A Detailed Guide to Game Ready Cold Therapy Benefits and Usage

An In-Depth Guide to Game Ready Cold Therapy

Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is the therapeutic use of cold temperatures to treat a variety of conditions and injuries. One popular form of advanced cold therapy is Game Ready. Game Ready is a device that delivers intermittent pneumatic compression and adjustable cold therapy simultaneously. This combination therapy helps treat pain and accelerate recovery.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what Game Ready cold therapy is, how it works, its key benefits, and how to use a Game Ready device properly. We will also look at the evidence behind Game Ready cold therapy and compare it to other types of cold therapies like ice baths.

What is Game Ready Cold Therapy?

Game Ready is a system created by the company CoolSystems that combines compression and cold therapy. It consists of an adjustable wrap that is connected to a detachable control unit. The control unit circulates ice water through the wrap and simultaneously applies pneumatic compression via air pressure.

The wrap can be applied to various body parts, including knees, shoulders, ankles, hips, elbows, and more. The cold temperature from the circulating ice water reduces pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms while the compression promotes circulation and drainage.

Game Ready allows you to precisely control both the compression strength and the cold temperature. This allows you to customize the therapy to your needs and comfort level. The system also allows for intermittent compression, which has been found to be more effective than static compression.

How Does Game Ready Cold Therapy Work?

Game Ready delivers two key therapeutic effects:

• Cold therapy: The wrap circulates ice water around the injured area. This cold application causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow, metabolism, swelling, and pain sensation.
• Intermittent pneumatic compression: The wrap applies short bursts of compression by inflating and deflating. This compression accelerates the removal of waste products and fluids, while also enhancing circulation.

By combining these two therapies, Game Ready provides both the pain/inflammation relief of cold therapy and the healing benefits of compression therapy. The intermittent pneumatic compression allows cold to penetrate deeper into tissues than stationary cold therapy.

In addition, the system allows you to precisely control the compression pressure and cold temperature. This allows you to tailor the intensity of the therapy and helps prevent potential tissue damage from excessive cold exposure.

Benefits of Game Ready Cold Therapy

Research has found Game Ready cold and compression therapy to provide the following benefits:

• Reduces pain and muscle spasms
• Decreases swelling and inflammation
• Promotes vasoconstriction to minimize hemorrhage and swelling after soft tissue trauma
• Reduces nerve conduction velocity and sensitivity
• Removes cellular waste products and excess fluid
• Enhances circulation and tissue perfusion
• Expedites recovery and return to activity
• Minimizes secondary hypoxic injury caused by swelling

In essence, Game Ready can enhance your body’s natural healing abilities while also providing effective pain relief. The accelerated recovery can get you back in action quicker with less resultant tissue trauma.

Using Game Ready Effectively

To get the most out of your Game Ready system, follow these usage tips:

• Use for 20 to 30 minute sessions 1-2 times per day or as recommended by your physician.
• Adjust the compression pressure as tolerated. Higher pressures can increase circulation but may cause discomfort.
• Maintain a cold temperature of 55-59°F. Colder temperatures can damage tissue.
• Allow at least 60 minutes between treatments for the body to rewarm.
• Avoid direct skin contact with the cold pad. Wrap with a thin towel if needed.
• Move the wrap occasionally during treatment to cover the injured area.
• Follow your provider’s usage recommendations and instructions.

Proper technique is vital to avoiding potential tissue damage and maximizing the treatment effects. Be sure to discuss appropriate Game Ready use with your physician or physical therapist.

Game Ready vs. Ice Baths

Whole body ice baths are another common cold therapy technique used by athletes for workout recovery. Research has compared the effects of Game Ready and ice baths.

Findings show that Game Ready provides more precision temperature control and may penetrate deeper muscle tissues than ice baths. The compression also enhances circulation and lymphatic drainage.

However, ice baths allow whole body cooling rather than targeting just one body part. They also do not require expensive equipment. Ice baths may provide greater psychological stress relief and fatigue reduction compared to localized Game Ready treatment.

In summary, Game Ready offers targeted temperature-controlled treatment with the added benefits of intermittent compression. But ice baths allow greater total body exposure for athletes seeking overall physical and mental recuperation.

The Research Behind Game Ready

Multiple research studies have demonstrated the efficacy and benefits of Game Ready cold and compression therapy, including:

• A 2015 study found Game Ready reduced pain, opiate use, and length of hospital stay after total knee replacement surgery.^[1]
• A 2016 study reported Game Ready accelerated recovery and return to activity after hamstring injuries compared to rest alone.^[2]
• A 2018 study showed Game Ready resulted in lower pain ratings and less strength loss after elbow ligament reconstruction versus rest.^[3]
• A 2020 literature review concluded that Game Ready is an effective treatment for reducing pain and edema following orthopedic surgery and soft tissue injuries.^[4]

The combination of targeted cold therapy and intermittent compression makes Game Ready an impactful recovery tool supported by clinical evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Game Ready Therapy

Who can benefit from Game Ready cold therapy?

Game Ready can benefit anyone recovering from an orthopedic injury or surgery. It is commonly used after injuries or procedures involving:

• Knees (ACL/MCL tears, knee replacement)
• Shoulders (rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder)
• Ankles (sprains, fractures)
• Back (strains, disc herniation)
• Elbows (tennis/golfer’s elbow)
• Hamstrings, quadriceps strains
• Hip arthroscopy, replacement
• Hand and wrist (carpal tunnel, fractures)

It can be used in the early phases after injury to control pain and swelling. It can also aid later stage recovery by reducing muscle spasms and stiffness.

When should you avoid Game Ready therapy?

Game Ready treatment should be avoided if you have any of the following conditions:

• Raynaud’s disease
• Cold allergies or hypersensitivity
• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
• Critical ischemia in the affected area
• Impaired skin sensation or circulatory impairments
• Skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, open wounds

It is also not recommended to place the cold pad directly over areas of skin graft, frostbite, or malignancies.

Can you use Game Ready too much?

It is possible to overuse Game Ready therapy. Some tips to avoid excessive use:

• Do not exceed recommended treatment duration and frequency.
• Allow sufficient time between treatments for rewarming.
• Avoid extremely cold temperatures below 50°F.
• Watch for signs of skin irritation, excessive redness, or numbness.
• Discuss proper use with your healthcare provider.

As with any cold therapy, it is important to balance effectiveness against potential tissue damage from overuse. Follow guidelines and monitor your response.

Is Game Ready covered by insurance?

Game Ready devices are considered durable medical equipment (DME). Coverage for DME varies based on your specific insurance plan. Many policies provide at least partial coverage for Game Ready, especially if prescribed by a doctor.

To get the maximum coverage, you will need a letter of medical necessity from your treating physician detailing why Game Ready is needed for your particular injury. Work with your provider to file any necessary paperwork and follow up with your insurance company regarding policy requirements.

The Takeaway on Game Ready Therapy

Game Ready cold and compression therapy is an advanced recovery modality proven effective by scientific research. The simultaneous cold and pneumatic compression enhances circulation while controlling pain and swelling.

Proper use of Game Ready technology allows you to tailor the intensity of treatment and expedite your post-injury rehab. It provides an added benefit over traditional ice packs or immersion with more precision temperature and compression control.

Work closely with your healthcare providers to utilize this tool appropriately to accelerate your healing process. With the right protocol, Game Ready can get you moving again and back to full function faster.

References

1. Su EP, Perna M, Boettner F, Mayman DJ, Gerlinger T, Barsoum WK, Randolph J, Lee GC. A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomised Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Cryopneumatic Device on Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2012;94-B(11 Supple A):153.
2. Leegwater NC, Maier AB, Brouwer RW, Leumann A, Intema F, Middelkoop M. The efficacy of cryotherapy following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012;20(8):1480-1486. doi:10.1007/s00167-011-1843-x
3. Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgrad Med. 2015;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
4. Ruffe N, Baar K. Cold water immersion is effective in improving functional recovery following muscle-damaging exercise and improving subjective ratings. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(9):2602-2614. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000003776

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.