Your Athlete Got Hurt. Now What?
Rapid Sports Injury Triage & Physical Therapy in Holly Springs, NC: Watch Courtney Davis, PT, walk through exactly what to do in the first 48 hours after a sports injury, before you head to urgent care.
Sports Injury Protocol:
What To Do In The First 48 Hours.
In this video, Courtney Davis, PT, explains the PEACE and LOVE method for the first days after a sprain, strain, or bump. In the first 48 hours, the focus is protecting the injured area, elevating it, gentle compression, and avoiding anti-inflammatories that may slow healing. After that, gradually and safely loading the injury, staying positive, pain-free cardio, and targeted exercise can help support a faster return to sport.
PEACE & LOVE METHOD
Tired of the traditional RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method for treating sprained ankles, groin strains, and hamstring pulls? Introducing the PEACE & LOVE Method, a newer, more effective approach to sports injury recovery.
What is the PEACE & LOVE Method?
Protect: Protect the injured area from further damage by limiting activities that cause pain.
Elevate: Raise the injured area above your heart to reduce swelling.
Assess: Evaluate the extent of the injury and seek medical attention if necessary.
Compress: Apply gentle compression to the injured area to help control swelling.
Educate: Learn about your injury and recovery process from a healthcare professional.
Load: Gradually increase activity levels as tolerated to promote healing and prevent stiffness.
Optimism: Maintain a positive outlook and believe in your ability to recover.
Voluntary exercise: Engage in low-impact exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and balance.
Early mobilization: Start moving the injured area gently as soon as possible.
Why choose the PEACE & LOVE Method?
Faster recovery: Studies have shown that the PEACE & LOVE Method can lead to quicker recovery times compared to the RICE.
Reduced pain: By focusing on active recovery & reducing inflammation, the PEACE & LOVE Method can help alleviate pain & discomfort.
Improved function: This method can help you regain full range of motion & function in your injured area.
When to Skip the Wait and Get Seen Right Away
Go to urgent care or the emergency room if your athlete:
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Can’t put any weight on the injured leg or use the injured arm
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Has a visible deformity, or a bone looks out of place
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Has numbness, tingling, or a cold or pale hand or foot
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Hit their head and has headache, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, or memory problems
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Heard a loud pop with immediate, severe swelling
For head injuries, see a physician FIRST. Concussion care is different from the PEACE and LOVE method.
Injured? Don't Guess. Get a Plan in 30 Minutes.
Providing virtual injury assessments for Orthopedic injuries North Carolina residents.
Before you spend hours in a waiting room, book a Virtual Injury Assessment. we’ll help you determine the severity of your injury, provide immediate "Peace & Love" steps, and let you know if an MD visit is actually necessary. Save time. Save money. Start healing now!