What do you do if you hurt your ankle? Everyone knows about R.I.C.E: rest, ice, compression and elevation.
Then it became P.R.I.C.E: protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.
From now on...Call the P.O.L.I.C.E.
No, not New York's finest, but a better way to heal: protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation.
More recent studies have shown that injuries heal better when the appropriate amount of stress is placed on the healing body part. While we've always been taught to rest an injury, it’s now known that rest can lead to weakness and stiffness as the injury heals. Hence the O.L. in P.O.L.I.C.E. - for “optimal loading”.
With complete tendon tears, unstable fractures, or severe pain, optimal loading could mean no loading at all. As for minor injuries, activity can help the injured body part heal properly. Loading could mean light range of motion for a mild sprain. It may also include as much weight bearing as the injury can tolerate without increasing pain, as well as keeping the joints around the injured area moving to keep them strong and flexible.
Optimal loading should not increase your pain, but help an injury heal better. When in doubt, check it out. If you’re not sure what to do, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or physical therapist for advice.
Then it became P.R.I.C.E: protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.
From now on...Call the P.O.L.I.C.E.
No, not New York's finest, but a better way to heal: protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation.
More recent studies have shown that injuries heal better when the appropriate amount of stress is placed on the healing body part. While we've always been taught to rest an injury, it’s now known that rest can lead to weakness and stiffness as the injury heals. Hence the O.L. in P.O.L.I.C.E. - for “optimal loading”.
With complete tendon tears, unstable fractures, or severe pain, optimal loading could mean no loading at all. As for minor injuries, activity can help the injured body part heal properly. Loading could mean light range of motion for a mild sprain. It may also include as much weight bearing as the injury can tolerate without increasing pain, as well as keeping the joints around the injured area moving to keep them strong and flexible.
Optimal loading should not increase your pain, but help an injury heal better. When in doubt, check it out. If you’re not sure what to do, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or physical therapist for advice.
