Final answer:
Emergency medicine professionals use the RICE principle (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with an athletic injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emergency medicine professionals use the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) principle to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with an athletic injury.
Rest: It involves giving the injured area adequate time to heal and avoiding activities that may worsen the injury.
Ice: Applying ice to the injury helps to reduce swelling and pain by constricting blood vessels.
Compression: Using compression, such as a bandage or wrap, helps to reduce swelling and provides support to the injured area.
Elevation: Elevating the injured area above the heart helps to minimize swelling by allowing fluid to drain away from the injury site.