How to manage Acute Injuries and Pain

What happens during an injury?

When you get injured, the body’s natural response will be inflammation.  Signs and symptoms of acute inflammation will be swelling, redness, heat and pain.  Mainly caused by the increased blood flow associated with swelling.

Thus, initial management of an acute injury will be to reduce the inflammation and swelling.

 Rest

Resting the injured area will prevent further injuries and also help start the healing process.  The injured area will usually be weak and more vulnerable to further injury.

Ice or cold therapy

Ice helps decrease blood flow to the injured area by constricting the blood vessel, thus minimise swelling / inflammation

Compression

Applying compression around the injured area helps minimize swelling by preventing the build-up of fluid.  Compression can also help relief pain by immobilizing and providing support to the area.  It should not be too tight that it interferes with blood flow.

Elevation

Elevation of the injured area (above the level of the heart) will allow fluid to drain away from the area.  With gravity, swelling or fluid can pool at the joints below.