<P> RICE is a mnemonic for four elements of treatment for soft tissue injuries -- an acronym for Rest , Ice , Compression and Elevation . The mnemonic was introduced by Gabe Mirkin in Sportsmedicine Book ( ISBN 978 - 0316574365 ) in year 1978 . However , he has since recanted his support for the regimen . On March 16 , 2014 , he wrote `` Coaches have used my ' RICE ' guideline for decades , but now it appears that both Ice and complete Rest may delay healing , instead of helping . In a recent study , athletes were told to exercise so intensely that they developed severe muscle damage that caused extensive muscle soreness . Although cooling delayed swelling , it did not hasten recovery from this muscle damage . '' </P>
with regard to the treatment of sports injuries the protocol rice stands for
Rest Ice Compression Elevation