A sprained knee or pulled shoulder muscle used to mean days of rest and weeks of frustration. But today’s treatments are faster, smarter, and focused on long-term recovery. The goal is to get you back to the activities you love—stronger than before. Here’s how modern sports medicine is transforming the way we heal from everyday injuries.
The Shift from “RICE” to “PEACE & LOVE”
For decades, the standard injury treatment was “RICE”—Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. While it helped reduce swelling in the short term, the research shows that a more active and holistic strategy leads to better long-term outcomes. PEACE & LOVE is a modern framework that supports your body’s natural healing process while also addressing the mental and physical aspects of recovery.1
PEACE for the first few days after injury
- Protection – Avoid activities that could worsen the injury during the early phase of healing.
- Elevation – Raise the injured limb above heart level to reduce swelling.
- Avoid anti-inflammatories – While tempting, NSAIDs may hinder tissue healing in the early phase.
- Compression – Use wraps or sleeves to minimize swelling and provide support.
- Education – Learn about your injury and understand the healing process to avoid overtreatment or passive recovery.
LOVE as the healing progresses:
- Load – Gradually reintroduce movement and weight-bearing to rebuild strength and tissue resilience.
- Optimism – A positive mindset has been shown to improve recovery outcomes.
- Vascularization – Engage in pain-free aerobic activities that boost blood flow and stimulate healing.
- Exercise – Incorporate targeted rehab exercises to restore mobility, stability, and strength.
This dynamic approach doesn’t just treat the injury—it empowers you to take an active role in your recovery journey, helping you return to activity with confidence and resilience.
Personalized Physical Therapy Gets You Back Sooner
In keeping with this approach, modern orthopedic rehab is more than just ice packs and ice—it’s tech-driven, performance-focused, and highly personalized. Diagnostic tools like Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Selected Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) help identify and correct underlying dysfunction. Treatment may include advanced techniques such as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Trigger Point Dry Needling, and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). These techniques form a comprehensive, science-backed plan tailored to your injury, sport, and long-term goals.
Recovery isn't just about rest—it's about restoring function, optimizing performance, and preventing future injury. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery of the shoulder and knee, Dr. DiGiulio combines the latest techniques with a deep understanding of human movement. If you're dealing with a recent injury or lingering pain, schedule a consultation today.
AUTHOR: Milan M. DiGiulio, M.D. offers comprehensive Orthopaedic care for you and your entire family, specializing in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee. Dr. DiGiulio performs over 200 arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgeries each year, using the most advanced surgical technology. Dr. DiGiulio is an advocate of non-invasive, non-surgical treatment options such as Physical Therapy and Orthobiologics.
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