PRICE – Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation for Injuries: Teen Version

What is PRICE?

Protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE) is a treatment for minor muscle strains, sprains, bruises and other injuries. It is used for the first several days after an injury.

Protection
After an injury, it is important to protect the area from more injury. Depending on where your injury is, you may need to use a sling, splint, crutches, cane, or walking sticks.

Rest
After an injury, you need to take time off from your activities to allow your body to heal. For example, if you sprained your ankle, you may need to avoid walking or putting weight on your ankle. If you were hurt while playing sports, it’s important not to return to play until your injury has healed. Returning to play too early may make the injury worse.

Ice
Try to put ice on an injury as soon as possible. Ice helps control pain and swelling. Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a cloth, on the injured area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time. You may use ice for up to 3 days. Never put ice directly on the skin.

Compression
You may use an elastic bandage, trainer's tape, or even a piece of clothing to wrap around the injured area. Be sure not to wrap it too tightly. If it’s too tight, it can cut off the blood supply to the injured area. Compression helps limit swelling of the injured area. It also gives some additional support to the injured area.

Elevation
Raising the injured part of your body up on a pillow is another way to help decrease swelling. It works best if you keep the body part above the level of your heart. This helps to keep fluid from building up in the injured area. If you cannot raise the injured body part above the level of your heart, try to keep it from hanging down by resting it on pillows or a chair.

Treating an injury with PRICE can lessen swelling, pain, and help you heal faster. Ask your healthcare provider:

• How long it will take to recover from this injury
• If there are activities you should avoid, including when you can return to normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup.