Sports Medicine

Medicine > Treatment > No HARM

No H.A.R.M.

by Michael Wood

The No Harm principle complements the R.I.C.E.R. (Rest, ice, compress, elevate, referral) principle and is extremely important in the initial 48 hours following a soft tissue injury. Why is it necessary to adhere to the principle?

NO

H - Heat
A - Alcohol
R - Running/Exercising the injured area
M - Massage

Heat and alcohol cause the blood vessels to dilate (open up) and increase the bleeding in the injured area. Exercising the body part or massaging the area also increases the blood-flow to the area. This is detrimental to the repair process as there is increased swelling in the area to be resolved.

More information

• see also the RICE principle