Described herein are dressings comprising a composite island comprising a polyurethane or foam layer coupled to an absorbent layer comprising non-woven gelling fibers. Also described herein are dressings comprising an absorbent layer comprising carboxymethyl cellulose fibers and a backing layer coupled to the absorbent layer. In the respective dressings, the absorbent layer is not elastically deformable under tissue treatment conditions, whereas the polyurethane or foam layer and the backing layer are substantially elastically deformable under tissue treatment conditions. The coupling of the absorbent layer to the polyurethane/foam layer or backing layer renders the coupled structure or the entire dressing substantially elastically deformable under tissue treatment conditions. Methods of eliminating, minimizing, or reducing edema are also described herein.