Thursday, August 20, 2015

Ice Age Melting: Why RICE Is Actually Wrong

RICE Protocol Treating Tennis Elbow

A sacred cow of sports medicine, the R.I.C.E. protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is now on the chopping block.

Even “Doctor RICE” has reversed his position. (Gabe Mirkin, M.D. co author of 'The Sports Medicine Book,' who coined the RICE acronym for sports injury first aid, in the first place, has radically changed his position on icing / Cryotherapy, as well as the 'Rest' recommendation)...

Doctors, like Mirkin, Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists and other sports and health professionals are seriously reconsidering RICE.

Especially Ice Therapy for treating Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Elbow, sprains, strains and other sports injuries – Particularly beyond the initial minutes following an Acute Injury.

Below is my curated Storify compilation of some of these experts and other sources that are “catching on” to this brave and timely new idea.
  • Doctor Gabe Mirkin, (who originally coined the R.I.C.E. acronym)...
  • Gary Reinl (Athletic Trainer of numerous pro sports teams and author of 'ICED! The Illusionary Treatment Option')
  • Joshua Stone (of StoneAthleticmedicine .com an Extensively credentialed Athletic Trainer who wrote, 'RICE: The End of an Ice Age')
  • And Kelly Starrett (of MobilityWOD and author of 'Becoming a Supple Leopard')
At the very least, ice may be nice for some pain relief, but it's especially bad when it comes to treating Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow.

(The truth is, icing has never made sense when it comes to treating these tendon problems, which are usually chronic and degenerative in nature, and neither acute nor inflammatory.)
For more on that visit Tennis Elbow Classroom and read my full-length post with video

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