Do quark wraps still work for inflammation?

Your mom is completely right - quark wraps actually still work and are still worthwhile, even though they've gone out of fashion. The reason is pretty straightforward: quark cools, the moisture helps with swelling, and the ingredients actually do have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. It's not esoteric - it's physically sound. I use it myself for my swelling, and it works just as well as it always did.

The problem is more that nowadays everyone just reaches for ibuprofen cream or an ice pack - it's faster, less hassle. Quark wraps take time and preparation, and that doesn't fit into modern life. But if you have the time, they really make sense: quark straight from the fridge on a cloth, onto the affected area, maybe wrap a towel around it for insulation, let it work for 15-20 minutes. Best to take it straight from the fridge, don't cool it extra. Some people also swear by putting a thin gauze in between to minimize the mess - I totally get that.

You can definitely combine quark wraps with other measures like elevating it or gentle movement, depending on what the injury calls for. For acute inflammation and swelling, I'd definitely try it before reaching for stronger stuff. It costs basically nothing, doesn't hurt, and your mom was just ahead of the curve on that one.