May 13, 2024
In the realm of first aid and injury management, the acronym RICER (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Referral) has long served as a guiding principle for treating acute injuries like sprains and strains.
While RICER has provided a useful mnemonic for many years, its reliance on rest and ice as primary interventions has faced scrutiny in light of evolving evidence-based practices and a deeper comprehension of injury physiology. Recognising the limitations of RICER and the necessity for a more holistic approach to injury management, medical and allied health professionals have embraced PEACE and LOVE as a more effective and empathetic framework. Let us share what it stands for… which should have you armed with all the best strategies if you or someone in your life gets injured.
Immediately after injury, do no harm and let PEACE guide your approach
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Protect: Immobilisation, bracing, or activity modification are employed to shield the injured area from further harm, ensuring a conducive environment for healing.
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Elevate: Elevating the injured limb or area assists in reducing swelling by enhancing venous return and minimising fluid accumulation, with elevation above heart level typically recommended.
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Avoid Anti-Inflammatory Modalities: The PEACE approach discourages routine use of ice and NSAIDs, acknowledging recent research indicating potential hindrance to the body's natural healing process by suppressing inflammation.
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Compress: Appropriate compression aids in managing swelling and offering support to the injured area, ensuring circulation is not compromised and tissue damage is not exacerbated.
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Educate: Empowering individuals with knowledge about their injury, its expected healing trajectory, and pertinent self-care strategies is pivotal for facilitating recovery and preventing re-injury. This is often the job of a medial or allied health professional, but families can also help talk about injuries in a less negative way.
After the first days have passed, soft tissues need LOVE.
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Load: Controlled and progressive loading of the injured tissue through movement and exercise plays a critical role in optimal tissue healing and functional recovery, facilitating strength, mobility, and resilience.
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Optimise: Prioritising overall health and well-being through factors such as nutrition, hydration, sleep, stress management, and lifestyle choices enhances the body's innate healing mechanisms and fosters recovery.
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Vascularisation: Promoting blood flow to the injured area via gentle movement, massage, and circulation-enhancing techniques facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for tissue repair.
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Exercise: Incorporating targeted exercises post-acute phase is vital for enhancing strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular control, aiding in functional restoration and mitigating the risk of future injury.
The OHL Physio team recommend you CLICK HERE to screenshot the acronym, which allows you to be best prepared with best evidence when injuries do happen!
(CLICK HERE - https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/2/72)
Also, it might be worth investing 3minutes in watching this VIDEO, which explores each action with a little more depth.
(VIDEO - https://youtu.be/HGTabgG7GIU)
How an OHL Physiotherapist can help:
Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in implementing the PEACE and LOVE framework, and supporting you to get back to what you want to do successfully. OHL Physiotherapists utilise their expertise to assess and diagnose the injury and then tailor rehabilitation programs that align with individual needs, whilst also promoting optimal recovery and preventing recurrence of injuries. Through targeted exercises, education, and guidance, physiotherapists empower individuals to actively participate in their healing journey, fostering resilience and restoring function – just like the PEAVE + LOVE framework encourages!
To book an appointment for yourself or your loved one, you can call us on 9431 5955 or book online via our client portal.
