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Mappin House, 4 Winsley St, London W1W 8HF
Mappin House, 4 Winsley St, London W1W 8HF
At MHV Clinic, we offer localised cryotherapy using the Kaasen device, designed and made in Britain. It delivers fast, precise cooling to one area of the body in a matter of seconds, so we can add it to your osteopathy treatment without a separate appointment or any downtime.
How it works
The Kaasen device releases a fine jet of carbon dioxide at around -78°C, aimed precisely at the painful area. Because the gas is so cold and moves so fast, it cools the skin from around 32°C to around 4°C in under 30 seconds.
That sudden drop is known as a thermal shock. It is this speed, rather than the cold alone, that sets it apart from an ice pack, which is slow and cools unevenly.
Targeted, not whole body
A chamber cools everything at once. Localised cryotherapy puts a much stronger cooling effect exactly where you need it and leaves the rest of your body alone.
Conditions
Localised cryotherapy is most useful for recent injuries, swelling and joint or tendon pain, usually alongside hands-on treatment.
We check the problem area and explain whether cryotherapy suits you.
A cold spray is moved over the area for a few minutes. It feels very cold, then tingly, and is not painful. It is often combined with hands-on treatment.
Advice on exercise and what to do at home. There is no downtime, and we review your progress at each visit.
Cryotherapy is not suitable for everyone. We will not use it if you have Raynaud’s, a cold allergy (cold urticaria), poor circulation in the area, reduced feeling in the skin, or broken skin over the area. If you are unsure, book an initial consultation and we will talk you through the options.
FAQs
Localised cryotherapy cools one specific area of the body, such as a knee, shoulder or the lower back, rather than the whole body. The Kaasen device sprays filtered liquid CO₂ through a handheld nozzle, taking the skin from around 32°C to around 4°C in under 30 seconds.
The device releases carbon dioxide at around -78°C, which cools the skin and the soft tissue underneath very quickly. This short, intense cold slows pain signals, narrows blood vessels to limit swelling, and is followed by fresh blood flow as the area warms again. Your clinician adjusts the nozzle, pressure and time to suit:
The size of the area.
How recent the problem is.
How sensitive your skin is.
Treating one area takes only a few minutes. Your first appointment also includes an assessment and aftercare advice, so allow a little longer for that visit.
It depends on the problem and how long you have had it. After your assessment your clinician will suggest a plan, and progress is reviewed at every visit.
No. It feels very cold, then tingly, and the feeling passes quickly once the spray stops. Your clinician keeps the nozzle moving and checks your skin throughout.
Localised cryotherapy is non-invasive and drug-free, and we check it suits you before treating. It may not be suitable if you have Raynaud’s, cold urticaria (an allergy to cold), poor circulation or reduced feeling in the area, or broken skin where we would treat. Tell us about any health conditions at your assessment.
An ice pack takes many minutes to cool the skin and cools it unevenly. The Kaasen device takes the skin from around 32°C to around 4°C in under 30 seconds, and the cold goes exactly where your clinician aims it. That fast drop is the thermal shock that helps calm pain and swelling.
Yes. Cryotherapy works well alongside osteopathy, sports massage and a home exercise plan. Easing pain and swelling first can make hands-on treatment and exercise more comfortable.