Move It to Mend It: The New Way to Heal

For a long time, people believed that resting was the best way to heal an injury. But now, experts say that moving might be better. This is a big change from the old idea of RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Even the doctor who came up with RICE now says that other methods might work better. Moving soon after an injury can help you heal faster. Studies show that people who start moving earlier can return to their normal activities sooner. For example, athletes who started rehab two days after an injury returned to sports 20 days earlier than those who waited nine days. Moving also helps with pain and makes your muscles stronger.But moving can hurt, and pain is complicated. Your brain plays a big role in how you feel pain. If you're scared of pain, you might avoid moving, which can make things worse. Experts say that accepting pain and moving anyway can help you heal better. There are new ways to deal with pain, like virtual reality and mindfulness. These methods can help you feel less pain and recover faster. Doctors also say that taking painkillers should be a last resort, and you should take the least amount possible. Experts are still learning about how pain and movement affect healing. But for now, it seems that moving is key to getting better. So, the next time you get hurt, don't just rest—get moving!