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January 2025
The global cold pain therapy market size is calculated at USD 2.49 billion in 2024, grew to USD 2.59 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach around USD 3.70 billion by 2034. The market is expanding at a CAGR of 4.04% between 2025 and 2034. The growing demand for home healthcare, the rising prevalence of pain, and the increasing need for nonpharmacological therapy drive the market.
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Cold pain therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is a nonpharmacological treatment that involves using a cold bag to relieve pain symptoms. It is generally applied using ice packs, coolant sprays, ice massage, whirlpools, and ice baths. It can treat pain due to a runner’s knee, tendonitis, sprains, arthritis pain, lower back pain, etc. Cold therapy is recommended with other measures such as rest, compression, elevation, pain medicine, or rehabilitation exercises. It acts by lowering the skin temperature, temporarily reducing nerve activity, and ultimately reducing pain and swelling. The other physiological effects of cold therapy include a reduction in blood flow, edema, inflammation, muscle spasms, and metabolic demand.
The rising prevalence of pain due to several sports injuries and other infections and diseases increases the need for cold therapy. The increasing incidences of arthritis and other types of joint pain facilitate the use of cold pain therapy. The rising geriatric population leads to a growing demand for home healthcare, augmenting market growth. The advent of advanced technologies drives the latest innovations in cold therapy, leading to novel and innovative devices.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been shown to play a pivotal role in the healthcare sector, having a wide range of applications from disease diagnosis to treatment. AI can be used for pain recognition through pain detection and pain intensity assessment. This enables healthcare professionals to suggest effective treatment regimens to patients. AI can help researchers to develop personalized devices for cold therapy. It can also suggest materials that are safe for human use and provide desired outcomes. It can be incorporated into the manufacturing of such devices to improve efficiency and precision, leading to better treatment outcomes. AI-based sensors can monitor the real-time therapeutic temperature and time. Sensors can help to automatically shut off the cooling for defined time intervals.
Growing Demand for Nonpharmacological Therapy
The major growth factor of the cold pain therapy market is the growing demand for nonpharmacological therapy. Nonpharmacological therapy is a type of treatment regimen in which no chemical entity is administered to the patients. The rising incidences of musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries necessitate patients to relieve pain symptoms. This encourages patients to use nonpharmacological therapy along with medicines. The increasing fear among patients of drug adverse effects also potentiates the demand for nonpharmacological treatment. Cold pain therapy has been proven to be effective in relieving pain symptoms. It helps relieve muscle spasms, myofascial or traumatic pain, and acute inflammation. Additionally, it is a cost-effective therapy and can be performed by anyone, eliminating the need for trained healthcare professionals.
Risk of Injuries
The major challenge of the cold pain therapy market is the risk of injuries caused by cold pain therapy if not used correctly or used for a longer time. It can cause frostbite, nerve damage, skin damage, severe redness at the application site, etc. This restricts the use of cold pain therapy by patients, hindering market growth.
Latest Innovations
The future of the cold pain therapy market is promising, driven by the latest innovations in cold therapy devices. Novel, advanced, and innovative devices are designed to provide effective cold therapy. Manufacturers are developing electric, portable devices that individuals can use at any time and any place. Technological advancements have introduced the latest innovations in cold pain therapy devices. Some novel devices include a combination of cold and compression therapy. These devices can also include massages to enhance patient experience. The increasing investments by several government and private organizations lead to the latest innovations in cold pain therapy. The growing research and development activities also create ample opportunities for market players. Such latest innovations attract more customers, strengthening the position of key players in the market.
By product, the OTC products segment held a dominant presence in the cold pain therapy market in 2024. OTC products include gels, ointments, roll-ons, sprays, and patches. The rising incidence of acute and minor injuries due to cuts, burns, and insect bites increases the demand for OTC products to relieve pain. These products are cost-effective and affordable for many individuals. Their ease of application and easy availability also potentiate the segment’s growth.
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By product, the prescription products segment is predicted to witness significant growth in the cold pain therapy market over the forecast period. Prescription products include motorized and non-motorized devices. The rising prevalence of chronic pain due to musculoskeletal disorders facilitates the use of prescription products. The demand for prescription products increases when patients are unresponsive to OTC products. The need for enhanced pain-relieving efficacy and immediate action promotes the segment’s growth.
By application, the orthopedic conditions segment held the largest share of the cold pain therapy market in 2024. Orthopedic conditions are caused due to sports injuries or musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc. They mainly affect bones, ligaments, tendons, and joints. The geriatric population and women with menopause are at high risk of developing orthopedic disorders, augmenting the segment’s growth. According to the World Health Organization, the knee is the most frequently affected joint, followed by the hip and the hand, with a prevalence of 365 million. The growing interest in sports increases the chances of sports injuries.
By application, the post-trauma therapy segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the cold pain therapy market during the forecast period. The increasing incidences of trauma and growing awareness about post-trauma rehabilitation services boost the segment’s growth. The WHO estimated that around 3.9% of the global population has had post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives. Cold therapy has been proven to reduce inflammation in trauma as well as reduce edema, hematoma formation and pain, muscle spasm, and tissue metabolism.
By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment led the global cold pain therapy market in 2024. Patients usually prefer buying cold therapy from hospital pharmacies when they visit a doctor in a hospital. Hospital pharmacies contain all the necessary cold therapy products. The segmental growth is also attributed to suitable infrastructure and the presence of trained professionals. The favorable reimbursement policies also support the segment’s growth.
By distribution channel, the e-commerce segment is projected to expand rapidly in the cold pain therapy market in the coming years. The rising adoption of smartphones and advancements in wireless technology like 5G promote the use of e-commerce platforms. E-commerce offers to buy cold therapy products in the comfort of a patient’s home and search for a wide range of products. The special discounts and the fastest home delivery facilities fuel the segment’s growth. Some e-commerce platforms also offer online consultancy services, attracting more customers.
North America dominated the global cold pain therapy market in 2024. The rising geriatric population, technological advancements, and the presence of key players drive the market. Major players like 3M, Cardinal Health, and Johnson & Johnson hold the major share of the market globally. The state-of-the-art research and development facilities in North America facilitate the development of novel and advanced products for relieving pain. Favorable government policies and increased investments also contribute to market growth. The Government of Canada announced funding of $4.5 million over five years from 2022-2027 to Pain BC’s project of developing a Pain Canada Network and expanding best practice education and training programs across Canada. The project was initiated to enhance support for people living with chronic pain.
Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate in the cold pain therapy market during the forecast period. The rising prevalence of acute and chronic pain, growing demand for home healthcare, and increasing demand for nonpharmacological therapy drive the market. People in Asia-Pacific countries like China, India, Japan, and Thailand are at the forefront of using cold therapy for pain relief due to the presence of traditional medicinal practices. The rapidly expanding wellness tourism sector and the presence of holistic and alternative therapies propel the market. Government agencies encourage wellness tourism by promoting health and wellness tourism resources and establishing standards. The Indian government also supports participation in international and domestic wellness-related events. The market is also driven by sedentary lifestyles and rising disposable incomes.
Jim Cloar, CEO of Aspen Medical Products, commented that their partnership with NICE Recovery Systems shows their commitment to drive innovation in mobility and pain management. He also added that the company’s bracing solutions provide additional therapies with NiCE’s cold compression therapy while retaining the same trusted fit and functionality, bringing patients unmatched pain control and post-operative care.
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