Question about clinical experience

[nationer5]

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Hello everyone!
I had a question about my application for this year and I consulted my pre-med advisor and she gave me an answer that she seemed unsure of so I figured I'd get second opinions.
Over the past two years I have done work administering cryotherapy treatments to patients who are (usually referred by orthopedists and internists) athletes and other individuals in general. We saw a lot of athletes from from the high school, collegiate, and professional. I saw many patients a day one on one and formed very close relationships with all of them and considered the experience very valuable. The only problem is that this was done under the ownership of a chiropractor (and I know adcoms don't look favorably upon that). The cryotherapy was not run as part of the chiropractic practice, rather it was a separate company owned by a chiropractor.
So, I'm wondering... does this count as clinical work experience if I describe it in the right way or should I not bother and just list it as a regular job?
Thank you so much for all your help!!

 

[mdphdNYC]

I don't think adcoms care or will look into the business filings of a company to find out who owns it or if a chiropractor is involved. That said, a few red flags here:
(1) What do you mean you "saw many patients" and were "administering clinical treatments"? Do you have some kind of pre-existing medical credential (RN, medical assistant, PT)? If not, this is a potential breach of ethics and possibly a crime depending on the representations made to the patients (I assume the company has paperwork saying either this does not constitute treatment for a medical condition or that your role is not that of a healthcare provider to avoid legal issues)
(2) What do you mean cryotherapy? The only medical cryotherapy I know of is liquid N2 therapy for warts. I did an UpToDate search and all the medically-approved uses are in that vein, or in the vein of tissue ablation (and require training to administer...)
Not only would I not count this as a clinical work experience, I would leave this off your application

 

[nationer5]

I don't think adcoms care or will look into the business filings of a company to find out who owns it or if a chiropractor is involved. That said, a few red flags here:
(1) What do you mean you "saw many patients" and were "administering clinical treatments"? Do you have some kind of pre-existing medical credential (RN, medical assistant, PT)? If not, this is a potential breach of ethics and possibly a crime depending on the representations made to the patients (I assume the company has paperwork saying either this does not constitute treatment for a medical condition or that your role is not that of a healthcare provider to avoid legal issues)
(2) What do you mean cryotherapy? The only medical cryotherapy I know of is liquid N2 therapy for warts. I did an UpToDate search and all the medically-approved uses are in that vein, or in the vein of tissue ablation (and require training to administer...)
Not only would I not count this as a clinical work experience, I would leave this off your application

Okay, thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I really appreciate the help!

 

[LizzyM]

I don't think adcoms care or will look into the business filings of a company to find out who owns it or if a chiropractor is involved. That said, a few red flags here:
(1) What do you mean you "saw many patients" and were "administering clinical treatments"? Do you have some kind of pre-existing medical credential (RN, medical assistant, PT)? If not, this is a potential breach of ethics and possibly a crime depending on the representations made to the patients (I assume the company has paperwork saying either this does not constitute treatment for a medical condition or that your role is not that of a healthcare provider to avoid legal issues)
(2) What do you mean cryotherapy? The only medical cryotherapy I know of is liquid N2 therapy for warts. I did an UpToDate search and all the medically-approved uses are in that vein, or in the vein of tissue ablation (and require training to administer...)
Not only would I not count this as a clinical work experience, I would leave this off your application

Maybe expand beyond "up-to-date". See:
The use of cryotherapy in sports injuries. - PubMed - NCBI

Does Cryotherapy Improve Outcomes With Soft Tissue Injury?

What is being described as cryotherapy is ice packs, chemical cold packs, and the like. It is the stuff of sports trainers to reduce pain and swelling although in the long term it does not appear to improve outcomes. It is hardly "unethical", particularly if done under the direction of a licensed professional.

@nationer5 If the people were patients and you were under the supervision of a professional who was licensed to care for patients, I would count it as clinical.

 

[Catalystik]

OP may be referring to Whole-body Cryotherapy ("Whole body cryotherapy involves exposing the body to vapors that reach ultra-low temperatures ranging from minus 200 to minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who choose to have a WBC treatment are enclosed in relatively confined spaces, typically for two to four minutes"), devices for which are not FDA approved: Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC): A "Cool" Trend that Lacks Evidence, Poses Risks

Here is a recent review of the literature, which comments its "rapidly increasing use is not always based on scientific assumptions and safety standards." But also states at the end, "the majority of evidence supports effectiveness of WBC in relieving symptomatology of the whole set of inflammatory conditions that could affect an athlete." Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature

 

[theKingLT]

OP may be referring to Whole-body Cryotherapy ("Whole body cryotherapy involves exposing the body to vapors that reach ultra-low temperatures ranging from minus 200 to minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who choose to have a WBC treatment are enclosed in relatively confined spaces, typically for two to four minutes"), devices for which are not FDA approved: Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC): A "Cool" Trend that Lacks Evidence, Poses Risks

Here is a recent review of the literature, which comments its "rapidly increasing use is not always based on scientific assumptions and safety standards." But also states at the end, "the majority of evidence supports effectiveness of WBC in relieving symptomatology of the whole set of inflammatory conditions that could affect an athlete." Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature

I've heard of athletes doing this at my school (in the better funded sports [emoji23]). It's just a fancy, expensive way to get cold. The full body cold tub at 50 degrees does the same thing. It might make you feel a little better after a grueling workout, but there are no lasting benefits in my personal experience. Research on full body cooling in general is limited but localized ice and cold tub has been shown helpful for inflammation related pains. Also as far as physician ordered, at my university the athletic trainers "prescribe" all the therapies like cryo, needling, etc. The physicians come in when we're sick or need surgery.

 

[nationer5]

Thank you all for all your responses! They were very helpful!