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Sports injury Easing the strain	Sports injury The seriousness of a sports injury is usually indicated by the level of pain; the worse the pain, the more serious the injury is likely to be. If you experience severe pain, immediate noticeable swelling or you are having difficulty weight bearing, you should seek medical attention. However, many sports injuries, including mild sprains and strains, can be self-treated. Apply these PRICE principles as soon as you can: Protection: support the injured part by taping or strapping it to protect against further damage. In the case of a leg injury, this may mean using crutches or a stick in the early stages. An upper limb injury may require a sling. Protection may be necessary for the first 3 or so days whilst healing gets underway. Rest: continuing to exercise a damaged muscle or ligament immediately following an injury can turn a minor problem into a major one. A rest from sport or vigorous activity for the first 3-5 days helps promote healing. Ice: apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas (wrapped in a damp tea towel to prevent ice burns) immediately for 5-10 minutes and repeat every 2 hours. Never apply heat, linaments or soak in a hot bath during the first 72 hours following injury as it can make things worse. Compression: although a compression bandage will help reduce swelling, make sure you use a stretchy bandage and don’t apply it too tightly. Elevation: elevate the injured part as soon as and whenever possible. Ideally this should be above the level of your heart. When should I see a physiotherapist? The best policy is to apply the PRICE principles immediately following injury. If the injury does not improve significantly within 48 hours, make an appointment with a chartered physiotherapist.