Treatment of Sport Injuries requires PRICE not just ICE.
Posted Mar 14 2011 8:21am
Most of us remember the basics when it comes to treating sports injuries which includes ICE: ice, compression and elevation. But as a Chiropractor, I believe that Protection and Rest are critical as well.
Protection in the PRICE part of treating sport injuries involves prevention of further injury. It may mean a brace, support, belt or any other assistive device necessary to protect and aid the body during normal activities after the injury.
The R in PRICE stands for rest and is critical after a sport injury. People are so anxious to return the game and they fail to realize that if they don’t let this injury heal, it will become chronic and weak and they will get injured again. I don’t mean go to bed as that can make certain problems worse.
Ice is important to reduce swelling as well as decreasing pain. The key is 10 to 20 minutes repeated frequently for at least 24 to 72 hours after an injury. In my experience as a chiropractor, if swelling continues after that ice should still be used but it should be more thoroughly evaluated.
Compression also reduces edema or swelling which can further damage ligaments and tendon by stretching them. We use Kinesiotape in our office which is very helpful.
The last thing important is treatment of sport injury is elevation. This also reduces swelling which speeds up healing. The area must be elevated above the heart to aid in the passive removal of fluid.
If you have suffered from a sport injury, visit our website at www.southingtonchiropractor.com for more information and other ways to treat your pain.
Most of us remember the basics when it comes to treating sports injuries which includes ICE: ice, compression and elevation. But as a Chiropractor, I believe that Protection and Rest are critical as well.
Protection in the PRICE part of treating sport injuries involves prevention of further injury. It may mean a brace, support, belt or any other assistive device necessary to protect and aid the body during normal activities after the injury.
The R in PRICE stands for rest and is critical after a sport injury. People are so anxious to return the game and they fail to realize that if they don’t let this injury heal, it will become chronic and weak and they will get injured again. I don’t mean go to bed as that can make certain problems worse.
Ice is important to reduce swelling as well as decreasing pain. The key is 10 to 20 minutes repeated frequently for at least 24 to 72 hours after an injury. In my experience as a chiropractor, if swelling continues after that ice should still be used but it should be more thoroughly evaluated.
Compression also reduces edema or swelling which can further damage ligaments and tendon by stretching them. We use Kinesiotape in our office which is very helpful.
The last thing important is treatment of sport injury is elevation. This also reduces swelling which speeds up healing. The area must be elevated above the heart to aid in the passive removal of fluid.
If you have suffered from a sport injury, visit our website at www.southingtonchiropractor.com for more information and other ways to treat your pain.