When I used to bump into something, my mother always told me to rub that spot so I wouldn’t get bruised. I still do, although I’ve never really checked to see if it really works. Does it really work, and if so, how come?
Asker: Monica, 29 years old
Answer
This does not really work against bruising. The local friction does give sensory stimuli that “compete” with the pain stimuli that come from the same region. This can reduce the pain after punching.
Once a bruise has discolored, you can speed up the resorption of blood residues from the tissues by massaging. This stimulates local circulation, but the effect is not very spectacular.
Answered by
Dr Mistiaen Wilhelm
University of Antwerp
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp
http://www.uantwerpen.be
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp
http://www.uantwerpen.be
.