means to reduce swelling

[msk101]

Hi,
I'm curious as to why you're asking (are you planning on trying on yourself or a client? are you researching ideas? etc.??

I think it's important to understand the reason for swelling being present in the first place ... eg. is there fluid because of cardiac overload... will you risk increasing kidney load or cardiac load by pushing extracellular fluids back into the central blood volume? or is it just a musculoskeletal injury that's not been managed early enough and has residual swelling and thickenings?

For the latter, I am a fan of contrast baths to stimulate the dilation/contraction of peripheral blood vessels to move old or thickened oedema. This works really well for icky ankles and wrists. not so good for proximal issues. eg. for an ankle. Get 2 large tubs (big enough to put foot flat into the bottom of). Fill one with warm (but not super hot) water, the other has iced water. put the offending foot/ankle (up to about mid-shin) in the ice for 30sec, then warm water 30sec. do this 3 times each then finish with 45-60 seconds in the ice. This is NOT FUN to do but works quite well. This often then allows more freedom of movement at the joint so you can do your mobilisations, gait training or management to prevent the swelling returning. This can be done daily or more often depending on your clinical decisions regarding the swelling.

For any oedema that you are concerned is not a local musculoskeletal issue, make sure your client is cleared by a doctor, is on appropriate medications (ie. diuretics) etc before you jump in to "treat" the fluid at a local level.

Cheers,
msk101

[geri42]

hi msk101,
thank you for your clever and wise advices. i'm interested in this issue for two reasons: first i want to try to apply this on myself (i sprained my ankle a month ago ),and second on my patients in the clinic. .
since iv'e sprained my ankle i heard a lot of different sometimes odd and sometimes funny advices from common people about how to treat the swelling, and i'm
curious**in what other p.t.'s have in mind according to their experience