Acute Injury Management: PEACE & LOVE

So, you’ve hurt yourself at work or sport. What do you do?

You’re not sure whether ice or heat is best and most importantly when can you return to the things you love?

Over the years there have been many acronyms to follow to manage an injury. Some of the most well-known are RICER and POLICE. RICER stood for rest, ice, compression, elevation, and referral. POLICE stood for protect, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation.

But there is a new kid on the block due to emerging evidence. PEACE & LOVE.

This stands for protection, elevation, avoid anti-inflammatories & ice, compression, education, load, optimism, vascularisation, and exercise.

But what does this actually mean?

In the first few days it is best to PROTECT an injury and avoid HARM. HARM stands for heat, alcohol, running (or inappropriate exercise), and massage. Protection can also include taping or bracing a joint or using a sling or crutches. 

Early in your recovery it is important to manage your swelling with ELEVATION AND COMPRESSION. This involves putting your injured limb above your heart and wrapping it in a bandage or alternative compression garment.

It is also recommended to AVOID ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES & ICE. This is due to emerging evidence that these may slow down tissue healing.

Next, we gradually LOAD the tissue to promote healing and to improve function.

Keeping positive and having an OPTIMISTIC outlook can also help with recovery.

VASCULARISATION involves increasing blood flow to the repairing tissue with pain-free cardiovascular activities.

And lastly, EXERCISE to restore mobility, strength, and proprioception to return to your pre-injury performance.