Ice Delays Recovery from Injuries

Spokane_Al

This comes from the weekly newsletter of Dr. Gabe Mirkin:



Ice Delays Recovery from Injuries



More than 30 years ago I coined the term RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for the acute treatment of athletic injuries.  Now a study from the Cleveland Clinic shows that one of these recommendations, applying ice to reduce swelling, actually delays healing by preventing the body from releasing IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1), a hormone that helps heal damaged tissue (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, November 2010)



When germs get into your body, your immunity sends cells and proteins into the infected area to kill the germs.  When muscles and other tissues are damaged, your immunity sends the same inflammatory cells to the damaged tissue to promote healing. 

The response to both infection and tissue damage is the same. 

Certain cells called macrophages rush to the damaged tissue to release IGF-1 which helps heal muscles. 



Healing is delayed by cortisone-type drugs, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, applying cold packs or ice, and anything else that blocks the immune response to injury.

 

Now the treatments for an acute injury include Rest (stop exercising), Compression and Elevation (to reduce swelling), but no ice.

Neill Morgan

This makes sense to me. I used to ice my knees after a long stupid run, and my knees hurt every time. When I got busy and just skipped the ice, my knees quit hurting as long as I built up mileage sensibly. Also, the ibuprofen did a lot more damage than good for me -- erosive gastritis, brought down my hemoglobin, killed my oxygen absorption. I've decided there's only one safe way to treat pain, the old fashioned way. Beer.

Nemo Brauch

Healing is delayed by cortisone-type drugs, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, applying cold packs or ice, and anything else that blocks the immune response to injury.

Ya know, this conflicting advice (no anti-inflamation drugs 'cause it slows the healing vs ice up to reduce swelling) always confused me. I'll be interested to see where this ultimately goes. I know folks who swear by their ice bath (myself included) but I'd be more than happy to give up that little practice

mgraffeo

Posted By Neill Morgan on 11 Nov 2010 09:33 AM

When I got busy and just skipped the ice, my knees quit hurting 

I know my knees never hurt then...

Coach Patrick

I think this is a "what works for me / n=1" issue...if it works for you, great. If not, don't. I personally swear by a peppermint lotion footrub for my post long run recovery, but wifey doesn't buy it...

Steve West

@ Coach P - is it equally effective whether it is self-applied compared to if/when DW applies the lotion? I'm thinking there is some other effect going on there.....

wareagledusty

"I've decided there's only one safe way to treat pain, the old fashioned way. Beer."

 

My new favorite quote!