Physicool is a unique cooling bandage impregnated with rapidly evaporating alcohols. The alcohols react to the body heat and evaporate when the bandage is worn. This evaporative process draws heat out of the warmest source – local underlying tissue. Whilst the deep tissue is cooling down the compression will modify the inflammatory response, helping healing and recovery.
Physicool
THE SCIENCE. HOW PHYSICOOL WORKS
Thermographic Imaging
Research using thermographic imaging shows that a Physicool bandage applied to the lower leg reduced tissue temperature by 10°C after 10 minutes (image 4) and continued to fall.
- Image 1. Temperature before exercise
- Image 2. Temperature after 15 minutes of moderate exercise – no bandage
- Image 3. Temperature taken 5 minutes after the bandage was applied
- Image 4. Temperature 10 minutes after the bandage had been applied – showing a 7°C drop
- Image 5. Temperature 15 minutes after the bandage had been applied – showing a 10+°C drop
- Image 6. Temperature 60 minutes after the bandage had removed. The bandage was applied for 30 minutes
Each bandage will cool for 2 hours. The cooling benefits of Physicool outlast those of ice packs, sprays or gels.
The science of cooling by rapid evaporation
Evaporation is a process which involves a liquid changing to a gas. When a liquid evaporates it loses the warmest particles first, the remaining particles are cooler. Alcohol evaporates at a lower heat and at a faster rate than water. This gives a faster and greater rate of evaporation. The coolant draws the warmest particles away from the deeper tissues, which results in a cooling benefit.
Physicool cooling with open-cell technology
The Physicool bandage has been scientifically developed to bind the coolant to the surface of the bandage and ensure a sustained delivery of coolant. This is achieved through the unique weave of the bandage which employs open-cell technology which traps the coolant in the ‘cells’ and releases a continual cooling effect.
More coolant can be sprayed directly into the bandage if a further period of cooling is required. There is no need to remove the bandage to do this, due to the exceptional binding effect of Physicool.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy (cooling therapy) is widely used as a beneficial treatment in both the early management and the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries. The temperature of the underlying tissues is reduced by the withdrawal of heat away from the body to achieve a therapeutic effect; reducing tissue temperature, blood flow, pain, and metabolism in the affected area. When Physicool is used correctly, the bandage will feel warm to the touch on the outside.
Compression
Physicool combines compression and support with sustained cooling. Research shows that the therapeutic benefits of cold therapy are enhanced by the simultaneous compression of the affected area (Capps, 2007). The aim of compression is to stop haemorrhaging and reduce swelling.
