Home Remedies: First-aid strategy called PRICE

There's an easy way to remember what to do when you twist an ankle, injure a muscle or suffer any other mild sprain or strain. It's a first-aid  strategy called PRICE. The acronym stands for:

• Protect the area to avoid pain and further injury.
• Rest to promote healing.
• Ice the injury to reduce inflammation.
• Compress the area to further reduce swelling.
• Elevate the injury above your heart to continue healing.

Watch: Dr. Cindy Kermott explains the five steps of the PRICE strategy.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (TRT 1:00) is in the downloads.

After the first two days, gently begin to use the injured area. You should see a gradual, progressive improvement in the ability to support weight and move without pain. Mild and moderate sprains usually heal fully in three to six weeks.

Read more about first aid strategies.