All About Pitching

The Myth Of Baseball Pitchers Icing—Why Ice Is Not Nice

I wrote on this blog not long ago about the myth that baseball pitchers should static stretch before they throw. Not only has that proven to be the cause of more shoulder injuries but the study I posted has proven that static stretching prior to throwing also reduces velocity. And yet you will see thousands of Little League, high school and college pitchers static stretching using the "buddy" system prior to throwing.

Most informed baseball people know that the shoulder joint is already loose and doesn't need more stretching. More stretching is what we try to avoid by doing exercises which help with stability so that humerus (upper arm bone) seats itself within the shoulder socket. Otherwise the unstable shoulder will eventually become weak and injured. Thus the reason for rotator cuff exercises. The shoulder needs stability.

Another huge myth today in baseball pitching is the administration of ice after pitching. You can see this being done at the major league level after many games. So if icing is good enough for major league pitchers then it must be good enough for all pitchers. Right? Wrong!

After all you can actually purchase devices that nicely attach around the shoulder and elbow so that icing is more convenient and comfortable. When we first started All About Pitching nearly ten years ago we too sold those icing devices but have not done so for at least seven years. Why? Because we did some research that proves that icing the pitchers arm does not help the arm recover but slows down the recovery process.

You see what happens when ice is initially administered is it brings blood to the site where it is applied…for the pitcher to the shoulder or elbow. And blood is good because it provides healing. However, as the ice stays on the blood can no longer get into the area so after a few minutes of icing the area is prevented from beginning the natural healing process. Icing stops an immune response which is healing.

Why then do major league pitchers ice? Because they do not know or understand this. And yet, now there are several major league trainers who will not allow their pitchers to ice…just like most would not allow their pitchers to static stretch.

So the fact is that "ice is not nice."

What a pitchers really wants to do after pitching is to get blood to the joint so that healing starts immediately. So the best thing to do after pitching is to keep the joint moving by doing some exercise afterwards. One of the best things a pitcher could do would be to jump into a pool and do some swimming for about 20 minutes.

If there is no pool then do some running while moving the arms.

Watch how many kids you will see icing their arm this year under the guidance of well intended but misinformed parents or coaches.

So remember this…ice is not nice.

Dick Mills

If you have questions about this blog post or on any phase of pitching—mechanics, strength and conditioning, mental training, strategy send those questions to dickmills@gmail.com and I will answer them here.

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