Bruising resulting from sports can be treated with just a few simple steps.

• If left untreated, severe injuries, such as a complete ligament tear which can seriously affect joint movement.
• Eat plenty of foods containing vitamin C and the chemical flavonoid can be used to strengthen the blood vessels.

Football related injuries are a common occurrence, as are injuries related to many sports which involve using our arms or legs for power.

• Minor injuries or regular bruises, which are usually treated with muscle relaxant medication or anti-inflammatory medication that also reduces pain as well as by ceasing playing any sports for a period of time in order to prevent against the bruise worsening.
• Moderate injuries, such as injuries to ligaments or joint cartilage whereby treatment in the form of a cast around the injured area may be necessary.
• Severe injuries, such as a complete ligament tear which can seriously affect joint movement making it difficult for the patient to move and which requires surgery to repair.

1. Apply something cool to the injured area as soon as possible in order to reduce the chances of bruising occurring straight away. A frozen towel or ice pack may be used and should be held onto the injured area for 3–5 minutes before being taken off for 30 seconds and the whole process should be repeated 4–5 times. This will aid the contraction of blood vessels thereby reducing swelling or reducing the risk of blood vessel damage occurring in the injured area.
2. Apply gels or sprays that reduce inflammation and pain. These will cool you down at the same time as reducing any swelling and also help ease the pain in the affected or swollen area before any bruising can occur. The gels or sprays can be applied up to 3–4 times.
3. Then, for the next 1–2 days, carefully observe the injured area to see if there has been a change in its color. If any yellow, green, red, purple or other similar colors are present, you may begin applying heat to encourage the trapped blood to flow away. This can be done by soaking a flannel in hot water and applying it to the area for 10 minutes at a time, 3 times per day. This technique may be used in rotation with bruise reduction creams, such as Gotu Kola gel, cassumunar ginger gel or prescription gels to alleviate bruising. Gels are available from specialist doctors in cases where a speedy recovery is required.
4. Eat plenty of foods containing vitamin C and the chemical flavonoid, such as green vegetables, sour fruit or vitamin supplements, so that those vitamins can be used by the body to strengthen the blood vessels.