If you’re an athlete, you know that it can be hard to recover and rehabilitate your sore, weak muscles after heavy use, such as playing in a competitive event or between intense training sessions. You need some time to recover so that your muscles can receive nutrients and be rehabilitated. Thanks to a  front-line recovery system, known as NormaTec compression therapy, your muscles can recover. Here’s what you need to know about NormaTec compression therapy, along with its many benefits and what we have to offer.

 WHAT IS NORMATEC COMPRESSION THERAPY?

Maybe you’ve heard of NormaTec compression therapy but don’t understand what it is. Put simply, this is a type of air compression treatment modality and recovery system used for helping athletes rehabilitate and recover after their competitive events or between training sessions. NormaTec was developed in 1998 by Dr. Laura Jacobs, a Los Angeles cardiologist, who was looking for a non-invasive way to treat disorders related to circulation. Today, it’s commonly used as a way to help athletes recover.

HOW NORMATEC COMPRESSION THERAPY WORKS

NormaTec compression therapy is a compression device using compressed air for massaging limbs as well as getting rid of inflammation and mobilizing fluid. Users insert their limbs into inflated sleeves to compress their muscles. Fluids and lactic acid that cause pain are squeezed out of the limbs by the compression system. After this occurs, fresh blood replenishes the limbs, which stimulates recovery.  Besides using rapid recovery for the arms and legs, NormaTec also uses compressed air for massaging the hips.

BASIC BENEFITS OF THE THERAPY

 There are several perks for using NormaTec compression therapy. Besides reducing muscle recovery time, this cutting-edge therapy decreases inflammation, soreness and muscle tension. It increases your flexibility as well as your range of motion. What’s more, the therapy can increase blood flow and circulation.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND WARNINGS

•  Many people have found positive results from using NormaTec compression therapy, such as CrossFit athletes, football players, endurance athletes and others.
• It’s commonly used by both college and professional sports teams.
• Consider that you can reduce the intensity of the therapy or stop a session if you find the pressure becoming uncomfortable.

Whether you need to recover from an injury or ensure that your next athletic performance is your best one ever, NormaTec compression therapy is a treatment that is highly effective and recommended. For more information on this trailblazing therapy and how you can benefit from a first-class spa experience that can help you feel more relaxed, contact us and set up a session.

Surgery takes a toll on your body. You’ll often need weeks or longer to recover. Ice therapy can help. This isn’t as simple as applying a cold pack or bag of frozen peas to the spot, either. Ice therapy offered by Massage Bliss and Cryo is the better option. Use their portable ice machine and experience the best recovery possible.

Industrial Strength Compressive Cold Therapy

Cold therapy has long been proclaimed as a method for quick recovery when it comes to healing. It can decrease your swelling and ease some of the discomfort you’re feeling in the area. An industrial strength option is going to, of course, be stronger than any type of ice pack or method you can apply at home. The industrial strength compressive cold therapy Massage Bliss and Cryo uses involves the Kineticold Ice Machine. Orthopedic surgeons designed it to help patients at home. The portable machine circulates ice water while simultaneously applying pressure. Various cycle lengths and adjustable compression ensure every individual can get the precise care they need.

Rental and Purchase

You have two options for this machine. You can either rent it from the facility, or purchase one to keep for future use. A rental requires a 3-day minimum for use. This is actually ideal because your body will most likely need a few days to get accustomed to the therapy and see adequate results.

Tips to Make Ice Therapy Work for You

Ice therapy won’t work if you aren’t following the proper procedures. Listen to the spa specialist when you’re instructed on how to use it and for how long. Some injuries may require longer sessions while others need a shorter timeframe. You need to follow the instructions carefully so you can make the most of the machine without overdoing it.

Sometimes, you need extra help with your recovery process. Renting an ice therapy machine may work wonders towards getting you healed and back on your feet. Contact Massage Bliss and Cryo today to discuss your need for the Kineticold. Your body will thank you.

While it is well known that a massage therapist can help you to relax when you attend a spa, there is so much more that they can help with! If you aren’t yet ready to start Googling “massage near me” then read on for four things — besides relaxation — that your massage therapist can do for you.

1. Correct Desk Posture

Most individuals sit at a desk to work — and often in a poor posture — which puts pressure on your shoulders and neck while causing a curvature in the spine. This postural stress can also cause pain and weakness lower down the back and into the glutes, especially if you have been sitting for long periods of time.

2. Ease Muscle Soreness After a Workout

A massage therapist can help improve circulation to sore muscle areas, which then helps to remove the lactic acid or other harmful toxins from that muscle. Therefore, your massage therapist can also help to reduce the effects of DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness) and get you ready for your next activity.

3. Improve Your Mental Health

Firstly, a human touch can work wonders for your mind. In this safe, friendly, and professional environment, it can be relaxing and reassuring. Studies have shown that those who receive regular massage therapy reported being less depressed and angry, as well as more relaxed. In a study of depressed and anxious children and adolescents, massage helped them feel happier and less stressed.

4. Relieving headaches

Massage therapy has been shown to decrease the frequency and severity of tension headaches. This may be partially due to the increased blood flow that then goes to your brain and head, releasing any harmful toxins from the affected area. The massages given by our therapists also help to relieve and reduce stress, making you calmer and therefore less likely to continue experiencing that headache.

So, go and book your appointment with a therapist at Massage Bliss & Cryo!

Whether striving to find that perfect carbs-to-vegetable ratio, working with a dietary restriction, or aiming to learn more about holistic, healthy eating habits, finding a nutritionist might just be the best way to heal after a challenging year. Food choices play an important role in shaping not only our bodies and what they can do for us, but our ability to handle and fight powerful stress levels. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, now is the perfect time to build a positive, expert-approved relationship with food that makes stress a thing of the past.

How Are Food and Stress Linked?

The food we put in our bodies has the power to fight, exacerbate, or balance stress. It’s all about choice—A study at UCLA states that the effects of healthy nutritional decisions can lead to a stronger immune system, more stable moods, and lower blood pressure. Foods such as almonds, oranges, kale, and whole grain breads are known to reduce stress levels, but the question is, how do we find a balance that suits our unique needs? While you may be tempted to try to tackle healthy eating all on your own, nutritionists will consider the scientific breakdown of the foods you eat and how they target stress and anxiety reduction. By choosing to work with a nutritionist, you can create a detailed meal plan that considers your allergies, intolerances, physical activity levels, health concerns, daily routines, likes, dislikes, and goals. Partnering up with a nutritionist will also limit the often-overpowering anxiety of deciding what or what not to eat today—the last thing we want to worry about during a global pandemic. Click here to book an appointment with a holistic nutritionist or contact us for more information.

Why Now?

With the threat of COVID-19 hanging over us, food can sometimes become an added stressor to our lives. Where should we get it? What should we buy? Will we have enough? What should we eat to stay strong and resilient to prevent the spread of infection? A nutritionist is able to restore the role of food as a stabilizer, offering options that are catered to your individual needs and goals while providing a solid plan to combat the effects of COVID-19 with high-quality, individualized food choices. Your choices can restore your own balance.

For more information on nutrition or other quality health and wellness services, check out Massage Bliss & Cryo.