Avoid activities that cause pain or swelling to your injury. Pay attention to aches and pains. Exercising before an injury has healed may worsen the injury and increase the chance of re-injury. Rest is needed for repair. Rest an injury until it is pain free.
Ice is the most effective, safest, and cheapest first aid treatment for injuries.
Apply ice as soon as possible. Applying ice relieves the pain, slows the blood flow to the injury, and reduces the swelling. The ice application reduces tissue damage and speeds the repair process. Ice should be reapplied for 10 to 30 minutes intermittently for 48 to 72 hours. Be sure to protect your skin, with a towel, from the direct application of ice.