How to Use Cryotherapy & NormaTec Dynamic Compression
External dynamic compression therapy has been used since the 1960s to enhance the body’s natural circulatory and lymphatic systems. More recently, a rehab physician and bioengineer recognized the value of external compression for health, fitness, and cosmetic objectives. Dr. Laura Jacobs developed NormaTec Dynamic Compression initially to treat chronic wounds, lymphedema, and other circulatory diseases. What she found is that while NormaTec dynamic compression sleeves are excellent for improving these medical conditions, they are also excellent for enhancing athletic recovery and performance, as well as cosmetic appearance and health. Currently, NormaTec compression systems are used to:
- accelerate athletic muscle recovery;
- reduce swelling and inflammation (post-operatively too);
- prevent and minimize varicose and spider veins;
- reduce cellulite and tighten loose, sagging skin.
The Normatec dynamic compression system is like a massage, including traditional and lymphatic drainage. The NormaTec system utilizes sequential pulsing of compressed air to massage, mobilize fluid, and evacuate lactic acid, inflammation, fat, and other byproducts. The system uses three techniques to facilitate this process: pulsing, gradients, and distal release.
Sequential pulsing essentially mimics the muscle pump of the legs and arms, moving inflammation, fluid, fat, and metabolites out, which is key in healing after an intense workout, surgery, disease, infrared sauna, or cryotherapy. The sequential pulsing is divided into 6 zones to create a pressure gradient; the system uses a “hold pressure” technique that keeps fluids from being forced back in the wrong direction. The sequential pulse technology releases the hold pressure, allowing the limb to gain maximal rest time between compression cycles.
The ChillRx NormaTec system offers attachments for the legs, hips, arms, and shoulders and has minimal associated risks; these are equivalent to those of a standard massage. The intensity and duration of treatment are determined by the client’s needs or preferences. Sessions generally run for 30 to 60 minutes.
ChillRx recommends NormaTec utilization post-cryotherapy or infrared sauna to maximize the benefits of these treatments. NormaTec can be used prior to physical exertion to enhance performance—compression warms muscles and improves flexibility, helping to prevent injury. Using NormaTec after physical exertion helps shorten recovery time, allowing for more intense training and less pain.
ChillRx offers NormaTec as a stand-alone treatment or combined with cryotherapy and/or infrared sauna. We recommend NormaTec post-cryotherapy and post-infrared sauna to enhance the benefits of these treatments.
Here’s how it works: Cryotherapy is extremely effective for mobilizing inflammation in the body. The physical action of cold causes vasoconstriction, which physically pumps inflammation out of blood vessels, muscles, and tissue. Cryotherapy also stimulates an anti-inflammatory biochemical response, which reduces inflammation at the cellular level throughout the body. Both of these effects mobilize inflammation from cells throughout the body; NormaTec compression will facilitate the evacuation of this inflammation through the lymphatic and circulatory systems. It is an incredibly powerful combination and will significantly enhance the effects of cryotherapy treatment.
Similarly, ChillRx recommends NormaTec dynamic compression following infrared sauna treatment. Infrared sauna uses infrared light and heat to detoxify heavy metals, fat, and inflammation from tissues, muscles, organs, and cells. A compression post-infrared sauna will facilitate the evacuation of these unwanted substances from the body through the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
Who should use NormaTec Dynamic Compression?
- Amateur Athletes. High-level athletes ALL use NormaTec pre- and post-workout and pre- and post-event to enhance performance and accelerate recovery. All NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA teams use NormaTec compression technology for their athletes. The US Olympic team and many high-level athletes utilize NormaTec compression systems.
- Individuals looking to mobilize and detoxify fat, cellulite, and inflammation from their bodies.
- Individuals looking to minimize and prevent varicose and spider veins.
- Post-operative patients looking to accelerate recovery.
- Individuals looking to minimize risk for deep vein thrombosis.
- Individuals with
- lymphedema;
- poor circulation and/or diabetes;
- venous insufficiency;
- edema of any kind;
- post-operative swelling and inflammation;
- risk for deep vein thrombosis and embolism;
- with contusions and other injuries, looking to accelerate recovery;
- with chronic, non-healing wounds and/or cellulitis.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is swelling that may occur in arms or legs, usually after lymph node removal or damage during cancer treatment. It can lead to skin infections and interfere with activities of daily living, but can be treated effectively with cryotherapy and NormaTec dynamic compression.
What are Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds?
Poor circulation in the legs, often due to diabetes, can cause non-healing wounds and cellulitis. Cryotherapy combined with NormaTec can effectively treat chronic wounds and reduce wound recurrence.
What is Venous Insufficiency
Venous Insufficiency, where blood flow through the veins is impaired, can lead to swelling, pain, varicose veins, and even ulcers. Cryotherapy, infrared sauna, and NormaTec help restore circulation and treat venous insufficiency.
What is Prevention of DVT?
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein in the body. Research has shown that DVT can be prevented with regular use of the NormaTec dynamic compression system.
Other Vascular Disorders
NormaTec dynamic compression therapy improves circulation and can help treat many other vascular disorders.
ChillRx can recommend a treatment program for medical conditions, cosmetic objectives, and athletic enhancement utilizing cryotherapy and NormaTec dynamic compression. Please call us with your questions!