How does compression from an ace bandage decrease inflammation?

Answer 1

We must first understand the purpose of inflammation before we answer the question above. As a general summary, Inflammation is the body's natural response to any trauma or infection. Once the accident has occured, the area of impact/infection begins to leak a substance called plasma, informing the immune system to 'send help'. Swelling begins to occur for multiple reasons: 1)The building plasma levels, 2)white blood cells beginning to accumulate to fight off and 'eat' (phagocytize) broken cells and infectious agents, and 3) vasodilation. You will notice that the area swells and becomes warmer: this is due to the dilation of the blood vessels (in order to send the white blood cells in to begin their 'clean up'). The ace bandage acts as a means of physically constricting the blood vessels. Now you may ask, why would you want to constrict the blood vessels if they are fighting off the infectious agents?" My answer (from my understanding) is that the main objective is to deal with the pain - in any minor case of inflammation. The pain is caused by the pressure of the swelling on the surrounding tissue. The ace bandage reduces the body's natural response to swell, thus reducing pain and inflammation. Hope this helps. 4th year Pre-Med student at UGA, who happened to be studying inflammation for his exam today.