The simplest way to describe what happens is to use the
analogy of applying ice to an injury. One of the oldest
treatments known to man is the application of ice to painful
areas. This dates back to the time of Hippocrates who among
his many accomplishments also wrote the first records detailing
“ice therapy”.
The application of ice serves two purposes. First it reduces
swelling and inflammation to the site at which it is applied
and secondly, it causes a mild “numbing” effect
for as long as it is applied. In fact applying ice is often
still the first line of treatment for minor injuries. Athletes
will often soak their elbows in ice baths or wrap their
knees and shoulders in ice after games to help reduce swelling
and muscle soreness afterwards.
Now think of how effective this “ice therapy”
could be if the ice could be applied directly to the area
of most pain (under the skin where the damaged tissue and
inflammation exist) instead of just on the surface of the
skin. In essence applying a concentrated ice pack directly
to the damaged and inflamed tissues involved. Better yet,
how about applying this ice pack directly on the nerves
responsible for transmitting the sensation of pain? Would
direct numbing of the nerve stop the sensation of pain?
Yes it can, and that's how cryosurgery helps relieve pain.
