The first treatment for most acute soft tissue injuries (bruises, strains, springs, tears) is to prevent, stop and reduce swelling. When soft tissue is damaged it swells or possibly bleeds internally. This swelling causes pain and loss of motion, which limits use of the muscles.
The primary treatment for soft tissue injuries is R.I.C.E. - rest, ice, compression and elevation. Rest means to stop activity and give the tissues time to heal. Compression of an acute injury is perhaps the next most important immediate treatment tip. By quickly wrapping the injured body part with an elastic bandage or wrap you help keep swelling to a minimum.
The next step is to apply ice to the injured area (over the wrap) to stop or reduce the swelling. Never apply heat to an acute injury. Heat will increase circulation and increases swelling.
Immediate Treatment Tips
Here is what you should do immediately when you sustain a sports injury:
- Stop the activity immediately.
- Wrap the injured part in a compression bandage.
- Apply ice to the injured part (use a bag of crushed ice or a bag of frozen vegetables) for 10-15 minutes. Let the area warm completely before applying ice again (to prevent frostbite).
- Elevate the injured part to reduce swelling.
- Get to a physician for a proper diagnosis of any serious injury.
