RICE as a protocol for acute injuries

Is RICE an effective protocol for acute injuries?

The RICE protocol stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It was a traditional approach used to treat acute injuries and inflammation. Rest was meant to reduce demands on the body's resources, ice was used to reduce pain and inflammation, compression helped reduce swelling, and elevation facilitated lymph drainage. However, recent insights suggest that the use of ice may interfere with the body's natural inflammatory response, potentially delaying the healing process.

Dr. Gabe Merkin's research suggests that the use of ice for acute injuries may have several drawbacks. Ice interferes with the body's inflammatory response, which is essential for the healing process. It increases the viscosity of lymph fluid, slowing down drainage and potentially causing tissue congestion. Furthermore, ice may disrupt the body's production of highly functional mitochondria, impacting long-term health and resilience. Merkin argues that interfering with inflammation, as ice does, can delay healing and recovery.