Compare RecoveryPump to Conventional Recovery
R.I.C.E Technique
The R.I.C.E technique has been the gold standard treatment of sports injuries and recovery for decades. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Adhering to this method is difficult to do daily for training and in fact not recommended. Why? Ice is initially a vasodilator but as the blood cools (this takes about 10 minutes), it has the reverse effect and becomes a vasoconstrictor, eventually decreasing blood-flow to the area. This is entirely counter intuitive to our goal with daily muscle recovery, which is to dilate the vascular system, increase circulation and reabsorb waste quickly. Ice baths take time and are not truly effective for recovery. Ice can however be effective at reducing pain due to injury, but should only be used if within 6 hours of the injury occurrence. RecoveryPump is designed for daily use and increases circulation to promote healing and reduce muscle fatigue and swelling.
Contrasting Temperature Therapy
With hot/cold therapy it is hard to get enough contrast to affect deep tissue in the legs. Contrasting Temperature Therapy primarily reaches superficial veins and arteries- it is essential to affect the deep vessels to clear muscles of metabolic waste, so it is rather ineffective as a daily regimen for muscle recovery. RecoveryPump uses high levels of compression to access the deep vein in the leg, moving significantly more blood, much more efficiently compared to hot/cold contrast therapy.
Light, Low Impact Exercise
Also known as active recovery, light and low impact exercise is the hard way to achieve active compression (through muscular movement) because it requires more training time and incredible dedication. Because this type of recovery involves exercise, it is relatively poor at respiratory recovery and processing large quantities of CO2 as well as restoring Glucose, amino acid levels and replenishing other essential elements in the muscle. RecoveryPump simulates active recovery but in a passive format, while you are at rest, allowing for true and complete recovery.
Immobilization
When the body is immobilized there is a very low blood flow rate. Immobilization promotes stiffness and is slow to recover the muscle. RecoveryPump dilates the vascular system at all levels, helping to increase circulation, reduce swelling and stiffness, all while you rest and relax.
Sleep & Rest
The body's natural recovery tools are essential but slow. Use the RecoveryPump System even during sleep and rest.
Hydrotherapy
Effective, but it's best to stand/walk in a pool for an hour or so. (High pressure – 140 mmHg of pressure at 2m). Again this therapy is effective but requires daily access to a pool and is not convenient for the vast majority of athletes. RecoveryPump is portable so you can travel with it, use it before and after competition, in the comfort of your own home.
Passive Compression – Garments
Low effectiveness without light exercise/activity to increase venous return. Compression garments to not apply enough compression to affect deep vessels without physical activity. However, compression garments are an absolute MUST for travel and essential if you must stand or sit for long periods of time at work or play. Great as an adjunct to the Active Compression achieved with the RecoveryPump system.
Massage
Feels Great – don’t give it up. Massage is expensive however and it's hard to get a massage therapist to be available 1-2 times per day, every day, unlike the RecoveryPump system which is available when and where you need it. Additionally it is hard for a therapist to apply enough pressure to affect deep veins as hands tire quickly with the amount of pressure needed to do so.
