[3] A study done found that current literature on the use of cryotherapy on acute ankle sprains has insufficient evidence for the efficacy.
To date, the primary reason for using compression is to increase external pressure on the tissue to prevent edema formation (swelling).
Compression therapy has been used in deep venous thrombosis prevention, wound care, as well as managing edema.
[10] Increased blood flow can slow cell death, limit tissue damage and aid in the removal of cellular debris and waste products.
Under normal circumstances the hunting reaction would be essential to tissue health but only serves to increase pain, inflammation and cell death as excess blood is forced into the area.
More advanced single-use wraps have guidelines to indicate how the bandage should be applied in order to achieve optimum compression required for an acute injury.