Its all the rave! Why slap ice packs or frozen peas on your throbbing extremities when you can get in an ice bath, stand in a full body cryotherapy chamber, or have your extremities compressed in full sleeves that pump cold water through.
It is important to always do your research though. There has been many research articles stating that there is insufficient evidence for full body cryotherapy. And, there have been a few dangerous stories out in the news as well. So before dropping hundreds of dollars to get inside a chamber do your homework! And always follow instructions on how to safely use the chambers if you decide to give it a go!
However, icing is an essential part of an athlete’s recovery process. RICE has been a widely used acronym to rest, ice, compress, and elevate the extremity that is sore or in pain due to an injury.
Research has shown that cold water immersion significantly reduces muscle inflammation, soreness and temperature. So your ice baths can work wonders for those used and abused extremities.
Muscular tenderness and stiffness are common symptoms of fatigue and exercise-induced muscle microtrauma and edema. So what is the deal with the NormaTec extremity sleeves? Well, they are compression sleeves that uses PULSED technology. We are always using static compression to help our legs recover, so why used pulsed? The pulsating action acts as a muscle pump which greatly enhances the movement of fluid and metabolites out of the limbs after an intense workout. Pulsating compression has also been shown in research to improve the circulation of blood in that limb. These sleeves feel fantastic!!! It is also ideal to have your legs or arms raised above your heart when using the sleeves.
Many major cities have cryotherapy centers where you can either get into a chamber, extremity sleeve, or even an ice bath. Groupon always has good deals so make sure to check there before paying full price! You can always purchase compression sleeves or use an ace wrap to help reduce swelling, or you can make your own ice bath and wrap yourself up afterwards!
Cryotherapy is a fantastic tool to help recover after an intense workout!
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