Clinical Conversations

Nick Rinard Physical Therapy will give you an honest assessment everytime! We will not keep you coming if we don’t think physical therapy is right for your condition.

“I was referrerd by Dr. Okamoto to pursue options better to address my condition. I knew from the initial visit that a positive outcome may not be possible and Nick expressed his approach to be as proactive as possible.

Overall, I have benefited from the exercises prescribed throughout my visits.

Nick’s oversight and honest assessments throughout my treatments have been very helpful and appreciated.

Thank you all,”

Glenn

Valentine’s Day is a time to show those you care about how much they mean to you. 

But if you’re in pain, it may take more than a box of chocolate to make you feel good.

Call Nick Rinard Physical Therapy and let us give you the tools to manage your pain and get back to enjoying the things you love in life!

Call 503-244-6232 today!

Do you call a friend?

Do you wait it out?

Do you hit the over the counter medicine aisles?

Do you call your doctor?

Do you go to the urgent care?

Do you look up a physical therapist near you?

Interested to know what your “go to” is!!

‘R.I.C.E.’ Coined in 1978

‘R.I.C.E.’ (rest, ice, compression, elevation) was coined in 1978 by Dr. Gabe Mirkin. Since then, ice has been the standard treatment for injuries and sore muscles. The RICE guidelines have been used for decades, but it now appears that ice and rest may delay healing.

Scientific Articles Don’t Support Ice for Healing

A study from The American Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2013 asked athletes to exercise intensely enough to develop muscle damage that caused extensive muscle soreness. It was found that icing delayed swelling, but did not quicken the healing process.  A summary of 22 scientific articles found little to no evidence supporting that ice and compression facilitate healing over compression alone.

Inflammation

Inflammation is required for healing. Inflammation is a part of our immune system and is essential in the healing process. Inflammatory cells migrate to the injured tissue to start the healing process. Macrophages (inflammatory cells) release a hormone into injured tissues, which helps muscles and other injured tissues heal.  Applying ice to reduce swelling can delay healing by preventing the body from releasing this hormone.

Icing can also prevent healing cells from entering the injured tissues by constricting blood-flow.  It can take hours for the blood vessels to return to their size. Icing can also decrease strength, speed, endurance and coordination.

General Tips for Using Ice

If you’re going to ice, only apply ice for 10-15 minutes at a time.  Utilize ice for the first day of injury.  Seek medical attention from a mechanical physical therapist if the pain is severe or you cannot actively move a body part.