Ice is NOT nice!

Did you know that aggressive icing in the first 48 hours post-injury may delay healing by up to 4 weeks?

Watch the video to understand why the recommendation of ice early in acute injuries may actually be detrimental.

The same blood vessels that bring inflammatory markers to the site are the same blood vessels that also deliver the healing properties and cells (macrophages) into the area. Macrophage cells are important to clean up the site and begin laying down new tissue structure, but as ice constricts the vessels, there are fewer cells that arrive at the site. Those that do arrive are prevented from operating efficiently.

Lymphatic drainage, or the removal of viscous fluid from the injured site, is slowed in circumstances of reduced temperature. Ice also makes the lymphatic vessels “leaky” so excess fluid can seep back into the injured area. A vicious cycle ensues because that fluid is now more dense and viscous and harder to remove.

For this reason a new regime for acute injuries is as follows;

B- breathe

E-evaluate injury to see if further investigation is necessary

C - compress

A- able movement within a pain-free tolerance

L - lift or elevate

M- minimal ice for pain relief only

For more information please visit www. becalmprotocol.info