I’ve been saying this for over a decade… and people still pause when I tell them.
“But my doctor said to ice it.”
I understand the hesitation. For years, icing wasn’t just common advice—it was the standard. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. R.I.C.E. It was repeated so often it became automatic, something people trusted without question.
But here’s the part most haven’t caught up with:
Even the physician who introduced it—Dr. Gabe Mirkin—later updated his position.
That shift wasn’t abstract for me. I grew up around it. My dad was a good friend of Dr. Mirkin, and I spent years listening to conversations about health, performance, and how the body actually works. Over time, I began to notice something—what was once considered best practice wasn’t holding up the same way in real-world recovery.
Then the science started to catch up to what I was already seeing.
Here’s what we understand now: inflammation isn’t something to immediately shut down. It’s part of the healing process. It’s the body sending blood flow, nutrients, and repair cells to an injured area. When we aggressively ice, we reduce circulation—and in doing so, we may slow that repair.
That doesn’t mean ice has no value. If something is painful, icing can help manage discomfort in the short term. But using it repeatedly as a primary recovery tool? That’s where things have changed.
What I’ve seen, working with clients over the years, is that the body responds better to the right kind of movement, proper loading, and allowing natural healing to do its job. Not always the quickest fix in the moment—but far more effective where it matters: long-term recovery and performance.
So when someone tells me, “That’s not what I’ve heard,” my response is simple:
What you heard isn’t wrong… it’s just outdated.
Part of my role is not just to coach, but to update—to bring what’s current, what’s working, and what actually helps people recover stronger.
If you’re dealing with an injury and want a smarter approach to recovery and performance, you can reach me directly at 404-358-3250 or learn more at CoachConner.com. You can also follow along on Instagram at @CoachConnerGolf.
And for those interested in the original source of R.I.C.E. and its evolution, Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s long-standing work in sports medicine can be found through his published health reports and medical commentary based in Kensington, Maryland.
The takeaway is simple:
Recovery isn’t about doing what we’ve always done.
It’s about doing what works now.