A recent study by a team of US researchers has condemned the traditional belief of putting an ice pack on a torn muscle, a sprain or even on a black eye.
Using ice on an injury might obstruct its healing, making the healing process longer, the study confirms.
Ice prevents the release of an essential hormone that is produced by inflamed tissue. This hormone is required by the body cells to heal damaged tissue.
Inflamed cells have the ability to produce insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone which increases the rate of muscle regeneration and helps in healing faster.
Dr Gerald Weissmann, Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB stated, “For wounds to heal we need controlled inflammation, not too much, and not too little.
