How to reduce Bruising?

[B-Diddy]

I've been having some trouble the past few weeks with some nasty bruising. I train Muay Thai with the highest intensity possible 5 days a week. I haven't had a cycle yet, though my first will begin this week. I'm 35 yrs old, before you have to start to wonder about it. Anyway the problem is that I have been stepping up the intensity and this week have intense, nasty, painful bruises on the inside and outside of my left thigh from throwing so many brutal knees with my trainers. I think it's coming from getting winded, but still trying my best to throw the knee but coming up short and slamming the top of my thigh into my trainers pads. Anyway my question is what have you guys found that works for taking the pain out of bruises? I'm using massage, boxing liniment, anti inflammatories, and cold and hot packs to try to take the sting out but it's still affecting my 4th and 5th workout each week. Thought someone might have some good ideas...

[RunWithScissors]

Hey B-Diddy, nice to see another Muay Thai practitioner around here...

I've been training for about 9 years, started back in England, then went to train in Chiang Mai, found a great camp in DC when I moved to the US, now I'm looking at the Fairtex camp out here in San Francisco...

Anyway, to answer your question, I've found that simply massaging out the bruise is the absolute best thing, sometimes using vinegar too will speed it up, but it sounds like you're doing everything right...

I'd maybe leave the anti-inflammatories alone though, as I think they can prolong the healing time for your injuries, but that's just me.

Unfortunately they'll only go as quick as they can, and not any faster. And we both know you're in the wrong sport for avoiding them : P

Anyway, Chok dee... I'll have to send you a couple of questions when I'm not on a work computer

Cheers