M.E.A.T. Therapy

M.E.A.T. not R.I.C.E.  is the title of a pending book by Dr. Kalman

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RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) has been used to treat injuries since the 1970s when it was first coined by Dr. Gabe Mirkin, MD in his Sportsmedicine Book, published in 1978.  It was a working theory because there was not a lot of research to support the concept at the time.  In the last 40+ years, a plethora of research has been published that refutes the concept of RICE for injury recovery of ligaments and tendons.

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Unlike muscle tissue which have an abundant vascular supply,  ligaments and tendons are primarily avascular. This reduction in direct blood supply means that tendons and ligaments are more prone to delayed or incomplete healing.  Compound this with the prevalent use of NSAIDS that reduce and block the natural healing casade after injury, and you have created a perfect storm for causing chronic MSK problems.

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MEAT -- Movement, Exercise, Analgesics, Treatments

 

Movement immediately after an injury (sprain or strain) vs. a broken bone, can stimulate blood flow and reduce the formation of scar tissue.  Research has shown that patients with ankle ligament sprains who did functional movements after injury displayed improved recovery as compared to immobilisation. 

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Exercises that are geared toward functional motion (active range of motion AROM) have been shown to improve function and weight bearing in patients following acute ankle sprains.

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Analgesics are substances that modulate the perception of pain.  NSAIDS are explicity excluded from this program, for they block the natural inflammatory cascade that is crucial in the recovery process of connective tissue.  Recent research has also implicated the overuse of NSAIDS with contributing to the prevalence of chronic pain syndromes.  Pain control is essential to allow people to both move their bodies and complete therapeutic exercises.  Herbal medicine, acupuncture, shockwave and laser therapy are all ways to modulate pain without downregulating the healing cascade.

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Treatments: There are no shortage of interventions that can stimulate the healing of connective tissue.  All of the therapies offered at San Diego Center for Restorative Medicine contribute to the overall healing of the human organism and support healthy physiology.  More direct interventions like prolothreapy, ACELL and PRP injections are ways to directly stimulate tissue healing after acute injuries or for stimulating repair from chronic injuries.

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