RICE treatment for injuries We’ve all heard of RICE right? It’s that grain that we often eat with curry, a carb loaders heaven...
That's great but "how does rice help with injuries and rehabilitation?'' we hear you shout.
Well the kind of RICE we’re talking is about is this:
R – rest I – ice C – compression E – elevation
Ahhhh now that makes a bit more sense.
RICE is a well known and commonly used injury treatment. Many of us have tweaked a muscle and rummaged around the freezer to retrieve that dusty bag of frozen peas in order to ice the injured area. Because lets face it, what other purpose do peas have anyway? And using bags of vegetables to ice yourself is all well and good but what if there was a much better option on your doorstep? What if you had access to a clinically proven state of the art contrast therapy unit which combines the use of hot and cold therapy AND compression? What if peas were no longer the answer and we could provide you with something bigger and better?
This is, my friends, is where Game Ready steps in (put your peas away!)
"The Med4 Elite is a breakthrough, multi-modality, dual-user recovery system. With touchscreen control, the system integrates iceless cold, controllable heat, rapid contrast, and active compression therapies like never before. [....]System offers more benefits compared to traditional, passive RICE applications [….] integrating four evidence-based therapeutic modalities to help people get back to what matters as quickly as possible.''
So, how does it work?
Cold and compression therapy – promotes vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) which reduces inflammation and swelling, decreases muscle spasms and can help relieve pain. Cold therapy is especially beneficial following an acute injury or surgery.
Heat therapy- promotes vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels) which increases circulation and helps reduce pain and stiffness. Heat therapy can be used when injury has passed the acute stage and inflammation has started to reduce.
Contrast therapy – this alternates between hot and cold therapy, dilating and constricting, which encourages blood flow and improves circulation to the area without causing additional swelling. It also decreases nerve sensitivity to reduce pain.
Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy - is used to provide even pressure around an injured area, mechanically reducing the amount of space available for swelling to accumulate, thus increasing lymphatic flow and decreasing sweling. It has been shown to be most effective when combined with cold therapy.
And what's more exciting is that we are the only facility in Queenstown to have access to a Game Ready Med4Elite unit.
Look at us saving peas everywhere! And providing you with the best technology around to help with your rehab and recovery - we believe in getting our patients into the best shape possible.
Because why let your peas defrost when you have the Game Ready Med4Elite on your doorstep?
*Reference - https://gameready.com/