Call Us 904-JOI-2000
Custom Search
Sort by: Relevance Relevance Date |
Swelling is the body’s natural response to injury and trauma. Fluids rush to the injured area to provide cells that heal the injured tissue. Although theses fluids are meant to protect and start the healing process, they can also bring some lasting negative effects if it continues to linger. Some negative effects can be as follows:
Swelling can be caused by various conditions which may include the following:
Swelling in the feet can be tougher to deal with than other areas. The main reason is gravity. The venous and lymphatic systems carry fluids and waist away from the body tissue. Those systems are aided by gravity and muscle contractions. Read this article Do You Have Swollen Feet to learn more about reducing feet swelling.
Standing and walking place the feet is a position that prevents gravity from assisting with fluid return.
Since gravity is so important with reducing swollen feet, it is important to place the feet in a position that allows gravity to help.
Elevating the feet above the level of the heart is the best to do this. Obviously you cannot stay in this position all the time, but 20 minutes at a time can help if your feet are swollen.
Elevating your feet will help swelling
Compression stockings may also help to encourage excessive fluid to move away from the injured or swollen area.
Click to Learn about Knee Swelling.
The quick answer to how to reduce swelling fast is the RICE protocol detailed below. This is Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Although this seems like common sense, many people try to push through the injury and get back to normal activity too quickly. Using the injured body part right after an initial injury only brings excess swelling to what has already begun to form and does not help reduce swelling. Continuing activities as normal with no rest brings more swelling to the area because the stresses you are putting on the injury causes the body to produce more fluid to heal the damaged tissues. Taking a few days rest will help keep the swelling to a normal amount and the reduction of swelling will be faster in the long run.
Cold therapy always helps reduce pain and swelling. It reduces the blood flow to the area, reduces swelling, and keeps it to a normal level until healed. Any form of cold therapy can be beneficial, such as: ice packs, ice baths, and ice machines that deliver cold water to wraps. Ice should be used a few times a day for about 20-30 minutes at a time to reduce swelling effectively.
Ice on the ankle
Pressure on an injury helps constrict blood flow and excess fluid from reaching the injury. There are a few ways to apply compression to an injury. Be careful to not apply too much to avoid cutting off circulation. Check the color of your toes to make sure the compression is not too tight. Some common ways to apply compression are elastic bandages, compression sleeves for specific body parts, and cold compresses. As time goes on and the swelling is being reduced, make sure to adjust the tightness of the form of compression you are using to avoid return of the fluids.
How to Reduce Swelling.
The key to reducing swelling with elevation is to get the injury above the level of your heart. This decreases blood flow to the area which means less swelling. Sometimes you may have to adjust how you are sitting or lying down and reclining in necessary. If it is a lower leg injury like an ankle, keeping your feet up will decrease the fluid from pooling into your ankles.
This method has been tried and true for a long time serious medical issues and should not be ignored. If the RICE method does not seem to be working for you and swelling continues to linger or worsen, please do not hesitate to contact your doctor and get evaluated.
Physical therapy can play a major role in the reduction of swelling within the body. Therapists can use modalities such as ice, electrical stimulation, heat, laser, and soft tissue mobilization to help you get rid of swelling within your body.
Related Links:
JOI Physicians continue to accept new patients. We are here to help you with all of your orthopedic conditions. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.
