A strenuous workout can leave you drained and exhausted. Whether you are a professional athlete, training for a marathon or simply giving your body a total workout, repetitive demanding exercise routines can take a toll on the body, which can create the need for rehab and increase recovery time. A typical workout recovery process can often take a few days to get your body back to 100 percent after your body removes excess fluid and metabolites. Luckily, there is a new athletic recovery and rehab system for athletes to shorten recovery time and get back to training faster. The NormaTec recovery system was developed by a physician bioengineer to help increase blood flow throughout the body’s circulatory system using a unique combination of pulsing, gradient and distal release massage techniques.
What is NormaTec Recovery?
NormaTec recovery is a massage and compression system that helps to enhance blood flow and mobilize fluid from the extremities. The system attaches to your arms, lower legs or thighs and uses compressed air to simulate the rubbing techniques used in massage recovery.
Similar to a massage, the NormaTec recovery system uses a pulsing pattern to massage muscles in a way that mimics muscle movement. The system then massages the limb in sections using dynamic compression (pulsing) massage, rather than static pressure (squeezing), which can be harmful to the body when used for long or extended periods of time. A recovery session starts with a pre-inflation process so that the attachments fit exactly to your body. Then the compression massage begins at your hand, foot or upper quad (thigh muscle) and moves up the limb to help move fluids out of your extremities.
The system’s gradients mimic the body’s veins and lymphatic vessels and hold pressure to prevent fluids from moving in the wrong direction in the body. As soon as the fluids are moved out of the extremities, NormaTec’s distal release will release the hold pressure. According to the official NormaTec recovery website, this allows you to “gain maximal rest time without a significant pause between compression cycles.”
Who uses NormaTec Recovery?
NormaTec recovery can be used by anyone looking to speed up their recovery time, and is available in two systems, the Pulse and Pulse Pro. The Pulse is ideal for individuals and smaller teams, and the Pulse Pro works best for large professional teams and athletic trainers. For most athletes, a full recovery can be achieved in as little as one 20-minute session.
From triathletes to cyclists, runners and strength trainers, NormaTec recovery helps athletes recover quickly and can be particularly helpful in preventing soft-tissue injuries. The system has been used by several NCAA programs, the NFL, NBA, NHL, U.S. Navy SEALs and the U.S. Olympic Committee to help athletes recover faster.
Thinking of trying out a NormaTec recovery session? Mention this blog and try out the NormaTec recovery system at one of our clinics for $10 through the end of April!