You have just injured yourself and are wondering what the next step should be. Is ice or heat the treatment of choice?
If you have suffered a sprain or a strain, the first thing you should remember is PRICE (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate). Think about what is happening to the injured tissues and you will know why applying the price principle will help. You will have micro-tears resulting from an acute injury, blood is seeping through, swelling sets in and inflammation will ensue. Ice treatment is most commonly used for acute injuries and its application within the first 48 hours is critical. Limiting the swelling will allow for quicker recovery, ie. Less clean up to do! Check these numbers and notice how prompt icing will reduce a grade 2 or 3 ligament sprain healing time by more than half the time. [click to continue…]
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