Ready to revolutionize your recovery routine? Meet compression therapy, your new best friend in boosting blood flow, reducing swelling, and speeding up muscle recovery.

When you think of compression therapy, most people associate it with increasing blood flow in the lower extremities by using elastic stockings or wraps. This helps prevent blood from pooling and minimize the build-up of fluid, making compression therapy an excellent post-exercise recovery tool. There are several types of compression devices including stockings which are commonly used to combat swelling, bandages/wraps which are easier to put on for folks who have difficulty with stockings, and inflatable devices favored by athletes for their recovery benefits.

Whether you're an athlete aiming for peak performance or simply looking to alleviate everyday discomfort, compression therapy offers a simple yet powerful solution. Discover how this versatile therapy can enhance your circulation, improve venous health, and help you bounce back faster than ever!

Boosting Circulation and Recovery

One of the primary benefits of compression therapy is its ability to enhance blood flow. By gently compressing the limbs or targeted areas, compression devices aid in pushing blood back toward the heart more efficiently. Improved circulation means faster delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles, facilitating quicker recovery after intense workouts or injury.

Athletes, in particular, have embraced compression therapy as a valuable tool in their recovery arsenal. Compression devices help to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, allowing athletes to bounce back quicker and perform at their peak. Compression therapy has proven helpful in accelerating recovery following athletic output; a recent study notes the significant improvement in recovery time following resistance strength training and noted that maximal benefits were discovered for both strength and aerobic exercise when compression therapy was used >24 hours post-exercise.

Enhancing Performance and Recovery

Beyond its therapeutic benefits, compression therapy has garnered attention for its potential to enhance athletic performance. Several studies suggest that wearing compression garments during exercise may improve endurance, reduce muscle oscillation, and enhance proprioception (awareness of body position).

Additionally, compression clothing promotes better circulation and reduces muscle vibration, helping to minimize the risk of injury during physical activity. Compression devices have also been shown to improve recovery when used post-exercise. Studies comparing the use of compression garments to a control group following maximal eccentric exercise found that they prevent loss of motion, reduce perceived soreness and swelling, and promote recovery of force production.

Alleviating Swelling and Edema

Compression therapy is not just a recovery tool for athletes; it is beneficial for anyone looking to manage swelling or edema.

Whether it's due to prolonged sitting, standing, or a medical condition, swelling can be uncomfortable and even painful. In recent decades, affluent populations have become increasingly sedentary, with many adults spending 70% or more of their waking hours sitting. Much of the reason behind this, is the integration of technology into the workplace in both an office and work site environment. Minimizing human movement and muscular activity has led to safer work environments, but has driven this increase in sedentary behavior and the ailments associated like swelling and fluid build-up.

Compression therapy modalities can help combat this by providing graduated pressure, meaning they exert more pressure at the extremities and gradually decrease towards the core. This mechanism helps to reduce swelling by aiding the movement of fluid from the affected area, promoting lymphatic drainage.

Improving Venous Health

For individuals at risk of venous insufficiency or those with varicose veins, compression therapy can offer significant relief by applying consistent pressure to the legs. Venous insufficiency is often seen in individuals who are overweight, pregnant, have a family history of the condition, or have had a previous injury, surgery, or blood clots on the lower extremities. Compression garments assist in improving venous return, which prevents blood from pooling in the lower extremities. This not only reduces the discomfort associated with varicose veins but also lowers the risk of more serious complications. The use of compression therapy in individuals dealing with venous insufficiency can help to manage the pain and swelling associated with the condition, and also prevent a more serious intervention such as surgery.

Compression Therapy at Reset Big Sky

Self-care has become such a priority for all. It is important to explore diverse avenues that contribute to our overall well-being. We brought in compression therapy to Reset Big Sky as it stands out as a versatile and effective method for promoting recovery, managing swelling, and supporting venous health.

At our Meadow Village location, we offer compression therapy in the form of our Medical-Grade Compression Massage Chairs. These chairs offer head-to-toe compression therapy with emphasis on the feet, legs, arms, hips, shoulders, and temples. All of this, while also enjoying an incredible massage, is similar to having two masseuses working on you at the same time. Whether you're an athlete aiming to optimize performance or someone seeking relief from everyday discomfort, our medical-grade massage and compression chairs offer a simple yet effective solution.