What is Compression Therapy?
Arm, Hip, and Leg Compression Therapy, a form of lymphatic drainage massage, offered at The AFC Athletic Recovery Center.
-What is Compression Therapy?
Compression Therapy is an emerging athletic therapy technique that has been growing rapidly in the past few years. Compression Therapy is a type of lymphatic drainage massage that detoxes and removes metabolic waste & toxins from the body’s lymphatic system to optimize healthy blood flow and maintain a healthy pH level. Compression Therapy is an FDA-approved alternative medicine treatment that is optimal for increasing blood circulation in the ankles, arms, calves, elbows, feet, hips, IT bands, legs (glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps), lower back, and shoulders.
-What medical conditions does Compression Therapy help treat?
Compression Therapy is an effective treatment for pain and swelling caused by conditions associated with poor circulation, such as chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Compression Therapy is also very beneficial for diabetics as it accelerates the healing of leg ulcers and wounds, improves balance and stability, and promotes the prevention of cold feet (a lack of circulation in the feet). This therapy also helps manage inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, bursitis, lymphedema, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure), and tendonitis. Orthostatic Hypotension is when there is poor blood return to your heart from your legs when you stand. Compression Therapy is a very effective treatment option for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT, also called venous thrombosis), which occurs when a thrombus/blood clot develops deep in veins in your body because your veins are injured or the blood flowing through them is too stagnant. The blood clots may partially or completely block blood flow through your vein. Most DVTs happen in your lower leg, thigh or pelvis.
-Which type of Compression Therapy is the best for me?
There are three main types of Compression Therapy. To determine the best type of Compression Therapy, decide what area(s) cause you the most discomfort and pain, in addition to where you want the therapy to be focused. The three types of Compression Therapy are:
Arm Compression Therapy:
Arm Compression Therapy is excellent for reducing inflammation and muscle pain in the upper region of the body, primarily biceps, elbows, shoulders, and triceps. This version of Compression Therapy is very popular among those who have elbow and shoulder injuries and pain and upper mobility issues. Arm Compression Therapy is also excellent for excreting toxins from inflamed areas that result from elbow arthritis, bursitis (as shown in illustration), and tendonitis.
Hip Compression Therapy:
Hip Compression Therapy is optimal for treating hip and low back injuries and pain. Those with hip or low back conditions, such as bursitis or sciatica, tend to favor Hip Compression Therapy as the hip attachment massages the hip and low back areas to increase blood flow and remove harmful toxins and waste from the body yielding less pain from inflammatory conditions.
Leg Compression Therapy:
Leg Compression Therapy is perfect for providing pain relief from ankle & foot pain from common athletic conditions and injuries such as plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains. The leg compression attachment starts from the quadriceps and goes down to the feet providing a complete recovery solution for the lower-extremities of the body. This is also excellent for increasing circulation and reducing inflammation and swelling in the calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps regions of the body.
Looking For More Guidance To Determine The Best Compression Therapy Option For Your Needs?
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