Soft tissue injuries (sprains and strains)

YouTube video - "PEACE & LOVE: New acronym for the treatment of traumatic injuries"
from La Clinique Du Coureur

When we engage in physical exercises, sometimes we sustain soft tissue injuries.  We have been taught in the past to use the R.I.C.E. approach as a first aid treatment for minor soft tissue injuries.  RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.  

The mnemonic was introduced by Dr. Gabe Mirkin in 1978. He withdrew his support of this regimen in 2014 after learning of the role of inflammation in the healing process. The implementation of RICE for soft tissue injuries as described by Dr. Mirkin is no longer recommended, as there is not enough research on the efficacy of RICE in the promotion of healing.[1]

What are the current recommendations?

The following general guide from Safer Care Victoria provides a guideline for the initial treatment of minor soft tissue injuries.

Soft tissue injuries (sprains and strains)

The guideline above recommends an updated RICE and no HARM approach for the first 48 to 72 hours following the injury.  HARM stands for Heat, Alcohol, Running/activity, and Massage.

Some health practitioners recommend a PEACE and LOVE approach.  The YouTube video above explains briefly the PEACE and LOVE approach. 

For more information, please refer to the following web page: 

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Peace_and_Love_Principle.

Moderate and severe injuries

Some scientists proposed that for minor soft tissue injuries, the No Harm and Peace approach may be appropriate in the acute phase.  However for moderate and severe injuries, a CARE approach should be adopted.  For further information, please see reference [4] and [6] below.

Additional information

The references below provide additional information on minor soft tissue injuries and proposed treatments.

Reference:

1. Wikipedia - RICE (medicine) 
2. Wikipedia - Soft tissue injury
3. YouTube video - "Physiotherapy Treatment for Soft Tissue Injury - Your Comprehensive Guide" from Ask Giri - The Physio Show
4. Minor Soft Tissue Injuries may need PEACE in the Acute Phase, but Moderate and Severe Injuries Require CARE - Konstantinos Fousekis and Elias Tsepis, Therapeutic Exercise and Sports Rehabilitation Lab, Physical Therapy Department, University of Patras, Greece.
5. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE by Blaise Dubois,The Running Clinic, Lac Beauport, Quebec, Canada, and Jean-Francois Esculier, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
6. Is Ice Or Heat Better For Achilles Tendonitis? by Treat My Achilles on YoutTube.

Disclaimer: The above information is for general education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for you.