Physicool: The Science. How Physicool Works
Physicool is a unique cooling bandage impregnated with rapidly evaporating alcohols. When the bandage is wrapped around a limb or body part the alcohols will react to the body heat and evaporate. This evaporative process draws heat out of the local underlying tissue. Whilst the deep tissue is cooling down the simultaneous compression will modify the inflammatory response, helping healing and recovery.
Thermographic Imaging
Research using thermographic imaging shows that when applying a Physicool bandage to the lower leg, the temperature of the tissue is reduced by 10°C after 10 minutes (image 4) and continues to fall.
Image 1. Temperature before exerciseImage 2. Temperature after 15 minutes of moderate exercise – no bandage
Image 3. Temperature taken 5 minutes after the bandage was applied
Image 4. Temperature 10 minutes after the bandage had been applied – showing a 7°C drop
Image 5. Temperature 15 minutes after the bandage had been applied – showing a 10+°C drop
Image 6. Temperature 60 minutes after the bandage had removed. The bandage was applied for 30 minutes
Each bandage will facilitate cooling for up to 2 hours. The cooling benefits of Physicool outlast those of ice packs, sprays or gels.
The science of cooling by rapid evaporation
Evaporation is a process which involves a liquid changing to a gas. When a liquid evaporates it loses the warmest particles first and the remaining particles are cooler. The coolant liquid in the bandage draws the warmest particles, the heat and inflammation, away from the deeper tissues, which results in a cooling effect.
Physicool cooling with open-cell technology
The Physicool bandage has been scientifically developed to bind the coolant to the surface of the bandage and ensure a sustained delivery of the coolant for two hours plus. This is achieved through the unique weave of the bandage which employs open-cell technology which traps the coolant in the ‘cells’ and releases a continual cooling effect.
More coolant can be sprayed directly into the bandage if a further period of cooling is required. There is no need to remove the bandage to do this, due to the exceptional binding effect of Physicool.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy (cooling therapy) is widely used as a beneficial treatment in both the early management and the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries. The temperature of the underlying tissues is reduced by the withdrawal of heat away from the body to achieve a therapeutic effect; reducing tissue temperature, blood flow, pain, and metabolism in the affected area. When Physicool is used correctly, the bandage will feel warm to the touch on the outside.
Cryotherapy is widely used as a beneficial treatment in both the early management and the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries (Kennett, 2007). The temperature of the underlying tissues is reduced by the withdrawal of heat energy away from the body to achieve a therapeutic effect; reducing tissue temperature, blood flow, pain, and metabolism in the affected area. When Physicool is used correctly, the bandage will feel warm to the touch on the outside. This indicates that the coolant is evaporating and drawing heat away from the affected area.
Following the removal of a Physicool bandage, the cooling process within the deeper tissues will continue as the skin and superficial tissues rewarm by drawing heat from the deeper tissues. This transfers cooling to the underlying tissues (Kennet, 2007).
Cryotherapy has many well-documented benefits including:
- Effective reduction of pain and swelling, with few complications (Swensen, 1996)
- Localised analgesic effect around the affected area which helps control pain (Bleakley, 2007)
- Decreases oedema and tissue swelling (Bleakley 2007)
References:
Kennet J, Hardaker N, Hobbs S, Selfe J; Cooling Efficiency of 4 Common Cryotherapeutic AgentsCompression
Physicool combines compression and support with sustained cooling. Research shows that the therapeutic benefits of cold therapy are enhanced by the simultaneous compression of the affected area (Capps, 2007). The aim of compression is to stop haemorrhaging and reduce swelling.
Unlike ice-based gels and sprays, Physicool combines compression and support with sustained cooling. Research shows that the therapeutic benefits of cold therapy are enhanced by the simultaneous compression of the affected area (Capps, 2007). The aim of compression is to stop haemorrhage (bleeding) and reduce swelling. Compression is applied to limit the amount of oedema (tissue swelling) caused by the release of fluid from the damaged capillaries into the surrounding tissues. Controlling the amount of inflammatory exudate helps to control the osmotic pressure of the tissue fluid in the injured area (Bekerom, 2012).