Injury support

The sports season is in full swing, and often it's accompanied by sports injuries. If you or your child suffers a soft tissue or bone injury, the best immediate treatment is easy to remember: RICE.

Rest: Reduce or stop using the injured area for at least 48 hours. Ice: Put an ice pack on the area for 15 minutes at a time, four to eight times per day. Use a cold pack, ice bag or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Compression: Ask your child's doctor or nurse about ace wraps, air casts or splints that can be used to provide extra support and compresses the injured area to reduce swelling. Be sure the wrap is not applied too tightly. Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart to help decrease swelling.

If an injury involves severe pain or visible deformity, it should be looked at immediately by a medical professional. If symptoms continue or don't get better over 48 hours, the injury should be looked at by a medical professional. Don't forget to use your sport- specific protective equipment to help reduce the risk of injury.