I know anti-inflammatories will decrease the swelling. I'm not saying it won't do that. I simply don't think it's needed near as much as people give it.

I can't remember the last time I gave dex, or another type drug, after a show. Again, I think it's simply a reaction to pull it out and give it most of the time. Are there times where it's used? Certainly, but most of the times I've seen it used, I didn't think it warranted. Some swelling isn't necessarily a bad thing. While swelling is unsightly, and at times painful, it also serves another purpose in which to keep a possible infection within a certain area of the body. That's one of the reasons I like to use Rimadyl, or something of the like, afterwards. It doesn't so much effect any type of swelling, but it does wonders for pain and discomfort.