Challenging conventional wisdom — Should we use ice to treat injuries?
Thursday, October 16th, 2014 | Injuries, R.I.C.E., Rehabilitation, Rest | No Comments
There is and has been a long-term debate about the merits of using heat or ice as a treatment after injury. Despite years of research, education, and even anecdotal evidence from healthcare professionals and trainers, much confusion has surrounded the issue.
To this day, the conventional thinking has been that ice should be used in the first 24-48 hours after injury to decrease inflammation (swelling) and pain. In 1978, Dr. Gabe Mirkin coined the term “R.I.C.E.” (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), and this concept became the standard in treatment of acute injuries and post-surgical patients.
Recently, however, many studies have been performed to investigate what exactly the role of ice is in decreasing inflammation and pain, and whether or not it does in fact aid in recovery of tissues. Like so many other previously held beliefs, very good contemporary research over the last decade has been progressively disproving this conventional wisdom. Unfortunately, new information is slow to spread, and it is always challenging to change long-held paradigms and to shift to the more current thinking. Read More
