the cissus should help- of course, everyone has different body chemistry, but the terpenoids in cissus have been shown to initiate to decrease myeloperoxidase, an enzyme that usually occurs in damaged tissue post-trauma. less myeloperoxidase= less tissue reaction, less prostaglandin release. less prostaglandin release= less local swelling and pain, as prostaglandins sensitize the nerve endings of pain fibers- therefore, the cissus should help control the pain in the area (probably a limited amount, it only does this indirectly and does not act directly on substance P like opiates and opiate-mimickers) and help heal the damaged tissue faster (faster than if no cissus was taken)