Why does first aid for sprains/strains etc (Rest Ice Compress Elevate) focus on reducing swelling? Doesn’t swelling help with healing?

Question

It’s my understanding that swelling is the body’s way of delivering healing “supplies” to the injured area. Why are we stopping that from occurring?

In: 96

Answer 1

Swelling helps with healing in the sense that it encourages you to not use that region. If you’re aware it’s sprained then you no longer need that response. Also swelling can be dangerous in its own right. Better to just reduce it and any accompanying pain