Compressions Therapy and its many benefits
While today there are many products for massage of limbs using dynamic compression, both for home and professional applications, in wellness industry it is most often associated with Normatec.
Normatec dynamic compression technology was introduced American bioengineer and rehabilitation physician Dr. Laura F. Jacobs. She used it to treat patients with circulation related disorders. Since then, the system has grown in popularity as athletic recovery enhancer.
Normatec is FDA cleared and deemed safe for the purpose.
The design of the compression systems mimics human physiology in augmenting circulation. Also, by squeezing the limbs, the massage stimulates waste release from the cells that then gets picked up by the lymphatic system.
The main goal of this massage-like treatment is to increase blood flow in the body. It releases tension in the damaged or sore areas (legs, arms, or hips), and Instead of applying static compression (simple squeezing), equipment like Normatec uses compressed air and a patented pulsing massage pattern to treat arms, legs, or hips. This DYNAMIC COMPRESSION squeezes and releases the treated area, effectively mimicking the muscle pump.
While the compression pattern is fixed, the operator has control over the amount of pressure applied, as well as the length of the treatment. In Normatec, multiple levels are available with pressure ranging from 30 to 110 mmHG.
Normatec in any way, it serves the purpose it was created for – circulation enhancement and recovery.
The benefits
The dynamic compression systems have rapidly gained popularity because of the relief they provide to tired, sore limbs. Most often, people choose to treat legs, and multiple products for home use have emerged.
Today, professional systems like Normatec are used at most sports facilities and wellness centers specializing in treatments for recovery.
Recent independent research suggests that Normatec not only increases circulation and improves relaxation related outcomes, like decreased muscular fatigue following acute exercise and soreness relief, but also has deeper physiological benefits, including reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress, enhanced clearance of metabolites, expanded range of motion, increased pressure to pain threshold, and a more favourable biochemical environment for vascular health, tissue recovery, growth, and healing.
These findings, paired with a rich history of success, strengthen the position of dynamic compression as an incredible asset for those looking for a wellness boost for their active lifestyle, as well as people having wearisome jobs or recovering after long periods of inactivity.
To summarize, dynamic compression benefits include:
Reduction of INFLAMMATION and SWELLING.
Reduction of PAIN SENSITIVITY (muscle tenderness from pressure stimuli).
Increase in RANGE OF MOTION.
Delivery of OXYGEN and NUTRIENTS to poor circulation areas.
More effective removal of WASTE PRODUCTS.
How long should one treatment be
Dynamic compression sessions can last anywhere between 10 to 60 minutes per body part, or longer, with varying intensity levels.
As a complementary application, for example, after whole body cryotherapy, just a 15-min compression massage could be recommended.
As a stand-alone treatment, ideal single session length for recovery purposes is 25-30 min per body part.
Not to overload the circulatory system, ONLY ONE body part should be treated at a time. For this reason, the compression systems are designed to only connect one set of the sleeves – either legs, arms, or hips.
How frequent should the treatments be
Dynamic compression treatment provides temporary stimulation of the blood flow and can be used WITHOUT LIMITATION, whenever there is soreness or tiredness.
A client may have daily treatments for extended periods of time or even opt in for several applications a day, for example, before and after exercise or competition.
Contraindications
Like in whole-body cryotherapy, blood circulation improvement that, in this case, is caused by pulsing compression, may impose risks on people with certain health conditions. Here are the health problems that should NOT be accepted for a dynamic compression treatment to avoid complications:
EXCESS FLUID IN LUNGS (acute pulmonary edema) - a condition that makes it difficult to breathe. In most cases, it is caused by heart problems, but also pneumonia, certain toxins, or drugs. Also, BLOCKAGE in one of the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary embolism).
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE or inability of the heart muscle to pump blood as well as it should. Certain conditions, such as narrowed arteries (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure (hypertension), gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently.
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS, as well as thrombophlebitis, an inflammatory process that causes blood clots to form and block one or more veins in surface-layer areas with poor blood flow.
WOUNDS, lesions, or tumors at or near the site of application.
BONE FRACTURES or dislocations at or near the site of application.
ACUTE INFECTIONS of any kind.
Dynamic compression applications
Dynamic compression can be used for legs, hips, or arms, yet the most common application is a leg treatment:
In SPORTS & FITNESS, the treatments promote:
- Faster recovery from intense physical activity through reduction of inflammation and soreness.
- Rehabilitation from injuries.
In HEALTH & PAIN DOMAIN, dynamic compression can be used for:
- Blood flow enhancement when recovering from injury, surgery, or illness-related mobility restrictions.
- Treating chronic circulation issues caused by medical conditions or weight gain.
In VITALITY & BEAUTY DOMAIN, massage of limbs using dynamic compression can be beneficial:
- In restoring circulation after long periods of inactivity – standing or sitting for extended hours.
- In reducing water retention important for weight loss and lessening appearance of cellulite.
Good complementary treatments
Additional product recommendations
Dynamic compression massage is a good complement to INFRARED SAUNA, WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY, and FAT FREEZING OR CELLULITE TREATMENTS.
For people suffering from poor circulation, the easiest and lowest-cost
addition to treatments would be compression clothing, like socks or sleeves.
Our Normatec comprssion therapy and Cryotherapy service as well as infrared saunas and lymphatic drainage, red light photobiomodulation therapy, Cryofacials, slimming (fat freezing) , toning and double chin services, IV drips are all available to book in our locations – LondonCryo City (located in Liverpool Street) and LondonCryo Belgravia (situated near the suburbs of Chelsea) and St Johns Wood High Street, St Johns Wood.
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