The mnemonic was introduced by Dr. He rice basmati test back his support of this regimen in 2014 after learning of the role of inflammation in the healing process. The implementation of RICE for soft tissue injuries as described by Dr. There are different variations of the protocol, which may emphasize additional protective actions.

However, these variations similarly lack sufficient evidence to be broadly recommended. Rest refers to limiting the use of an injured area. It was once recommended to rest an injury for up to 2 days or until it was no longer painful to use. It was intended to reduce inflammation and to prevent further injury.

Blood supply is an important component of inflammation. Although rest may provide some benefit immediately after an injury, returning to movement early has been shown to be better at reducing pain and encouraging healing. Ice refers to the application of cold objects to an injury, such as ice, an icepack, frozen vegetables, etc. It was meant to reduce swelling and inflammation by vasoconstriction. The current research supports the role of ice in temporary pain relief, but there is little evidence supporting the use of ice to aid in healing, or even swelling reduction.

Further research is needed to further understand how ice should be applied. Compression refers to wearing bandages, stockings, braces, or similar devices to apply pressure over a localized area to reduce swelling and stop bleeding. Although studies have demonstrated the effects of compression on swelling, there is little evidence to support the use of compression to promote healing. Elevation refers to keeping an injury above the level of the heart, such as propping up a leg with pillows. The goal was to reduce swelling by using gravity to encourage blood return from the swollen area back to the heart. The reduction in swelling could improve pain by relieving pressure from the area. However, at this time there is little evidence to support that elevation promotes healing.

Gabe Mirkin has since recanted his support for the regimen. Coaches have used my ‘RICE’ guideline for decades, but now it appears that both ice and complete rest may delay healing, instead of helping. In a recent study, athletes were told to exercise so intensely that they developed severe muscle damage that caused extensive muscle soreness. Although cooling delayed swelling, it did not hasten recovery from this muscle damage.