Cryotherapy refers to the medical use of cold for the treatment of various conditions.

Local cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen can be applied to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. At the Bargteheide Equine Clinic, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is used for the treatment of splints, soft tissue swelling, and chronic arthritic joints.

In a broader sense, any therapeutic application of cold may be described as cryotherapy. Cold hosing or the use of IceVibe© boots can be employed to reduce inflammatory swelling, for example in cases of acute tendon injury, as well as for the prevention and treatment of laminitis.