R.I.C.E. No, it's not a cheer. It’s a time-tested treatment technique used to help alleviate pain, minimize swelling, and accelerate healing. If you've ever had a soft-tissue injury, like a sprain or strain, chances are you've heard of the R.I.C.E. method. Doctors generally advise you to begin this simple at-home therapy combo as soon as possible following a muscle, tendon, or ligament injury.

R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Now that you know what it means, let's find out how it works!

REST will prevent the injury from getting worse. Pain is your body's way of telling you that you need to slow down your physical activity. If you push too hard without resting the injury, you may impede recovery and risk permanent damage. Listen to your body and give it the proper time it needs to heal.

ICE numbs the injured area to help diminish pain and swelling. Using a quality cold pack can help minimize inflammation around the injury, reduce bleeding into the tissues, and ease muscle spasms and pain. FlexiKold by NatraCure is an excellent option for a heavy-duty cold pack that will keep cold without using hazardous chemicals.

COMPRESSION applies pressure to the affected area, which helps keep swelling under control. But don't overdo it. While it should be snug, if your compression product is too tight it can result in reduced blood flow, prolonging your recovery time.

ELEVATION keeps the injured body part above the heart which helps lessen swelling, pain, and general discomfort. Elevating the injury makes it more difficult for blood to get there which helps minimize bruising and throbbing pain.

R.I.C.E.—easy to administer and even easier to remember. We hope this simple self-care method will help ease your pain and speed up your healing next time you suffer a soft-tissue injury.

An important reminder: Consult your doctor if you have pain or swelling that gets worse or does not heal after using the R.I.C.E. method.