Let’s chat about the M.E.A.T. versus R.I.C.E. methods for treating injuries.
So, you’ve probably heard of the R.I.C.E. method, right? It’s that classic approach to dealing with injuries, where you rest, ice, compress, and elevate the affected area. Back in the day, it was like gym class 101. If you twisted your ankle playing basketball, the school nurse would have you prop it up with an ice pack.
But here’s the thing, as folks are starting to dig deeper into what really works for treating injuries, they’re finding that the M.E.A.T. method might just be the way to go.
At MOOV, it’s all about movement and less about rest. That’s why we gravitate more towards this idea of M.E.A.T.
With R.I.C.E., it’s all about giving the injury some rest. The idea was that by keeping things still, you’d help the healing process along. Then you’ve got ice to cool things down and reduce pain and swelling. Compression comes in to tackle the swelling and prevent any bleeding, and elevating the injury helps reduce pressure in the blood vessels.
Now, M.E.A.T. flips the script a bit. It’s all about movement in the injured area. The new school of thought is that keeping things mobile is key to recovery. It suggests starting with gentle movements soon after the injury, without pushing past your pain threshold. This helps the new tissue grow back correctly.
As the pain subsides, you move on to step two: exercise. You gradually increase your movement until you’ve got a regular exercise routine going. And for pain control, M.E.A.T. recommends natural remedies like turmeric, valerian root, or magnesium, rather than relying on over-the-counter painkillers.
Studies have actually shown that things like comfrey root ointment and turmeric can be really effective in managing pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen, on the other hand, might actually slow down the healing process.
At MOOV LABS, we’ve developed our own protocols to align with the idea of the M.E.A.T. Method all of which implement the notion of keeping everything moving:
- Localized Cryotherapy with the SubZero
- Targeted Red Light Therapy with the DNA Vibe
- Compression with the Hyperice Normatec System
- Cupping Methods with Massage
- Kinesio Taping
Now, let’s talk about why R.I.C.E. might not be the golden ticket. Some studies have suggested that too much rest can actually hinder the healing process. Early mobilization, along with physiotherapy, has been found to get folks back on their feet more quickly.
And when it comes to icing, there’s evidence to suggest it might not be as effective as we once thought. Some studies even hint that it could delay the healing process.
With M.E.A.T., we’re looking at a wealth of evidence supporting the idea that gentle movement and exercise can speed up recovery, improve range of motion, and prevent instability after an injury.
So, while there’s still some debate, the evidence is leaning towards M.E.A.T. being a more effective approach for many cases. Movement, exercise, and treatment from a physical therapist seem to lead to faster and more complete healing compared to just resting, elevating, and compressing. Pretty interesting stuff, right?
