You may remember a blog we wrote commentating on the 2020 British Journal of Sports Medicine article for acute tissue injury care. This article suggested all we need to manage soft tissue injuries is PEACE and LOVE. Well science moves fast and there is a counter argument to this proposal already.
PEACE approach is described as
- P Protection of the injury site
- E Elevation
- A Avoidance of anti-inflammatories and cryotherapy (ice)
- C Compression
- E Education
The PEACE approach may be an effective way to manage small injuries, however, Greek researchers argue that PEACE may not be the most effective for medium to large soft tissue injuries in the early stages.
The controversy is due to the use of ice – also known as cryotherapy. It is thought that ice is key in reducing or delaying inflammation, which some see as a bad thing. However, it may not affect the recovery time if you do or do not ice.
Furthermore, ice is thought to have many positive effects on large soft tissue injuries. In a larger injury the effect of swelling can include increased pressure on surrounding tissues including injured tissue and surrounding nerves. This can cause joint immobility and muscle inhibition resulting in reduced movement and therefore functional loss.
There is evidence that ice can limit the effect of the swelling, even if minimally, which helps reduce these effects. Ice has also been shown to reduce pain. Ice is also thought to reduce the secondary effects of swelling, like loss of oxygen to surrounding tissues, which implicates unharmed tissue.
The researchers therefore propose an alternative acronym for larger acute injuries – CARE
- C Cryotherapy and Compression (ice and compression)
- A Avoid harmful movements and loading
- R Rehabilitation through specific techniques
- E Elevation
If you have any issues with a soft tissue injury, large or small, come in and speak to one of our highly experiences Physiotherapists at one of our four Sydney city locations.
References:
Fousekis. K., Tsepis. E. (2021) Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 20, 799-800
Minor Soft Tissue Injuries may need PEACE in the Acute Phase (jssm.org)
