POLICE
Protect: protect the injury, depending on the injury use a cast or bandage to support it.
Optimal Loading: Start to put weight and move the muscle (can be a light walk or just using the limb). After having rested for a good amount of time.
Ice: important to apply ice to the area several times a day, for it can reduce swelling, promote blood flow to the area and decrease pain levels.
Compression: Compressing the area can help to reduce swelling and relieve pressure that might cause further injury. Can be done with a cast or bandage
Elevate: elevate the injury on a pillow or keep in a cast, this can decrease swelling and bruising.
Police is a newer way of treating an injury than RICE, albeit they are still very similar. You may use either one, depending on your preference, but I would primarily use POLICE, for it is more recent and is most likely a better way of treating an injury.
RICE
Rest: Make sure to get optimal levels of sleep (8 hours minimum) after a injury or accident. This helps your body recover more quickly and ensures a good recovery.
Ice: Important to apply ice to the area several times a day, for it can reduce swelling, promote blood flow to the area and decrease pain levels.
Compression: Compressing the area can help to reduce swelling and relieve pressure that might cause further injury. Can be done with a cast or bandage.
Elevate: elevate the injury on a pillow or keep in a cast, this can decrease swelling and bruising.
