In the event of an injury, blood from broken blood vessels leaks into the surrounding tissues. The body’s first priority is to stop the localized bleeding through the process of clotting, and this is much easier to do when blood circulation is slowed down through the area. One way to slow the flow is by applying compression from the outside.

Compression of an area puts pressure on blood vessels, making it more difficult for blood to flow through. The body will automatically adjust to this restriction in blood flow by shunting blood to unrestricted areas, prompting those vessels to expand to accommodate the increased flow. In this way, the elastic bandage helps the body to stop the bleeding in the damaged area faster, and also helps limit the total amount of blood that leaks out of the damaged vessels. The body has to dispose of this blood outside of the circulatory system through the lymph system, which takes a significant amount of time. Therefore, the less of it there is to dispose of, the better. As healing progresses, continued compression through wearing an elastic bandage helps the lymph system to work against gravity and more efficiently move the fluid up to where it can be filtered out through the kidneys, 

Finally, an elastic bandage provides a significant amount of support to a damaged body part, helping avoid further injury and providing a much needed mental boost to the individual. A more positive mental state goes a long way to help with healing.

Elastic bandages come in several different widths and lengths. There is one to fit any body part and any size individual. I recommend keeping a few different sizes around, in order to be ready for whatever happens.