy, ultrasonic therapy, and spinal decompression therapy. [Results] Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and differences in body surface temperatures between left and right upper extremity muscles decreased after treatment compared to prior to treatment. The group receiving spinal decompression and WBC application had a greater degree of change in VAS and NDI. However, change of body surface temperatures of the upper extremities after treatment between the two treatment groups was not statisticaly significant. [Conclusion] A combination of spinal decompression therapy and WBC offers a safe and appropriate treatment for cervical disc herniation.