After any injury, follow up with your athletic trainer as soon as you can. 

Here is a more in-depth explanation of each of the acronym's points: 

P - Protect: Unload or restrict movement for 1–3 days to minimize bleeding, prevent distension of injured fibers and reduce the risk of aggravating the injury.

E - Elevate: Elevate the affected limb or area higher than the heart to promote interstitial fluid flow out of tissues. 

A - Avoid Anti-Inflammatories: The various phases of inflammation help repair damaged soft tissues. Thus, inhibiting inflammation using medications may negatively affect long-term tissue healing. Only take Tylenol/Acetaminophen for the first 24-48 hours to manage pain, avoid NSAIDs like Advil/Motrin/Ibuprofen, Aleve/Naproxen Sodium, etc. until at least 48-hours post-injury. Using ice can disrupt inflammation, angiogenesis, and revascularisation, delay neutrophil and macrophage infiltration as well as increase immature myofibers. This may lead to impaired tissue repair and redundant collagen synthesis. 

C - Compression: External mechanical pressure using taping or bandages helps limit intra-articular edema and tissue hemorrhage.

E - Education: Better education on the condition and load management will help avoid overtreatment. 

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L - Load: Mechanical stress should be added early and normal activities resumed as soon as symptoms allow. Optimal loading without exacerbating pain promotes repair, remodeling, and builds tissue tolerance and the capacity of tendons, muscles, and ligaments. 

O - Optimism: Optimistic patient expectations are associated with better outcomes and prognoses.

V - Vascularization: Pain-free aerobic exercise should be started a few days after injury to boost motivation and increase blood flow to the injured structures. Early mobilization and aerobic exercise improve physical function, supporting a return to participation and reducing the need for pain medication in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. 

E - Exercise: Exercises help to restore mobility, strength, and proprioception early after injury.  Pain should be avoided to ensure optimal repair during the subacute phase of recovery and should be used as a guide for exercise progressions.

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