For years, ice has been considered the standard method for treating injuries, but new research suggests that this approach may actually slow down the recovery process. On the other hand, spruce resin, with its bioactive properties, represents a natural alternative that promotes faster healing.
Since 1990, when Ivo Konc started making spruce resin products (Smrekovit Klasik), he has strongly advised people against applying ice to injuries, based on his experience as a sports trainer and his knowledge of the natural healing mechanisms of sports injuries. In 2015, even Dr. Gabe Mirkin, the author of the RICE concept (rest, ice, compression, elevation), retracted his original theory and admitted that ice and rest can prolong healing time.
Ivo Konc expressed his opposition to ice cooling in the following way: "Why do you store steaks in the refrigerator and not at room temperature? To slow down physiological processes and the steak stays fresh longer. You do the same with an injury if you cool it with ice: you slow down physiological processes and the injury stays much longer."
"Why do you store steaks in the refrigerator and not at room temperature? To slow down physiological processes and the steak stays fresh longer. You do the same with an injury if you cool it with ice: you slow down physiological processes and the injury stays fresh much longer." (Ivo Konc)
Why cooling with ice is not good
Cooling with ice slows down physiological processes that are essential for natural healing. Injury causes increased permeability of the vascular walls, allowing inflammatory cells and proteins to reach the site of injury. This process is essential for the removal of damaged cells and tissue regeneration. Cooling constricts the capillaries and prevents the migration of these cells, which prolongs recovery time.
Research supports this theory. A systematic review (Beakley et al., 2004) found that treating injuries with ice and compression is ineffective in providing long-term relief. Furthermore, cold therapy can cause long-term capillary constriction, which can inhibit the normal functioning of the immune system (Khoshnevis et al., 2015).
Cooling causes the permeability of the capillary walls to decrease again, which reduces swelling, but as a result, the healing time is significantly extended. Spruce resin does the opposite and stimulates the body's defense mechanism, which in turn significantly reduces healing time. It is therefore clear that cooling and the use of products with spruce resin are contradictory. (Matic Konc)
Dr. Gabe Mirkin also notes that both ice and complete rest can increase healing time. Although ice helps reduce swelling, it has no effect on the injury itself. Dr. Gabe Mirkin cites a review of 22 scientific articles ( 1 ) in which researchers conclude that treating an injury with ice and compression is completely ineffective, but on the other hand, they do find that ice combined with stretching can have some positive effects on the healing of an ankle sprain.
How spruce resin speeds up healing
Spruce resin has the opposite effect of cooling. Bioactive compounds in the resin, including more than 80 organic compounds, stimulate the migration of immune cells (e.g. neutrophils) to the site of injury. Research (Simbirtsev et al., 2002) shows that the use of spruce resin increases the activity of macrophages, which are crucial for tissue regeneration.
The resin also promotes a faster transition through the inflammation and regeneration phases, which shortens healing time. It also prevents the development of chronic inflammation by stimulating the body's natural defense mechanisms.
When I wrote the "Sportsmedicine book" and coined the term RICE ( Rest , Ice , Compression , Elevation ) for treating sports injuries, ice was the standard treatment for injuries because it helped relieve pain. For decades, athletes followed the RICE principle, but now it has been shown that ice and rest prolong healing and do not contribute to recovery" (Dr. Gabe Mirkin)
The process of inflammation is essential for healing an injury.
When tissue is damaged, the damage is repaired by an immune response (the same immune response that also deals with microorganisms that we come into contact with, only in a different way). This response is called inflammation. When harmful microorganisms enter the body, your immune system sends immune cells and inflammatory proteins to the site to help remove the harmful microorganism. The same thing happens when different tissues are damaged. The same cells and inflammatory proteins arrive at the site of the injury to begin healing the injury.
Inflammatory cells, these macrophages, which are already present in the tissue, release chemical substances (cytokines) into the surrounding environment, which attract other and even more inflammatory cells and, by increasing capillary permeability, allow them to pass to the site of inflammation.
Practical advice for injuries
In the event of an injury, we advise you to avoid ice cooling and instead use spruce resin-based products, such as Smrekovit 365 in combination with Smrekovit dressing or Smrekovit 365 Ekstra, but if you are allergic to spruce resin, boswellia resin and the product Smrekovit 365 Alter have a similar effect. The resin quickly establishes optimal conditions for healing and reduces the need for long-term treatment.
Dr. Mirkin doesn't rule out the short-term use of ice to relieve pain, but the effects of resin are more effective in the long term.
Conclusion
Cooling injuries with ice is an outdated practice that can prolong recovery. Spruce resin, which naturally stimulates regeneration and immune system function, is a safe and effective alternative.
Want to learn more? Visit our blog and try out Smrekovit products, which are based on more than 30 years of experience and research.
References:
Cl. Beakley et al. The use of ice in the treatment of acute soft-tissue injury: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med. 2004 Jan-Feb
Khoshnevis S1, Craik NK, Diller KR.. Cold-induced vasoconstriction may persist long after cooling ends: an evaluation of multiple cryotherapy units. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2015 Sep
AS Simbirtsev, VG Konusova, G. Sh. Mchedlidze, BA Paramonov & V. Yu. Chebotarev. Pine Resin and Biopin Ointment: Effects of Water-Soluble Fractions on Functional Activity of Peripheral Blood Neutrophils. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2002.
https://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/why-ice-delays-recovery.html
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