Rice Therapy: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects

Rice therapy is an ancient practice that uses cooked rice to help soothe and heal the body. Rice therapy is based on the belief that rice – ground down into a paste or poultice – can help to draw out toxins from the body, reduce swelling, and restore balance. The practice has been used in traditional healing systems such as Ayurveda for centuries and is still widely used today.

• Hot Water Rice Therapy: This involves soaking a pot of rice in hot water for a predetermined period of time. After this is done, the hot water and rice are typically used in a massage-like fashion to treat joint and muscle pain.
• Cold Rice Therapy: This involves soaking a pot of rice in cold water before it is applied to affected areas with an ice pack. This method can be used to reduce inflammation, swelling, and help improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
• Compression Rice Therapy: This technique involves placing dampened cold or hot rice directly onto an affected area such as the joints or muscles, then covering the area with a towel or simply compressing the needed region by hand for 10-15 minutes. The intent of this method is to provide warmth/cold for reducing inflammation and improving flexibility/movement of the troubled area(s).
• Acupressure Rice Therapy: Acupressure rice therapy utilises heated soaked grains of rice that are rolled across particular acupressure points on the body. The pressure applied from the soft grains helps relieve aches, pains and tension throughout different parts of the body; promoting general wellness as well as encouraging relaxation overall.

• Improves circulation: Rice Therapy helps to improve blood circulation because of the heat radiating from the rice packs. It can help reduce pain caused by poor blood circulation in areas such as the wrists, knees and ankles.
• Relaxes muscles: Rice Therapy is a very effective way to reduce pain and tension in the muscles by providing deep relaxation. For those suffering from chronic muscle tension, rice therapy can serve as an effective relaxing massage that can be done at home.
• Stimulates Metabolism: The heat generated from rice therapy helps to boost your body’s metabolism by increasing its natural rate of calorie consumption, which is beneficial for keeping your weight in check and may even help with diabetes.
• Improves Joint Health: Not only does it reduce pain in the joints by reducing inflammation, but it also improves flexibility in joints due to the gentle heating effect on connective tissues surrounding the joint, which improves mobility and reduces stiffness in joints affected by arthritis or similar conditions (such as tendonitis).
• Effects Stress Levels: Rice Therapy also helps to promote better overall health due to its calming effects on both body and mind! This can help you handle stress more effectively while simultaneously providing relief from minor aches and pains resulting from stress-related conditions like headaches, neck pain, and other body pains associated with stress-related disorders or illnesses.

• Rice Therapy is believed to reduce inflammation, ease muscle soreness, help with circulation and aid digestion.
• People may use rice therapy as a way to treat various ailments from arthritis and chronic pain to headaches and fatigue. People may also use this treatment for beauty treatments such as reducing wrinkles or hydrating skin.

Rice therapy has been known to cause a number of potential problems, including:-

• Skin irritation: Prolonged exposure to warm or hot water can cause the skin to become extremely dry and irritated, as well as susceptible to infection.
• Burns: Extremely hot water can cause thermal burns, which can be more serious for people with sensitive skin.
• Increased sensitivity: Since rice therapy increases circulation and opens up the pores, some people may become more prone to irritants and products afterward.
• Water intoxication: When used excessively or incorrectly, rice therapy can cause you to take in too much water at once, leading to water intoxication and symptoms like confusion, nausea and seizures. People with heart or kidney problems should not use rice therapy without consulting a doctor first.
• Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to certain types of starches found in rice and could develop an allergic reaction when exposed to them during a rice therapy session.

• Consult a physician before starting the rice therapy, especially if you have any allergies or existing medical conditions.
• Clean the areas of your body where you intend to apply the rice therapy with soap and water.
• Measure the amount of uncooked white rice that you will need for your treatment and place it in a bowl large enough for you to work with.
• Select an appropriate type of massage oil such as olive, grapeseed, sweet almond, jojoba or coconut oil to help with massage strokes along with other ingredients such as lavender essential oils for pleasant smells and aromatherapy benefits if desired.
• Put on comfortable clothing, preferably singlets and minimal layers in order for easier access while performing the rice therapy technique over different areas of your body.

Rice Therapy involves pressing cooked white rice into the body with the help of warm cloth. It can be done at home or at specialised clinics by trained professionals.

• Wash your hands and wear disposable gloves.
• Prepare hot or boiling water in a container like a bowl, cup, or pot.
• Soak the rice in the hot water for five to 10 minutes until it softens slightly and turns a beige colour.
• Strain the rice to remove excess liquid once it's done soaking.
• Place the rice into a cloth like an old sock, t-shirt, or handkerchief and tie off the opening so that no grains of rice escape.
• Attach the cloth filled with rice securely over the area you’re going to treat with tape or elastic bandage wraps used for sprains and strains.

• Apply pressure directly on top of the cloth filled with hot rice using your hands or fingers depending on where you’re applying it — if necessary you can use some kind of device like a rolling pin to apply direct pressure on top of it for even better results .
• Leave the hot compress in place for 15–20 minutes, then carefully remove it.

• Once finished, discard any unused portions of prepared wet or boiled rice –– never save this material for future use as improper storage makes it susceptible to bacterial contamination.
• Inspect skin treated area once compress is removed — if its still tender repeat application up to three times per day , until inflammation no longer persists.

The cost of a rice therapy session in India depends upon the clinic and its location. Generally, prices range from 500 to 2,000 Indian Rupees.

• There are a variety of foods that can be eaten following a rice therapy session.
• Many people enjoy lighter meals such as smoothies or soups, or something light like free-range eggs or toast.
• Protein-rich dishes such as hummus, nuts and beans, or fish, and salads with fresh fruits and vegetables all make good post-rice therapy meals.
• Additionally, something sweet like fruit salad with honey could be a nice post-rice therapy snack to satisfy any cravings.

Rice therapy has generally been recognized as safe, with a few precautions to be considered. While this type of therapy may be effective, it is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or any condition where there is a loss of sensation in the skin. Additionally, the application should not be too hot and should never remain on the skin for too long as this can damage the skin.

No, rice therapy is not painful. It's a very gentle massage technique that can be used on just about any area of the body without any discomfort or pain.

The length of time it takes to recover from Rice Therapy will depend on the individual, the type and severity of injury, and your therapist's recommendations. Generally speaking, a full recovery can take anywhere from 3-8 weeks depending on the individual’s profile.

• Common side effects of Rice Therapy may include mild redness of the skin where the rice was applied, localised warmth under the application site and dry or itchy skin at the treatment area.
• Some people may also experience contact dermatitis along with other symptoms of an allergic reaction such as itchy eyes or a rash.
• In some cases, long-term use of Rice Therapy can cause infection in delicate or sensitive areas.

• Keep warm for at least 20 minutes after the procedure.
• If necessary, use analgesics such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to control pain or discomfort.
• Check your temperature and notify your doctor if it rises above 101°F (38°C).
• Drink plenty of fluids and get rest to help support your body's natural healing process.
• Avoid strenuous activity, hot baths, and massages in the area of treatment until you have consulted with your doctor or therapist again.
• Continue with the recommended treatments prescribed by your doctor following the rice therapy session if indicated to help reduce muscle spasms and inflammation related to chronic pain conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Rice therapy has been around for centuries, and is widely used in many parts of the world with great success. In addition to its healing benefits, rice therapy can provide comfort and relaxation from physical pain, improve sleep quality and reduce inflammation. Ultimately, rice therapy can be a beneficial form of holistic healing for individuals looking to improve their overall health and wellbeing.