‘Icing’ sports injuries may delay recovery and prolong pain: McGill study

'Icing' injuries could cause prolonged pain and a longer recovery, according to a new study out of McGill University. (McGill University)

Coach’s advice to “ice it” after an injury may not be the most accurate medical solution, according to a study out of McGill University.

Cryotherapy (icing) is often used to reduce pain and swelling, but a preclinical study published in the journal Anesthesiology found that putting ice on a sprained ankle or sore muscle could delay recovery and prolong pain in the long run.

“These results highlight a paradox: treatments that reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the short term may, in some cases, interfere with the biological processes required for full recovery,” said lead author Lucas Lima, a research associate at the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain.

Lima said that his work is part of a growing body of research questioning the long-term benefits of common anti-inflammatory strategies such as icing or taking Aspirin.

A McGill news release says that the new study, which used mice mimicking inflammatory and exercise-related injuries, shows that icing can affect the duration of pain.

The RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) protocol is widely used by athletes, but the researchers say there is limited evidence of any long-term benefits.

“Our results suggest we need to better understand when anti-inflammatory strategies are helpful and when they are not,” said senior author Jeffrey Mogil, James McGill Distinguished Professor and E. P. Taylor Chair in Pain Studies.

He added that the results of the study are not yet directly applicable to humans, and a clinical trial is underway to see if the same effects are noticed in patients recovering from procedures such as wisdom tooth removal.