Peace and Love
Soft tissue injuries simply need some PEACE & LOVE
RICE, RICER, POLICE…all acronyms for acute soft tissue injury management focusing only on the immediate management.
What about the long term management? As Physiotherapists, we need to focus on treating the person with the injury, not just treating the injury of the person – long-term outcomes are paramount.
Enter Dubois and Esculier’s proposed 2 acronyms in 2019 to optimise soft tissue recovery: PEACE & LOVE
“Immediate after soft tissue injury, do no harm and let PEACE guide your approach.”
P = Protect
- Unload / restricted movement for 1-3 days
- Minimise rest
- Let pain guide gradual reloading
E = Elevate
- Elevate the injured limb higher than the heart
A = Avoid anti-inflammatory modalities
- NSAIDS may negatively affect long term tissue healing
- Avoid ice ** This is a highly debated topic that we will discuss later in greater detail **
C = Compress
- External mechanical compression such as taping or bandaging may reduce intra-articular oedema
E = Educate
- Educate on the benefits of an active approach to rehabilitation instead of a passive approach
- Early passive therapies have minimal effect on pain and function compared to an active approach
- Load management and realistic recovery timeframes are linked to enhanced outcomes
“After the first days have passed, soft tissues need LOVE”
L = Load
- Adopting an active approach with movement and exercise has the greatest benefits for musculoskeletal injuries
- Normal activities should resume as soon as they can
- Optimal loading without increasing pain
O = Optimism
- The brain plays a significant part in rehabilitation interventions
- Stay realistic, but encourage optimism to improved chances of an optimal outcome
- V = Vascularisation
- Early cardiovascular physical activity is required for an optimal recovery
E = Exercise
- Evidence supports the use of exercise therapy to restore mobility, strength and proprioception
- Avoid pain to promote optimal repair in the subacute phase
- Pain should be used as a guide to gradually increase level of difficulty
Soft tissue injuries simply need PEACE & LOVE.
Have you sustained a soft tissue injury? Our team of Sports & Exercise Physiotherapists are here and ready to help!
Call ☎️ 9873 2770 or book online today ? https://bookings.nookal.com/bookings/location/39XKS