If you’re looking for a great way to help your muscles recover after a gruelling workout, a tough game or for physical therapy, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s chat about all things Normatec, what it is and how it can benefit you and your workouts and why it’s so important to be using compression therapy as part of your fitness routine.
Let’s start with compression therapy. What is it? It’s a type of treatment that uses controlled pressure to increase blood flow to targeted areas of the body. It can improve blood flow to your heart, help with lactic acid and lymphatic flushing as well as reducing inflammation. So, what is Normatec you may ask? Normatec compression boots and attachments were originally created as a medical device, developed by a physician bioengineer to treat patients non-invasively with the goal of improving blood flow and speeding up their recovery progress. Compression therapy has been used for years to treat patients and the Normatec Recovery System has been developed using the latest in medical technology.
Why use it? Who is it best suited for?
Normatec is not just another training aid. It is a unique recovery system that can be used by everyone, regardless of their field or sport. From professional to amateur, you’ll see Normatec Compression therapy being used by MMA fighters, basketball players, runners, cyclists, extreme sports enthusiasts and more!
Compression therapy has been clinically proven by various research studies with very few contradictions meaning it has been beneficial for majority of people. While you may be thinking Normatec is for athletes only, you’d be surprised to learn that anyone can enjoy a Normatec session. For example, those who are pregnant who wish to reduce the fluid build-up in their legs may want to book in a session. Gym fanatics who have been training hard and want to reduce soreness, people who are on their feet all day or working manual labour roles may benefit from a Normatec session as well as those who have desk jobs with poor circulation and looking to refresh their body after a long day of work.
How does it work?
The best thing about the Normatec compression system is that it’s non-invasive, feels like a massage and it gentle enough that it can be used every day! You can tailor the session to suit your level of comfort or pressure required – It uses three different massage techniques to get you on the road to recovery. It starts off feeling similar to a blood pressure band being inflated as it works its way providing a deep pressure massage around your leg or other body parts depending on which attachment you are using. No part of your limb will be skipped thanks to the overlap design ensuring the full limb experiences the massage benefits and it is designed never to squeeze too hard giving you peace of mind throughout your session.
The Normatec system is made of durable nylon and is available a variety of attachments for your legs which treats your full leg including feet, hips and glute pack which treats the upper quads, upper hamstrings, hip flexor, glutes and lower back and arm attachments which treat your arms, shoulders, pecs, and traps.
What to expect at your first session
Here at Gentle Recovery, our Normatec sessions take place in one of our extremely comfy reclining chairs allowing you to adjust your sitting position to one that is comfortable for you. You’ll also be in one of our quiet and comfortable rooms so you can take your time and relax without the stress of having other people around you or a noisy setting. We recommend wearing something that will allow the Normatec attachment to fit comfortably over your limb such as compression tights, shorts, t-shirt, or tank top.
Once you arrive, Bran or Jen will take you through how each attachment works and show you where everything is. You’ll be zipped or clipped into your attachment of choice and the pre-inflate cycle will commence. During this cycle, each zone of the attachment will inflate to mould to your body. While you are in your session, it’s important to think about relaxing your mind as well as your body. You might like to bring in a book or headphones to listen to some music or a podcast to switch off and really relax in your session. If this is your first session, we can talk you through the Normatec treatment as well as our other services to ensure you get the most out of your visit with us or if you prefer, we can leave you to do your thing and take your own time.
We want to help you get back to 100% as fast as possible, and there is no better way to do that than with compression therapy. Normatec is here to support you and help you be at the top of your game, no matter what that game might be. So, what are you waiting for? Book in a session today and start helping yourself recover faster!