The Truth About Swelling: What Every Body Is Saying
Introduction
The human body typically functions in a balanced and coordinated way, with every system working together to maintain health. But when something goes wrong–like an infection, injury, or inflammation–it often sends visible signals. One of the most common–swelling.
How and Why Swelling Happens
Let’s break down what’s happening medically. Swelling is a part of the body's inflammatory response. It is the body's natural defense mechanism that activates when tissues are injured. Let's break it down further. When you fall, sprain or strain your ankle, little damage occurs in your body such as tissue damage–where tiny blood vessels are damaged. As a means to protect the body, immediately your body releases chemical signals like histamine, prostaglandins, and bradykinin (don't be bothered by the names, just know they are hormones). These signals cause the blood vessels in the injured area to dilate (widen) and become more permeable for blood flow. As a result of this, white blood cells, and proteins leak out of the vessels into the surrounding tissues to begin the healing process. This leads to swelling, medically known as inflammatory oedema.
So What Should You Do?
Now that we’ve explained the process, it’s important to know what to do when swelling occurs–especially after a fall, sprain, or strain. The fact that swelling appears doesn’t mean you should keep using the affected area as usual. Absolutely not!
“Putting pressure on a swollen joint–especially in the first 24–72 hours–can worsen the injury, increase inflammation, and delay healing. What your body needs at this point is rest and care, not stress.
However, we'll discuss what to do in such situations in the next DIY post.
Why Does Swelling Bother Physiotherapists?
Swelling isn’t just a minor “side effect” of injury—it’s a biological alarm bell. While it signals that your body is trying to heal, uncontrolled or prolonged swelling can lead to complications such as chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle weakness, or limited mobility. That’s why physiotherapists use a holistic rehabilitation approach that focuses on restoring your strength, flexibility, and full function–so you’re not just healed, but whole again.
Final Thoughts
Swelling doesn’t always mean trouble–but it does mean your body needs attention. Think of it as your body waving a flag, asking you to pause, protect, and care.
However, be aware: if you notice swelling without any injury, fall, or clear cause, don’t ignore it. It may not be inflammation-related and could indicate an underlying medical or systemic issue. In such cases, always seek professional evaluation.
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