How to Cure Swelling

Swelling occurs after injury to a body part or with systemic disease. It can cause loss of joint motion if left untreated. Acute swelling occurs after injury and is usually temporary. Systemic diseases like congestive heart failure affect the body's ability to circulate fluid, causing chronic swelling in the lower extremities. Several techniques can be used to decrease swelling, whether acute or chronic.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Compression wrap
• Pillow

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Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your dietary intake of salt and drink plenty of water to flush extra fluid out of your body.

• 2

  Sit with your injured body part elevated above the level of your heart whenever possible during the day. This will utilize gravity to assist the fluid back to the heart to improve circulation.

• 3

  Put an ice pack, bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables on the injured body part for 15 to 20 minutes several times per day. If possible, do this with the body part elevated.

• 4

  Wrap the body part with a compression bandage. Begin at the point farthest from the trunk (toes or hands) and overlap half of the width each time around. If you feel tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes, the wrap must be loosened.

• 5

  Gently exercise the injured body part as instructed by your health care professional. Muscle contraction helps pump fluid out of the joint and surrounding tissues.