Compression therapy helps many people, whether they are athletes, people with circulation issues, or gym attendees looking to speed up their recovery time. There are multiple ways to use compression therapy, from wearing compression socks on planes to having a session with RecoveryPump equipment. At Peak Recovery & Health Center, our goal is to help everyone feel their best, no matter where they are in their personal fitness journey. Compression therapy is one of the tools we have to aid recovery. Professional athletes swear by it, and you probably know someone who has benefited from it.
So we know that compression therapy works, but how does it work? Let’s look at the science behind this treatment.
Keep Your Blood Flowing
After a workout or prolonged strenuous activity, your muscles start to get tired and achy. This is normal, and it happens because lactic acid builds up in your muscles. This soreness goes away after a while because your blood moves through your body, bringing oxygen to your muscles and removing the lactic acid.
Compression Speeds Up the Process
You might wonder, if your body is naturally going to do this process anyway, why do we need compression therapy? The answer to that question is a little complicated, but the short version is that it speeds it up. When compression garments are fitted and positioned properly, it accelerates the blood flow. This helps your muscles recover faster and avoid something called DOMS, delayed onset of muscle soreness.
Two Types of Blood Flow
When it comes to understanding how compression therapy works, it helps to understand how blood flows through your body. There are two types of blood flow: venous blood flow and arterial blood flow. As you probably guessed, one involves your veins, the other your arteries. Blood pressure in the arteries is much higher than in the veins.
Your heart and lungs pump oxygenated arterial blood through your body. If fitted correctly, compression garments should not affect it. Venous blood is a different story. Venous blood is not oxygenated because it is dropping off nutrients and oxygen to your active muscles as it passes through the capillaries. When your muscles contract, they push blood to your heart. Properly fitted compression garments aid in this process.
Recover Faster with Compression Therapy
Whether you want to recover faster from a workout or get some help with a circulatory issue, compression therapy at Peak Recovery & Health Center can help. Our team of professionals will work with you to assess where you are and what you need to meet your goals.
