Contusions, also known as bruises, can be painful and impact your daily life. But many people wonder if contusions hurt when resting. To answer this question, we’ve consulted with chiropractor experts and physiotherapists. They’ve shared their insights on the impact of rest on contusions.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what a contusion is. A contusion happens when there’s an impact on a part of your body, causing blood vessels to break and leak blood into surrounding tissue. The blood pools beneath the skin and causes discoloration. This can make the area tender and painful to touch. After a contusion, the damaged area swells, becomes stiff, and painful. The swelling and stiffness increase in the first hours to days after the contusion and then improve over time. It is important to note that everyone feels pain differently. Some people may feel contusion pain constantly, while others may have more contusion pain at night.
When it comes to resting, it can help alleviate some of the pain, but may not completely eliminate it. According to chiropractors, resting is essential for the healing process because when a contusion occurs, the body creates a clot which is vital to the repair process. The clot gets replaced by fibrous tissue and healed blood capillaries over a few days or weeks. However, if you continue to put pressure on the affected area, it can slow down the healing process.
On the other hand, physiotherapists suggest alternate activities to help with pain relief. Gentle exercises and specific stretches can help to improve blood flow and reduce tension in the affected area. When you do these exercises, use pain as your guide and never push to the point of further injury. Rest is important for the natural healing process of the contusion but can become detrimental if not enough or too much is done.
Another thing you can try is using ice treatment. Applying a cold pack on the contusion as soon as possible can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Ice treatment can also help to reduce pain temporarily. Always place a buffer such as a cloth between your skin and the ice pack to avoid direct contact with the ice and causing further damage.
When considering medication for contusions, over-the-counter painkillers can help to alleviate pain, but it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any medicine.
In summary, contusions can be painful even while resting but are essential for the healing process. Chiropractors suggest rest, and physiotherapists suggest gentle exercises and stretches to aid pain relief. Ice therapy can help reduce discomfort and inflammation. Finally, always consult with your healthcare provider before taking any medication or doing any treatment. Rest, gentle exercise, ice treatment, and medication aid the healing process, but remember, always use pain as your guide, and never push yourself to the point of further damage.
