For months, the phrase “follow the science” has filled our collective awareness.
But what does that actually mean?
Let’s take a closer look.
Q: What’s the most common treatment for injury?
Google it—and you’ll likely find R.I.C.E.
An acronym where the “I” stands for ice.
Science tells us that cold therapies reduce inflammation.
So it’s easy to interpret this as: ice is necessary for healing.
Now, let’s look at healing.
There are four stages:
Hemostasis
Inflammation
Proliferation
Maturation
Notice anything?
Inflammation is essential for healing.
So if inflammation is necessary—and ice reduces it—why do we use ice?
Because science also tells us:
inflammation can be painful.
So R.I.C.E. is often used to manage pain.
Which raises the question:
Does reducing pain = effective treatment?
Where it gets complicated
Science isn’t always black and white.
And often, the confusion comes not from the science itself—but from how we interpret and apply it.
In some Eastern medicine practices, ice is avoided in the healing process.
In the U.S., R.I.C.E. remains a common approach.
Why?
Because:
We prioritize pain reduction
And there’s no definitive consensus that ice is harmful to healing
So it remains the default.
The bigger picture
Science can feel frustrating—but it’s not because it’s unreliable.
It’s because:
Context changes
Needs change
People (patients, communities) are different
A real-world example
When we think about infection control, we know:
Limiting exposure reduces risk
Hand washing helps
Gloves and masks reduce transmission
These are well-established in environments like surgery.
So it makes sense that similar measures would be applied more broadly in response to something like COVID-19.
So what does it mean to “follow the science”?
It doesn’t mean there is always one clear answer.
It means:
Understanding what we know
Recognizing what’s still evolving
Applying that knowledge based on current needs and context
Science is always evolving.
And so are our circumstances.
Following the science doesn’t mean rigidly applying one rule—it means learning how to interpret, adapt, and respond with intention.