Icing sprained ankles and sore muscles has been used for years to reduce pain and swelling, but new research suggests it can slow recovery and prolong pain in the long term.
In a preclinical study published in anesthesiologyResearchers at McGill University found that while cryotherapy (icing) provided short-term pain relief, it more than doubled recovery time in some cases.
These results highlight the paradox that treatments that reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief may, in some cases, interfere with biological processes necessary for full recovery. ”
Lucas Lima, first author, Research Fellow, Alan Edwards Pain Research Center
The finding adds to a growing body of research questioning the long-term benefits of common anti-inflammatory strategies, Lima said. Previous studies have shown that drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) can also prolong the duration of pain, and animal studies suggest that icing may delay tissue repair.
The new study provides the first direct evidence that icing can also affect the duration of pain itself, based on experiments in mice that mimic inflammatory and exercise-related injuries.
Icing is commonly used as part of the RICE protocol, a standard approach to managing injuries that includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Researchers say it is widely used by athletes, clinicians, and everyday injury care, but there is limited evidence of long-term effectiveness.
“Our results suggest that we need a better understanding of when anti-inflammatory strategies are and are helpful,” said senior author Jeffrey Mogill, James McGill Distinguished Professor of Pain Research and EP Taylor Chair.
He emphasized that the results are not yet directly applicable to humans. Clinical trials are underway to test whether patients recovering from procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction would have similar effects.
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Reference magazines:
Lima, L. Others. (2026) Cryotherapy and inflammatory pain duration in mice. anesthesiology. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000006066. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesiology/abstract/9900/cryotherapy_and_duration_of_inflammatory_pain_in.937.aspx
