SPRAINS AND BRUISES

Sprains and bruises are so well known to us that they hardly need any explanation. What family has not had a member with a twisted ankle or severe bruising at some time or the other? How many are the people who have been laid up for a week or two with their ankles or knees swollen and painful. But this need not be. The prompt and proper application of hot and cold water will bring almost instant relief and put you back on your feet again in a matter of hours or even less.

This is what happens in this kind of accident. The sudden wrenching of the joint damages the network of fine capillaries. Finding its return route damaged, the incoming blood piles up. This blood quickly becomes de-oxygenated and dies with the result that it turns black and blue. This explains the colour of a bruised or sprained joint.

The concentration of blood and damaged cell fluid under pressure causes swelling and pain. Unless this congestion is speedily removed, the pain and swelling will increase. The body does not, of itself, have the ability to remove this quickly. It needs assistance. If this is not received, it will take many days for this congestion to be removed by the slow process of absorption. It is important to understand that until this dead material is removed, no actual healing can begin. In other words, the real time lag in the restoration is not in the healing process, which is actually quite short, but in the clearing away of congestion.

Therefore, the best treatment for this is one that will clear the congestion as quickly as possible so that the life-giving blood can flow again, bringing with it restorative nutrients and oxygen. Nothing can do this as fast as hot and cold water treatments.