NormaTec was invented by a physician and bioengineer (MD, PhD) and it uses compressed air to massage and treat your limbs and improve blood flow. Whether you’re on your feet all day at work, intensively exercising, have swelling in your legs and ankles (edema), or you have been sitting at a desk all day – your legs will thank you for using the NormaTec Recovery System.
So, What is Compression Therapy?
Compression as recovery is nothing new. Compression itself has been used for athletic recovery, wound healing from recent surgery, edema, and other ailments.
“The main function of the compression sleeves are to engage a lymphatic flush,” says Chris Contini, a recovery specialist at Denver Sports Recovery in Colorado. “[It helps] facilitate the removal of waste products, inflammation, swelling and promotes a healthy blood flow back into the environment.”
Compression therapy has been found to be very helpful in ensuring dynamic recovery, which in turn provides a competitive edge to all athletes that are training at all levels. It helps to improve blood circulation, flexibility and reduce the tissue repair time. In addition to athletes, compression therapy would be of great help to individuals whose mobility and activity have been limited either because of chronic disease or injuries.
A lesser known benefit of NormaTec? It is used to treat a number of conditions ranging from tired, aching legs, to varicose veins, and wound care.
How Does Pneumatic Compression Therapy Work?
According to NormaTec, the pulse technology involves the use of compression that is designed for recovery and/or rehabilitation. One or two inflatable boots with multiple cells or sleeves are placed around your legs or arms and they are rhythmically inflated as well as deflated in order to rapidly improve poor circulation. NormaTec does this through their three stage patented technology:
PULSING VS STATIC MASSAGE
In the NormaTec system, pulsing replaces static compression (squeezing) and instead utilizes dynamic compression (pulsing) to transport fluid out of the limbs. This effectively mimics what our body should be doing naturally.
GRADIENTS
Ensures ideal rest times without long delays between pulse cycles, so you benefit from optimal pressure in every zone of the treated area. Veins and lymphatic vessels have one-way valves that prevent fluid backflow. Similarly, NormaTec Pulse Technology uses hold pressures to keep fluids from being forced in the wrong direction.
DISTAL RELEASE
Because extended static pressure can be detrimental to the body’s normal circulatory flow, Sequential Pulse Technology releases the hold pressures once they are no longer needed to prevent backflow. By releasing the hold pressure in each zone as soon as possible, each portion of the limb gains maximal rest time without a significant pause between compression cycles.