A few years ago, pressotherapy was mainly known for its cosmetic uses. It was a very common method in beauty centers and clinics, where mostly women went. 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 world of beauty and in sports. It is not unusual to see both elite and amateur athletes using a pressotherapy 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 work well and why athletes, in particular, should take care of it as much as they take care of their physical fitness and nutrition.
Pressotherapy and its health benefits
Pressotherapy is based on an air compression system. The device or machine acts like a motor that pumps air through tubes, sequentially filling the chambers that the different garments have distributed so that they cover well the area of the body to be treated.
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 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 pressotherapy are very positive for sportspeople and athletes:
- The massage reactivates the Lymphatic System
- Blood circulation is also reactivated
- Metabolic waste (metabolites) is cleared more quickly
- Greater oxygenation of tissues
- Healing of injuries and muscle soreness is accelerated
- Because of all the above, muscle recovery is faster
- The massage has a relaxing and physiotherapeutic effect
Benefits of pressotherapy in sports
Besides these benefits for regular athletes, those who start their routine to lose weight and stay fit also take advantage of pressotherapy 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. Pressotherapy gradually breaks down fat, which is then channeled through the Lymphatic System.
- Improve varicose veins
All these are symptoms and signs of underlying problems that, beyond the cosmetic aspect, are the visible and tangible evidence of a body that is clogged and overloaded.
That is why pressotherapy is so positive and advisable. Because a single treatment has two functions and effects: better cosmetic appearance and better physical health.
“The Lymphatic System directly participates in the body’s defense and healing. Lymphatic drainage reduces muscle inflammation, essential for the athlete, who recovers faster and can thus continue with their intense training sessions.”
Lymphatic drainage and sports: a 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 keeping 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 nodes – filtering centers full of white blood cells, the foremost 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 of 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 us 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 pressotherapy so much is clear: The Lymphatic System directly participates in the body’s defense and healing. Lymphatic drainage reduces muscle inflammation, essential for the athlete, who recovers faster and can thus continue with their intense training sessions. Hence the importance of lymphatic drainage and sports.
Athletes, ideal ambassadors of pressotherapy
It is very common to see athletes using pressotherapy 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 world of sports.
The most used garment by far is undoubtedly the pressotherapy boots, although all pressotherapy garments are useful in sports. Footballers, tennis players, swimmers, gymnasts, long-distance runners… the wide range of sports disciplines today is implementing pressotherapy 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 pressotherapy have contraindications?
Whether you want to use it for sports recovery or cosmetic purposes, pressotherapy is contraindicated in certain cases. It is important that before using it you rule out:
- Heart diseases
- Circulation problems such as high/low blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis, arterial insufficiency, thrombophlebitis,
- Thyroid gland problems
- If you have or are in the process of recovering from cancer
- Skin infections, open wounds, or wounds in the healing process
When in doubt, we recommend consulting a doctor so that your physician can determine if pressotherapy is suitable for you. Just as certain conditions do not allow the practice of some sports, they may also not tolerate the effects of pressotherapy well.
SIZEN sports pressotherapy: 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 pressotherapy device that delivers the good results they expect in their training and competitions. SIZEN Sports Pressotherapy helps you recover in record time and keep all the workings of your body in the optimal conditions demanded by the sporting lifestyle. Now you know the keys to lymphatic drainage and sports. What more do you want?
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