Whether you're a physician, parent, or gymnast, chances are that you have heard of RICE therapy, and may have used it at one time, but is it the best treatment for you?
The doctor who created the RICE therapy has some new thoughts that may have you thinking twice about this go-to therapy.
What is RICE Therapy?
RICE is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Rest immobilizes the injury and Ice minimizes swelling and pain. Compression with a bandage or compression tape helps reduce swelling, and elevation helps with swelling and initial bleeding of tissue when used with ice and compression.
Why is RICE Used?
RICE has been the standard treatment for sore muscles and injuries since Dr. Gabe Mirkin wrote his best-selling Sports medicine Book in 1978. It helps relieve the pain caused by injured tissue, whether it's sore muscles from a tough workout or a sprain from a twisted ankle.
