You may have heard the term RICE when it comes to treating an overuse injury. RICE therapy essentially involves taking care of your body by Resting, Icing, Compressing, and Elevating an injured area. You should practice this type of therapy immediately after an injury or when you feel pain.Resting means to simply stay off the injured area. Continue doing this until it no longer feels uncomfortable to put pressure on it. Use ice to reduce any swelling that may have occurred. Never put ice directly on your skin as it may cause redness or discomfort. Compression and elevation may be used concurrently and are key components in reducing swelling. Make sure your compression instrument (stocking, tape, etc.) isn’t so tight that it cuts off circulation.
If you have further questions about using RICE call Dr. Mitchell Wachtel at (978) 794-8406 to schedule an appointment in one of our three Massachusetts office locations.
