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RICE for your Injuries
"By putting ice on the injured area, you can reduce your recovery time by half."
It's
easy to pull a muscle or sprain a joint, whether from a sports injury, an
accident such as a fall, or from simply overdoing everyday activities like
gardening or shoveling snow (don't laugh ... it's Chicago and we're not out of the woods yet!). Use the RICE formula immediately after hurting
yourself. You'll dramatically reduce the time it takes for your injury to heal
and get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.
RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Follow the RICE formula for the first 48 hours following an injury and
then see your massage therapist, as massage becomes an important part of the rehabilitation process, helping to eliminate muscle spasms, restore or increase range of motion, and aid in the removal of scar tissue. Massage enables you to get back to your sports and other daily
activities as quickly as possible. To help prevent excessive pain and swelling try not to use the injured part. Put an ice pack on the area, use a tensor bandage to provide some
compression and elevate the limb. Read more_________________________________________________________ If you have specific health concerns, consult your medical doctor. The information in this newsletter is educational only and is not intended to replace the advice of your personal health providers.
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To Ice or Not To Ice
When your body's hurting it feels comforting to put a hot water bottle
or a heating pad on the sore areas. But it may not always be a great
idea. Heat can aggravate your injuries and prolong your pain. When
should you use heat and when should you use ice? If you're ever in doubt
use ice.
Read here for more guidelines
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Q&A: When to See the Doctor
This depends on the type of injury and how serious it is. A severe acute injury (one that occurs suddenly) might require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor or go the hospital emergency ward if you have any of the following symptoms:
· stabbing or radiating pain
· numbness or tingling
· significant swelling
· severe weakness
· inability to move the injured body part
Overuse injuries like tennis elbow or runner's knee are injuries that are the result of the wear and tear of repetitive movements and probably won't require a doctor's care. The doctor will likely refer you for massage or some other form of conservative therapy. However, if the pain is severe, persists for more than 10 days, or gets worse, a visit to the doctor would be a wise thing to do.
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 Special Offer
**Runners and Endurance Athletes** 30 minutes free on your first massage with any 2010 race entry confirmation or when race bib is presented
*Offer expires 6/30/10
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