Welcome to a new paradigm in injury treatment.

For decades, the standard advice for acute injury management has been the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. But evidence continues to mount that this approach may actually delay healing rather than promote it.

That’s why I introduced a new approach: METH—Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat.

I first coined the acronym in an article titled Novel Methods of Injury Rehabilitation, and since then, it’s gained quite a following. I’ve received countless phone calls, interview requests, and emails about this concept. Clearly, it resonates.

Even Dr. Gabe Mirkin—the physician who originally coined the RICE acronym back in the 1970s—has since reversed his position and acknowledged that resting and icing injuries may do more harm than good. Inflammation, after all, is a necessary first step in the healing process. Suppressing it with ice or NSAIDs can slow or even stall recovery.

Instead, we should aim to promote blood flow and circulation—not restrict it. That’s where METH comes in. Applying heat, introducing light movement, using gentle traction, and elevating the area can all support the body’s natural healing response.

For a deeper dive, check out this short video where I explain the rationale behind METH and why it may be the smarter way to handle acute injuries.