About two years ago, I was taking an ultrasound class, and we were discussing the pain and inflammatory cycles. During the class, my instructor, Larry, a well-known educator, and founder of NJ Massage School asked, “Did you guys read the debunk of ice therapy?”
At the time I felt ashamed I was not up to date with my readings on research and I stayed quiet but paid very close attention. So, he discussed about the history of icing injury and asked around the class how everyone had been using ice in their treatments. Again, I stayed quiet because I always disliked ice therapy (for those who know me, I like Florida and tropical weather, nothing to do with cold!). I knew of the “benefit” and could not forget the acronym (RICE) that I learned in School – rest, ice, compress, elevate… but never used ice therapy in my practice. Well, luckily my patients did not miss much!
I finally came across the complete and explanatory publication about ice therapy. If you don’t have the time to read the entire article, at least be aware Dr. Mirkin’s (1978), ice therapy is outdated. The use of Ice in “RICE” was deeply rooted in therapeutic applications for almost 20 years (since his initial research/publications) had already become a myth in 1992, when “protection” was included in the protocol (PRICE). Another 14 years later, POLICE (protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation) replaced PRICE, and had become a relatively well-known guideline when long-term rest proved to be detrimental to recovery. In 2019, the latest and most comprehensive acronym: PEACE & LOVE (protection, elevation, avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, compression, and education & load, optimism, vascularization, and exercise) appeared. Since then, ice has been finally removed from the treatment guideline.
Click here if you are interested in reading the complete publication.
