NormaTec Compression Therapy

What is a Normatec?
VenturaCryo's 'Pulse' Compression Technology involves putting on a NormaTec compression suit and allowing it to massage your muscles until they are free from soreness or pain. Although this is new to the public, similar strategies have been used for decades to solve various tasks - the NormaTec suit is a specialty therapy device geared for those with chronic pain, injuries, mobility issues, or most often for serious athletes who just want to ditch the soreness and muscle pain so they can go out there for another hard work out or competition and 'just do it' as the Nike slogan goes.
NormaTec is the leader in rapid recovery—our systems give a competitive edge to the world’s elite athletes, coaches, and trainers. Our goal is to establish recovery as an integral part of every athlete’s training, and we feel NormaTec systems are the best way to accomplish that. The NormaTec PULSE Recovery Systems are dynamic compression devices designed for recovery and rehab. All of our systems use NormaTec's patented PULSE technology to help athletes recover faster between trainings and after performance.
Our systems include a control unit and attachments which go on the legs, arms, or hips. They use compressed air to massage your limbs, mobilize fluid, and speed recovery with our patented NormaTec Pulse Massage Pattern. When you use our systems, you will first experience a pre-inflate cycle, during which the connected attachments are molded to your exact body shape. The session will then begin by compressing your feet, hands, or upper quad (depending on which attachment you are using). Similar to the kneading and stroking done during a massage, each segment of the attachment will first compress in a pulsing manner and then release. This will repeat for each segment of the attachment as the compression pattern works its way up your limb.

Frequently asked questions
HOW DOES THE NORMATEC RECOVERY SYSTEM WORK?
WHAT CONDITIONS WOULD PREVENT ME FROM USING A NORMATEC?
The NormaTec Recovery Systems are FDA cleared devices that are safe for home use. However, people with the following conditions should not participate:
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Acute deep vein thrombosis -
Severe atherosclerosis or other ischemic vascular diseases -
Severe congestive cardiac failure -
Existing pulmonary edema -
Existing pulmonary embolism -
Extreme deformity of the limbs -
Malignancy in the legs -
Untreated limb infections/cellulitis -
Limb fractures -
Presence of Lymphangiosarcoma
WHY ISN'T THERE ICE IN THE NORMATEC RECOVERY SYSTEM?
Ice is a vasoconstrictor; it constricts your vessels and decreases blood flow. While this is beneficial in the acute phase of an injury to reduce immediate inflammation, in the long run, it actually impairs healing and recovery. On the other hand, the NormaTec Recovery System uses NormaTec Pulse Technology to increase circulation and blood flow.
WHAT MAKES NORMATEC RECOVERY SYSTEMS THE BEST?
Compression technology has been around for decades in both static and simple dynamic forms. But the NormaTec Pulse Technology found in NormaTec Recovery Systems takes dynamic compression to a new level. This unique pneumatic waveform, which is exclusive to NormaTec products, is designed to externally compress the limbs in a way that mimics normal physiology, featuring a sophisticated pulsing, gradient, and distal release compression pattern. Initially developed for medical patients with severe circulatory and peripheral vascular disorders, the NormaTec Recovery System is now the most effective recovery tool for athletes who want maximum performance recovery.
WHEN AND FOR HOW LONG SHOULD I USE MY NORMATEC SYSTEM?
The NormaTec Recovery System can be used both before and after exercise, whether it is routine training or high-level competition.
Before exercise, the NormaTec acts as a high-tech massage to warm up your muscles. Pre-workout sessions are generally 10 to 20 minutes long with a moderate intensity level.
WHO IS PULSE COMPRESSION THERAPY BEST SUITED FOR?
IS COMPRESSION THERAPY PAINFUL - DOES IT HURT?
On the lower settings (levels 1-3) the NormaTec Pulse Compression feels like a massage, literally like someone is giving your legs a nice massage. Of course, the NormaTec has 7-levels, and until you are used to it, level seven is not recommended for more than a couple of minutes. Once you get used to using it, you should be able to handle levels four and five without any problem, and at those levels you are really doing your tired and sore muscles a great service. You should feel about the same amount of force as a deep-tissue massage at that point. Our VenturaCryo Technicians will keep you comfortable while the Pulse Therapy is doing its magic returning your body to a pain-free state.
If you are a competitive soccer player, wrestler, body-builder, football player, cyclist, or you name the sport that requires that level of muscle strength from your legs - you should be able to handle level 5-6 without much problem and eventually you will ask for the highest level, SEVEN.
Okay so, the answer to the question above is; NO, it does not hurt, unless you want it to, and in that case you can request a higher level. You WILL notice the difference, and quickly understand why there are so many levels with the NormaTec Pulse Compression Technology. You see, the goal here is to reduce pain, not cause it. We will quickly help you find your pain threshold and back off that level to a comfortable place where YOU will get the most benefits.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS OF COMPRESSION THERAPY?
Compression Therapy stops acute and chronic swelling for those with injuries medical situations or intense relentless workouts day-after-day. VenturaCryo's 'pulse' Compression Therapy reduces soreness almost immediately by giving the muscles the blood flow they need, thus the nutrients to repair the muscles from micro-tears that come with hard workouts.
Most serious and professional athletes will tell you, that; "It's all about shortened recovery times," and heavy-duty workouts without the lasting soreness. Going into an event, competition or another workout already sore from the previous just makes your body feel beat-up, but going into a workout or competition virtually fresh, allows you to "kill it" as they say, perform your personal best, and put numbers on the scoreboard. These are the main benefits, although everyone comes away with some positive testimonial, something personal that makes them a believer in the NormaTec Pulse Compression Therapy Technology. What will that be for you? At VenturaCryo, we can't wait to find out.
WILL NORMATEC IMPROVE MY ATHLETIC PROWESS?
CAN COMPRESSION THERAPY BE USED IN PLACE OF EXERCISE?
Theoretically, the answer is yes, but indeed, this isn't what it is made for. Perhaps you've seen the belly straps that 'compress and retract' on TV infomercials which claim to reduce fat and thus, help you get six-pack abs? Yes, devices like these can help with body-sculpting, but the NormaTec is several generation ahead of that older technology and really nothing takes the place of a good workout, so the NormaTech Compression Therapy is used for muscle soreness recovery for which it is highly suited. Anytime you use your muscles or force our body to work them you are making them stronger, and the NormaTec will help build muscle as you recover, but that's not what it is designed for, rather the technology and theory with NormaTec is to allow an athlete to workout hard and recover faster so you can withstand tomorrow's workout or at least start tomorrow's workout with full agility and free from pain.
CAN I USE COMPRESSION THERAPY IN CONJUNCTION WITH CRYOTHERAPY?
EMPIRICAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND REFERENCES:
1.) "Dynamic Compression Enhances Pressure-to-Pain Threshold in Elite Athlete Recovery: Exploratory Study." Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2015 May; 29(5):1263-72.
https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2015/05000/Dynamic_Compression_Enhances_Pressure_to_Pain.15.aspx
2.) "A single bout of whole‐leg, peristaltic pulse external pneumatic compression upregulates PGC‐1α mRNA and endothelial nitric oxide sythase protein in human skeletal muscle tissue." Experimental Physiology 2015 May 15.
https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/EP085160
3.) "Peristaltic Pulse Compression of Lower Extremity Enhances Flexibility." Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2014 Apr; 28(4):1058-64.
https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2014/04000/Peristaltic_Pulse_Dynamic_Compression_of_the_Lower.25.aspx
4.) "Peripheral Conduit and Resistance Artery Function are Improved Following Peristaltic Pulse Compression." European Journal of Applied Physiology 2015 May 16.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-015-3187-8
5.) "An Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Device Reduces Blood Lactate Concentrations More Effectively Than Passive Recovery after Wingate Testing." Hanson et al., Journal of Athletic Enhancement 2013, 2:3.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5771b8974402436bd3227f8e/t/57744352f5e2313851ca14df/1467237205669/Journal_of_Athletic_Enhancement_Lactate_2013.pdf
6.) "Effect of Lower Limb Compression (NormaTec) on Glycogen Resynthesis." NA Keck - 2012 - scholarworks.umt.edu
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1396/
7.) Vein Magazine article: "Applications of Pneumatic Compression Therapy for Venous Abnormalities," by Tim Demers, MBA, Medical Nurse.
https://www.veindirectory.org/magazine/article/industry-spotlight/applications-of-pneumatic-compression-therapy-for-venous-abnormalities
8.) Dissertation; "Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) on Glucose Regulation and Inflammation in Type II Diabetes," by Nagy, Caitlin Sandra
https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:csu1525784446631762
9.) PT Aligned - article; "No Pain, More Gain? Exploring Active Recovery," March 10, 2016 by Dr. Leon Scott, MD, CAQ, faculty member in the Vanderbilt Department of Orthopaedics. Article cites; 15 additional research papers.
http://news.meyerpt.com/physical-therapists/no-pain-more-gain-exploring-active-recovery/
10.) Master Thesis - Exercise Science - University of Toledo: "The effect of compression recovery pants on cycling performance," by George Henry and James Thorp.
http://utdr.utoledo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2874&context=theses-dissertations