Soft Tissue Injuries Information Center

• Return to Main
• Soft Tissue Injuries - An Overview
• What To Expect in a Soft Tissue Injury Case
• Treatment and Prevention
• What To Do if You Are Injured in an Accident
• What Is Whiplash?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tissue Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injuries Resource Links
• Soft Tissue Injuries Contact Form

Treatment and Prevention

No matter the cause, soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, muscle strain and ligament damage can be difficult to recognize and diagnose. These injuries can cause great pain and discomfort. Proper medical treatment of soft tissue injuries is the key to your recovery. This article describes some of the methods used to treat soft tissue injuries and offers tips on preventing these injuries. If you have been in an automobile accident; are experiencing pain due to repetitive movement at work; or have been involved in any other incident that caused soft tissue injuries, it is important that you seek medical care as soon as possible to protect your well-being. It is also important to consult an experienced personal injury attorney at Winters & Yonker in Tampa, FL, to preserve your legal rights if you have suffered a soft tissue injury.

Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries

If you have a soft tissue injury such as whiplash, muscle strain or ligament damage, treatment can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury — from simple rest of the injured area to corrective surgery. Other methods of treatment include physical therapy and medication.

Regarding treatment of the injury during the first 48 to 72 hours, medical care providers often use two acronyms known as "RICER" and "No HARM."

The "RICER" acronym advises:

• Rest the injured area to ensure that no further tissue damage or bleeding occurs due to movement
• Ice should be applied to the injured area to reduce pain and swelling, but be sure to use a towel or plastic bag as a barrier rather than applying the ice directly to the skin
• Compression should be used to reduce bleeding and swelling of the injured area
• Elevate the injured area to a height above heart level, also to decrease bleeding, pain and swelling
• Refer to an experienced medical care provider

The "No HARM" acronym recommends:

• No Heat, sauna treatments, hot water bottles or hot oils, which can increase bleeding
• No Alcohol, which can increase swelling and bleeding
• No Running or other exercise that can make your injuries worse before they fully heal
• No Massage, which may increase swelling and bleeding

Prevention of Soft Tissue Injuries

While sudden occurrences such as automobile accidents cannot always be prevented, you can take a number of steps to avoid the kinds of soft tissue injuries that result from repetitive motion, overextension and sports activity.

If your job involves repetitive physical activity such as cutting meat or typing, you may be at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome or another repetitive strain injury. Talk with a manager or human resources liaison about hazards and possible solutions, such as special office chairs, wrist braces and other devices. You can also prevent on-the-job back and neck injuries by using proper posture, form and technique, along with ergonomic equipment, when lifting heavy objects and performing other physical tasks.

If you participate in sports and other physical activities, you can help prevent muscle and ligament damage by stretching properly beforehand and by doing warm-up exercises prior to engaging in strenuous activity.

Speak With an Attorney

If you have suffered a soft tissue injury, seek appropriate medical care. Then consult an experienced personal injury attorney at Winters & Yonker in Tampa, FL, to discuss your legal options.

Copyright ©2009 FindLaw, a Thomson Business

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

Return to Main