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Cold therapy may be applied using vapour coolants, ice, ice-water or cold packs for the treatment of acute soft tissue trauma, such as sprains and strains of muscle or tendon. In the case of sprays, ethyl chloride may be sprayed on to the skin and cooling is effected by evaporation. This is highly inflammable, and so precautions must be taken to eliminate fire hazards. Conductive cooling is the most widely used method, using ice or an antifreeze mixture applied to the skin for treatment periods of thirty minutes or so. Such methods would be used in the physiotherapy department.
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