P.E.A.C.E and L.O.V.E

On a previous blog post we talked about why the RICE philosophy is outdated.  

Just to remind you, RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.  If you are still using the RICE methodology post injury then I suggest you hop over to this post and learn more about why RICE is outdated.  

Now that we have moved on from RICE we have new acronym...and it is longer and more involved.  BUT it is way more effective. 

Introducing PEACE and LOVE. 

This post-injury methodology reflects a growing understanding of the complexities of tissue healing and the importance of a more dynamic and individualized approach to injury management.  

Peace and Love stands for:

• Protection
• Elevation
• Avoidance
• Compression
• Education
• Load
• Optimization
• Vascularization
• Exercise

Each one of these principles could get their own blog post but for now let’s take a high level view of each of these principles.

Let's start with PEACE.

This acronym focuses on the initial management of acute pain.

• Protection: Restricting activities that aggravate the pain in the first few days after injury is crucial. This might involve using crutches, a brace, or modifying sports participation.
• Elevation: Elevating the injured area above the level of the heart helps reduce swelling.
• Avoid: Avoid anti-inflammatory medications as they reduce tissue healing and avoid icing.
• Compression: Applying compression with a bandage of brace can help reduce swelling and provide support.
• Education: Understanding the nature of the injury and the treatment plan is essential for successful recovery. 

Next lets overview LOVE.

This acronym focuses on the gradual return to activity and long-term management.

• Load: Let pain guide your gradual return to normal activities.  Your body will tell you when its safe to increase load.
• Optimism: Condition your brain for optimal recovery by being confident and positive.
• Vascularization: Choose pain-free cardiovascular activities to increase blood flow to repairing tissues.
• Exercise: Restore mobility, strength and proprioception by adopting an active approach to recovery. 

PEACE and LOVE provide a framework for injury healing.  However, as always, specificity is needed and the application of some of these principles with vary depending on the individual injury and the athlete’s level of activity. 

This framework is a great place to start with injury healing. 

So ditch RICE and embrace PEACE and LOVE. 

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional 1 for any health concerns or before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment