Chronic inflammation can contribute to constant pain through chemical and mechanical stimulation of pain receptors and free nerve endings, which commonly occurs in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Chronic pain is a crucial aspect in the management of many chronic diseases, as it can have a profound effect on the function of associated body parts and can significantly hamper the patient’s daily life.

Cryotherapy has existed and been used for the treatment of chronic pain for decades, dating back to the time of Hippocrates and still being frequently prescribed by doctors and physiotherapists today. It can be applied locally (for example, with ice packs or localized cryotherapy) or non-locally (for example, with whole-body cryotherapy), depending on the location of the pain.

Local and non-local applications of cryotherapy have been shown to be effective in reducing chronic pain associated with various chronic diseases, including those of rheumatic and degenerative origin, with best results when applied at temperatures of at least – 110 °C.