Wednesday, 19 September 2012

First Aid for Sprains: The RICE Method

By James K Zane


What is the RICE Method?

The RICE method is a fairly easy few actions for the treatment of an assortment of injuries, such as joint injuries, fractures, and contusions (or bruises). It's valuable as immediate treatment and as a kind of long-term therapy. It's quick, basic, and needs to be done immediately after virtually any sports injury. For this site's objectives, we'll deal with the technique as it pertains to sprains.

RICE is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Certainly makes it much simpler to remember, especially if you have to treat a sprain while hurt. This kind of protocol ought to be used for not less than 2 days after the initial personal injury, or more according to the degree of the sprain. Remember to be aware that the RICE method would not replace medical treatment.

The Steps for the RICE Method

Step 1: Rest

Rest means stop making use of the sprained joint. This part is both the most straightforward and most challenging phase. This is principally true of sports athletes, who're witout a doubt extra prone to joint injuries, because so many athletes "push through the pain". It is just as hard if it's a joint that's always in use, like in a sprained ankle. Whilst this may make you stronger than others, it's certainly not facilitating the healing of your injury.

Step 2: Ice

Apply ice, a coldpack, or a rag soaked in ice water on the sprain as quickly as possible. If utilizing ice cubes, ensure they're in a bag or wrapped with a rag for the reason that ice could cause cold injuries for the skin. It is also important to remove the cold in 15 or 20 minutes and let the joint to return to a normal temperature again, likewise for about 15 to 20 minutes. Follow this on-off pattern as often as you can, at least 3 times each day.

Step 3: Compression

Apply pressure to the damaged joint with an elastic wrap. Hold the joint as snugly and solidly as is feasible, but be sure not to restrict circulation. To keep your blood going properly, wrap the sprain looser on the part of the joint nearest your heart. This will allow the blood out of the sprain to maintain adequate blood flow. As soon as the injured joint has been correctly wrapped you ought to hold the end of the wrapping with something so that it will not loosen up as time passes.

Step 4: Elevation

Have your sprained body part raised above the height of the heart. In cases where you now have a foot sprain, recline and prop it on a cushion. If you have a sprained thumb, recline and support the hand. Only a few sprains are easy to elevate, nevertheless it will be extremely helpful to do this.

How does it work?

The core purpose of the RICE method is to circumvent inflammation. When a joint is hurt, the surrounding regions are weakened. This triggers some internal bleeding and some accumulation of fluid as the body makes an effort to protect against worse damage. However, that same fluid increase brings about soreness and stiffness from a sprain. It may also increase the recovery time for sprains. Instead, keep to the RICE method for the shortest, most comfortable rehabilitation from a sprain.




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