Which item is NOT part of RICER?

Which item is NOT part of RICER?

• A. Rest
• B. Ice
• C. Compression
• D. Massage

Answer: (D)

RICER is a quick approach for the immediate care of acute soft tissue injuries. It focuses on limiting swelling and pain in the first hours after the injury. Rest helps prevent further damage, ice reduces inflammation and pain, compression controls swelling, and elevation encourages fluid drainage away from the injury. Massage isn’t included in this protocol because applying massage early on can increase blood flow and swelling and may cause further tissue irritation. It’s something that might be considered later in rehabilitation under guidance, but it isn’t part of the initial RICER steps. So, the item not part of RICER is massage.

RICER is a quick approach for the immediate care of acute soft tissue injuries. It focuses on limiting swelling and pain in the first hours after the injury. Rest helps prevent further damage, ice reduces inflammation and pain, compression controls swelling, and elevation encourages fluid drainage away from the injury. Massage isn’t included in this protocol because applying massage early on can increase blood flow and swelling and may cause further tissue irritation. It’s something that might be considered later in rehabilitation under guidance, but it isn’t part of the initial RICER steps. So, the item not part of RICER is massage.