Cold Compression therapy is a proven method to aid in mending injuries and speed postoperative healing.The body reacts to any soft-tissue trauma, whether due to injury or surgery, by initiating the first stage of healing known as the inflammatory response. Immediately the blood vessels that have been traumatized begin to hemorrhage. At the same time, the traumatized cells release enzymes and proteins which (1) activate local pain receptors; (2) increase the permeability at the blood vessel walls; (3) attract immune chemicals and cells to the site via a rush of fluids which begin to accumulate and thus create edema (swelling). The excess fluid floods the site and separates healthy cells in the vicinity from their oxygen source. As a result, many healthy cells suffer secondary tissue damage called "hypoxic injury" which can cause more cell destruction and edema than the original trauma.
