Bruising

Like any bruise, bruises from rope can take several days to heal.

Prevention

Move in a controlled way. Help your partner move in a controlled way. When a person is bound, they are not able to catch themselves if they trip, faint, or fall in some other way. If they need to move around the space while tied, help them to move safely.

Treatment

You can reduce the effects of a bruise if you take a few actions quickly: Elevate the affected area and rest it. Ice the affected area for 20 minutes and repeat a few times for the first day or two. If there is swelling, add a compression bandage and consider ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory pain medication, if necessary.

For more significant bruising, see the RICE treatment below.

If the bruise is accompanied by intense pain or significant swelling, seek medical attention; there may be something else going on. If the bruise has not faded and is still sensitive after two weeks or you notice other issues in the days after the injury, consult a medical professional.

RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

Rest — Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Stop, change or take a break from the activity that caused the pain. But don’t avoid all physical activity. Protect the area that is in pain. Give the body time to recover.

Ice — Cold reduces pain by reducing swelling and numbing the area slightly. Ice immediately. Cover an ice pack with a light towel and apply to the area for 15-20 minutes. Repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake for the first 24-48 hours after the injury.

Compression — To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. You want it snug, but not too tight or you may impact circulation. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb, turns blue or cool, or if swelling occurs below the wrapped area.

Elevation — Raise the injured area above the level of your heart when you can, especially at night. For example, if you have pain in your knee or ankle, prop your leg up on a pillow while you sleep. This helps reduce swelling. You may find it helpful to use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen or naproxen) along with the RICE treatment.