S
welling is a major reason people experience pain, and too often, it
is often overlooked and/or ignored too often. Usually people attribute swelling as a byproduct of pain, yet swelling is often the reason for pain. Swelling has also been shown to impair motion and strength. One of the most important steps you can take for relief is to address the swelling head-on. Often, especially after an acute injury, swelling is noticeable and impossible to overlook. Most people have been taught to elevate and use ice to reduce the swelling. It is also common for people to use ice to alleviate pain, but the exact instructions are not always clear. Ice is a vasoconstrictor, which means it slows blood flow. If you have an acute injury, using ice for the first 36-48 hours may help minimize the extent of your swelling. After 48 hours, there is no evidence that it helps with swelling.
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