If you have suffered a soft tissue injury, begin RICE immediately. Delaying RICE treatment (an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation) could mean more pain and swelling and a longer recovery period. So start these self-care steps the minute you've sustained an injury:
- Rest: Cut back on normal daily activities and avoid putting weight on the injured body part.
- Ice: Use an ice pack on the injured area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, anywhere from four to eight times per day. Don't use the ice pack for longer than 20 minutes, and wrap it in a T-shirt or thin towel so you don't burn your skin.
- Compression: To reduce pain and swelling, wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage or other doctor-recommended compression brace or device -- not too tightly, though. And ask your doctor for how long and how many times each day.
- Elevation: Use pillows or blankets to raise the injured limb above the level of the heart to minimize swelling.
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If you have suffered a soft tissue injury, begin RICE immediately.
Delaying RICE treatment (an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and
elevation) could mean more pain and swelling and a longer recovery
period. So start these self-care steps...
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RealAge answered:If you have suffered a soft tissue injury, begin RICE immediately. Delaying RICE treatment (an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation) could mean more pain and swelling and a longer recovery period. So start these self-care steps the minute you've sustained an injury:
