NormaTec – What’s the Evidence?

What is NormaTec?

NormaTec is a recovery system that uses pulsed compression to:

• Reduce swelling.
• Improve lymphatic return.
• Increase blood flow.
• Alleviate pain.

Evidence of Effectiveness:

1. Effects of Exercise on Muscles:

   • Training causes inflammation and swelling (Leadbetter et al., 1990), leading to muscle tenderness and movement impairment. Source
   • NormaTec helps clear this swelling effectively, mimicking the natural muscle pump.

2. Pain Reduction:

   • Study by Sands et al. (2015):
     • Olympic athletes using NormaTec reported reduced pain.
     • Benefits extended beyond the session, improving recovery during subsequent training. Source

3. Vascular and Cellular Functioning:

   • Study by Gurovich and Braith (2013):
     • Blood flow in the popliteal artery increased by 402%. Source
   • Studies by Martin et al. (2012, 2014, 2015):
     • Improved blood flow, artery function, capillary density, and reduced inflammation. Source
   • Wesley et al. (2015):
     • NormaTec enhanced anti-inflammatory markers and mRNA patterns. Source

Key Benefits:

1. Improved Recovery:

   • Reduces post-exercise soreness.
   • Enhances blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

2. Pain Alleviation:

   • Helps athletes recover faster between sessions.

3. Vascular and Cellular Health:

   • Boosts capillary density and anti-inflammatory responses.
   • Supports healing at the cellular level.

Popularity:

• Endorsed by elite athletes, including LeBron James, Simone Biles, and teams like the LA Lakers and Boston Red Sox.
• Official recovery tool for Ironman USA.
• Used by celebrities, such as Drake and virat kolhi

References:

1. Leadbetter WB, et al. (1990) - Sports-induced soft-tissue inflammation.
2. Martin JS, et al. (2015) - Effects on blood flow and inflammation.
3. Sands WA, et al. (2015) - Pain threshold improvements in elite athletes.
4. Gurovich and Braith (2013) - Significant blood flow enhancements.
5. Wesley C., et al. (2015) - Cellular-level recovery benefits.