Lymphatic drainage and sports: everything you need to know

A few years ago, compression therapy was mainly known for its aesthetic applications. It was a very common method in beauty centers and clinics, where mostly women would go. Not everyone knew about it or could afford it. The “democratization” of a therapy that today, with technological advances, has greatly expanded its range of possibilities had not yet arrived.

The truth is that its main function, lymphatic drainage, is linked to many other physiological processes. That is why it is used both in the aesthetic world and in sports. It is not unusual to see both elite and amateur athletes using a compression therapy machine as a tool to speed up recovery between training sessions.

Lymphatic drainage and sports are closely related. Let’s see why it is so important for the Lymphatic System to function well and why athletes, in particular, should take care of it as much as they take care of their physical fitness and nutrition.

Compression Therapy and its health benefits

Compression therapy is based on an air compression system. The device or machine acts like a motor that pumps air through conductive tubes, sequentially filling the chambers that the different garments have distributed so that they cover the area of the body to be treated well.

With the option of several programs and different levels of intensity and strength, a controlled and sufficiently strong massage is applied to stimulate the vessels and lymph nodes of the Lymphatic System.

This system is located just under the skin, in a not very deep layer of the body, meaning that a massage with moderate pressure is enough to stimulate it. The benefits of compression therapy are very positive for athletes and sportspeople:

• The massage reactivates the Lymphatic System
• Blood circulation is also reactivated
• Metabolic waste (metabolites) is channeled out faster
• Greater oxygenation of tissues
• Speeds up healing of injuries and muscle soreness
• Because of all the above, muscle recovery is faster
• The massage has a relaxing and physiotherapeutic effect

Benefits of compression therapy in sports

Besides these benefits for regular athletes, those starting their routine to lose weight and stay fit also take advantage of Compression Therapy to:

• Reduce swelling caused by fluid retention
• Eliminate fats and toxins
• Reduce the visible effects of cellulite (orange peel skin)
• Break down fat nodules in arms, legs, buttocks, or abdomen. Compression Therapy gradually disintegrates the fat, which is then channeled through the Lymphatic System.
• Improve varicose veins

All these are symptoms and signs of underlying problems that, beyond the unaesthetic appearance, are visible and tangible evidence of a body that is obstructed and saturated.

That is why Compression Therapy is so positive and advisable. Because a single treatment has two functions and effects: better aesthetic appearance and better physical health.

“The Lymphatic System directly participates in the defense and healing of the body. Lymphatic drainage reduces muscle inflammation, essential for athletes, who recover faster and can thus continue with their intense training sessions.”

Lymphatic drainage and sports: the perfect combination

The Lymphatic System is a complex network of vessels that transport lymph, a vital fluid with special properties. It is one of the human body’s superpowers, as it is responsible for cleansing the body and maintaining its defenses in good condition.

This system is somewhat like a “sewer” network through which fats, germs, and toxins are carried to be expelled through the system’s connections with its lymph nodes – filtering centers loaded with white blood cells, the ultimate fighters against any infection – and the body’s various organs.

In this way, the body stays clean and safe from possible and even fatal infections. The Lymphatic System is key and inseparable companion to the Immune System.

And of course, it also works hand in hand with the Circulatory System. Good lymphatic health indicates a healthy body that functions properly. Let’s not forget that the human body is itself a biological machine in which everything is interconnected. If something fails and becomes ill or is not repaired, a domino effect will occur.

The reason athletes use Compression Therapy so much is clear: The Lymphatic System directly participates in the defense and healing of the body. Lymphatic drainage reduces muscle inflammation, essential for athletes, who recover faster and can thus continue with their intense training sessions. Hence the importance of lymphatic drainage and sports.

Athletes, ideal ambassadors of Compression Therapy

It is very common to see athletes using Compression Therapy equipment after a competition or between training sessions, sharing their experience on social media. This shows how widespread the use of these smart systems is in the sports world.

The most commonly used garment by far is undoubtedly the compression therapy boots, although all Compression Therapy garments are useful in sports. Football players, tennis players, swimmers, gymnasts, long-distance runners… the entire wide range of sports disciplines is now implementing Compression Therapy even in their clubs and federations, as a tool as useful and necessary as any sports equipment. Half an hour is usually enough for the athlete to have relaxed their muscles. This way, they are ready for a new training session feeling their body lighter.

Does compression therapy have contraindications?

Whether you want to use it for sports recovery or aesthetic purposes, compression therapy is contraindicated in certain cases. It is important that before using it you rule out:

• Heart diseases
• Circulation problems such as hypertension/hypotension, deep vein thrombosis, arterial insufficiency, thrombophlebitis,
• Thyroid gland problems
• If you have or are currently recovering from cancer
• Skin infections, open wounds, or wounds in the healing process

If in doubt, we recommend consulting a doctor so that your physician can determine if compression therapy is suitable for you. Just as certain conditions prevent the practice of some sports, they may also not tolerate the effects of Compression Therapy well.

SIZEN Sports Compression Therapy: A competent and fitting option

Because we know how important the proper functioning of the Lymphatic System is for an athlete, SIZEN is a competent and fitting option for those who need a compression therapy device that delivers the good results they expect in their training and competitions. SIZEN Sports Compression Therapy helps you recover in record time and keep all the gears of your body in the optimal conditions demanded by the sports lifestyle. Now you know the keys to lymphatic drainage and sports. What more do you want?