Hello everyone,

Ice is a very invasive way to reduce swelling and there are more ways that lead to Rome.
Elevation of the injured part, above the head, reduces the bloodflow in the area as well, preventing other tissue to damage from excesive swelling but does provide the area sufficiently.
Like some people have said, it is natural for the body to have an increased bloodflow to the damaged area in order to start of the healing process.
The reason ice has been used for so long is that it reduces the swelling promtly and dims the pain, for an athlete to return to the field straigh away or to, so they think, recover quickly.... (Even though recovery will not be made fully and and good as through the natural healing process, after all, blood provides for that.) Do understand that in sports, especcially in team sports, the rule "For you 10 others" count and sportsmen will take the risks to make to team.

I also read someone writing about Ibruprofen and other anti-inflamation drugs. Also with these I would be carefull as they stop the natural healing process of inflamation and research has found that tissue regrowth is not as good and strong as when no anti inflamation drug has been used.

Great to see so many people get into this kind of discussion and what a great toppic. I think its good to question the 'rules' at times, after all we are a developping trade, right.

Kind Regards,
Eline.