You may have heard healthcare professionals recommend RICE therapy, either for first aid or injury treatment. But have you ever wondered – what RICE means? RICE is simply an acronym formed by the first letters in rest, ice, compression, and elevation. All four of these components serve a specific function when it comes to caring for injuries like stress fractures and sprained ankles.
- Rest is important for both preventing further damage to the injured area and also allowing the body to conduct its natural healing processes.
- Icing the area can reduce inflammation and relieve painful symptoms. Be sure to wrap the ice or ice pack in a thin towel to prevent skin damage.
- Compression and elevation are both useful for further reduction of inflammation.
For more information on RICE therapy, or to learn about other treatment options for foot and ankle conditions, contact Foot & Ankle Associates of Florida by calling us at either 407-339-7759 or 352-589-9550 (for those calling from Lake County). Of course, you can also request your appointment online for any of our five Florida offices—Orlando, Lake Mary, Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs, and Tavares.