RICE Treatment

For minor injuries, such as sprains and strains, RICE treatment is often applied. The concept of the treatment is to reduce pain and swelling – which should also help minimize the recovery period. RICE is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. The following explains why each is important for this treatment.

Rest
During the first 24-48 hours rest is recommended for minor injuries. The least amount of weight possible must be put on the injured area during this period and sometimes assistance is recommended, such as the use of crutches for example.

Ice
Applying ice to the injury reduces swelling which should improve the healing time. It’s recommended to apply an ice pack to the area for 20 minute periods, 4-5 times a day for the first 24-48 hours. However, if the injured body part is small like a finger or toe, the amount of time should be reduced to about 10 minutes. You should never put the ice pack on for over 20 minutes at a time as this can cause cold injury.

Compression
This is another method to reduce swelling. An elastic bandage should be wrapped around the affected area, although it shouldn’t be too tight otherwise there’s a risk of the blood flow being cut off. This bandaging should be replaced every 4 hours or so.

Elevation
This is another method in a bid to reduce swelling. The idea is for the injured area to be raised about 12 inches above the level of the heart.

As you can see, RICE treatment is quite simple but extremely effective. The main purpose is to reduce swelling, which in turn reduces the recovery times. However, if you think that your injury is serious enough, then you should always consider getting it checked out by a qualified professional. While RICE treatment works well for minor injuries, it’s better to be safe than sorry for the more serious conditions and to take a visit to a doctor or a sports clinic.

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