WHAT TO DO

Should You Use a Compressive Bandage or Support?

Yes. If it is possible to apply a compressive bandage or elastic support to the injury, it will help to control swelling and bleeding in the first few days.  In most cases, the bandage/support will also help to support the injury as the new scar tissue is laid down. This should help to reduce your pain.

Some injuries will benefit from more support such as a brace or rigid strapping tape. Please contact your physiotherapist if you are uncertain what to do next.

Elevation?

Elevation of an injury in the first few days is very helpful. Think where your injury is and where your heart is. Gravity will encourage swelling to settle at the lowest point.  Try to rest your injury above your heart. Obviously some injuries are impossible or it would be detrimental to elevate, so please use your common sense and be guided by your pain.

When Should You Commence Treatment? 

In most cases, "the early bird gets the worm".  Researchers have found that intervention of physiotherapy treatment for acute soft tissue injuries within a few days has many benefits. 

Prompt Treatment Benefits include:

• Relieving your pain quicker via joint mobility techniques, soft tissue massage, electrotherapy etc
• Improving your scar tissue quality using techniques to guide the direction it forms
• Getting you back to sport or work quicker through faster healing rates
• Loosening or strengthening of your injured region with individually prescribed exercises and techniques
• Improving your performance when you do return to sport, work or simply daily life
• Correct any biomechanical faults that may be affecting your movement, technique or predisposing you to injury

What If You Do Nothing?

Research tells us that injuries left untreated do take longer to heal and have lingering pain. They are also more likely to recur and leave you with:

• abnormal scar tissue formation
• joint stiffness
• muscle weakness

It's important to remember that symptoms lasting longer than three months become habitual and are much harder to solve.  The sooner you get on top of your symptoms the better your outcome.