We are told the inflammation is bad and we must do everything we can, as fast as possible, to reduce it. Most people will run for the ice pack as soon as they are injured, but that might make matters worse in many cases.

Sure, reducing inflammation can be appropriate in some cases, and, specifically, icing or other cold therapies are typically the first go-to solution.

Cold therapy constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the injured area. This can slow or reduce inflammation, which can in fact impede healing if the inflammation is excessive.

Excessive inflammation can also damage tissues (again, if excessive), so cold therapy can reduce that metabolic activity enough to protect those tissues.

Cold therapy can also slow down cellular processes, reducing the risk of cell damage due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients from excessive swelling and inflammation.

But all these problems are related to excessive inflammation. In a healthy individual, excessive inflammation is rare. In an unhealthy person, on the other hand, it can be quite common.

Inflammation and swelling are a natural process for initial healing. It helps to contain and eliminate pathogens by bringing immune cells and other factors to the site of infection or injury, so you don’t want to slow down those processes with cold therapy if possible.

Inflammation also promotes the removal of damaged cells and tissues, by signaling the body to initiate repair processes such as the production of new cells and the formation of scar tissue.

By increasing blood flow to the affected area, inflammation ensures that nutrients, oxygen, and other necessary components are delivered to the site to facilitate healing.

If someone uses cold therapy too soon after an injury, they can slow their healing process significantly. This is why I avoided cold therapy when I broke my collarbone in June of 2024. I watched my natural inflammation process carefully and was satisfied with what my body was doing. It never became excessive, so I left well enough alone and let it run its course. I was given a special ice machine by a friend in case I needed it, but I never even broke out an ice pack, let alone his machine because it was never necessary.

The body is pretty smart, and if it’s a healthy body, it will do the right things in the right amounts. Inflammation is similar to a fever, in that fevers are also good, up to a point, and should be allowed to run their course for faster healing.

So the next time you’re injured or have a fever, think twice before you immediately run for cold therapies or fever reduction strategies because you could be sabotaging your recovery process!