Recovering from an injury or surgery can be a lengthy and, at times, frustrating process.
And the age-old recovery technique of RICE, rest, ice, compression, and elevate, is no doubt effective, although, it tends to get rather tiresome after a while.
This is where active compression products, like those manufactured by Game Ready, are really shining.
Want to know more?
In this post, we're going to explain exactly what compression therapy is, show you why therapeutic techniques like active compression and cryotherapy are so effective, and detail why Game Ready products are taking the athletic world by storm.
What is Cold Compression Therapy?
Cold compression therapy, also known as hilotherapy, is a combination of static compression and cryotherapy. This dual-action approach is commonly used to treat pain and inflammation which occurs after an acute injury or surgical procedure.
On one hand, cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is an effective method of lowering the temperature of injured tissue, promoting a reduction in local tissue metabolism, and increases the tissue's chances of survival post-injury.
On the other hand, static compression increases external pressure upon the injury sight in hopes of preventing edema formation (swelling).
Combining these two therapeutic techniques ensures injured tissue reaches its lowest temperature fast, significantly reducing pain and swelling of the affected injury sight.
Benefits of Cold Compression Therapy
There are many benefits of cold compression therapy. Combining very cold temperatures with static compression reduces the pain and swelling that is caused by injuries like pulled muscles, pulled ligaments, sprains, strains, and tears.
Cold compression therapy is also great at calming muscle spasms, minimizing bruising, increasing blood flow, and even calming overstimulated or damaged nerve endings.
In fact, studies have shown that cold compression therapy, like that delivered by Game Ready products, is a more effective approach in reducing post-traumatic edema than your regular old cold pack therapy.
Another study concluded that compression therapy is essential to preventing post-surgery swelling during recovery.
Game Ready: The best Cold Compression Therapy for Athletic Recovery
The Game Ready team has been offering an innovative, multi-faceted approach to tissue healing and tissue repair for over 15 years. Their products help physical therapists, athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons, sport medicine doctors, and athletes alike achieve fast recovery results.
Here is our list of the best Game Ready intermittent pneumatic compression systems that we both know and love.
See them below.
Game Ready Ice Machine GRPro 2.1 Cold & Compression Therapy Unit
Game Ready's clinically proven GRPro 2.1 system combines a powerful control unit with circumferential wraps to deliver cold intermittent pneumatic compression therapy.
The GRPro 2.1 system is the lifeblood of Game Ready’s powerful therapeutic benefits. The unit provides all the benefits of cryotherapy and compression therapy in the form of a super functional and portable option.
The unit combines with circumferential wraps to deliver complete coverage and comfort of injury sights. The unit penetrates deep within the injured tissue and helps to slow down damaging inflammatory reactions that can cause further tissue damage and longer recovery times.
Along with the additional circumferential wraps that are mentioned below, the GRPro 2.1 is compatible with a range of different accessories available from Game Ready. These include:
- The Game Ready Carry Bag
- The Game Ready Dual 5’ Connector Hose
- The Game Ready Rechargeable Battery Pack
The Game Ready Ice Machine GRPro 2.1 Cold & Compression Therapy Unit’s features include:
- Portable and lightweight, only weighing 7.3lbs or 3.3kg
- Three settings of cyclical pneumatic compression options (low: 5-15 Hgmm, medium: 5-50 Hgmm, high: 5-75 Hgmm)
- If needed, the unit can be set to deliver just compression therapy alone
- Cold therapy temperatures range from between 35-50 degrees Fahrenheit
Game Ready Shoulder Wrap
The Game Ready Shoulder Wrap is a great edition to have in your compression therapy arsenal. Each shoulder wrap is designed with powerful dual-action ATX (Active Temperature Exchange) internal chambers that circulate both air and water. These chambers deliver the cold compression therapy that is so effective at healing sporting injuries and post-surgery trauma alike.
Game Ready’s Shoulder Wraps also leverages its patented internal microdot construction. A construction that delivers even fluid flow over the injury sight for efficient, even, and consistent compression and cooling.
The Game Ready’s Shoulder Wraps features include:
- Comes in two sizes, medium and large
- Wraps available for both the right and left shoulders
- Machine washable for easy cleaning
Game Ready Knee Wrap (Straight or Articulated)
The Game Ready Knee Wrap is the perfect solution to treat those unfortunate, yet common, sporting leg injuries. And just like the Shoulder Wrap, Game Ready’s Knee Wrap leverages the powerful dual-action ATX design to deliver a concentrated mix of air and water.
These wraps come in two different forms, straight or articulated. This makes the Knee Wraps perfect for injuries that have, in some form, inhibited the movement of the knee joint. The straight wrap comes as a complete sleeve that secures the leg and knee joint in a straight and stable position. While the articulated wrap has a split at the knee joint to allow for both straight or bent positions.
The Game Ready Wrap is super comfortable to wear and an awesome option for those athletes needing to turn around from a sporting injury in record time.
The Game Ready Knee Wrap’s features include:
- Ideal for common sporting injuries like ACL injuries, patellar tendinitis, and meniscus tears
- Features a universal fit with the ability to be worn on both legs
- The wrap’s outer sleeve is removable and machine washable
Game Ready Ankle Wrap
Game Ready’s Ankle Wrap is the perfect solution for those that have experienced a foot or ankle injury or require post-surgery therapy. The ankle wrap delivers deep cooling that assists in reducing swelling muscle spasms, and residual pain.
Its dual-action ATX system simultaneously administers active pneumatic compression that both stimulates oxygenated blood flow and reduces edema to an injury sight. The ankle wrap is perfect for treating common ankle and foot sporting injuries like plantar fasciitis, sesamoiditis, and tendon tears.
The Game Ready Ankle Wrap’s features include:
- Perfect for foot and ankle injuries like Achilles tendon ruptures and tears, bone spurs, ankle sprains, foot fractures, and many more
- Comes in three different sizes that fit both male and female athletes
- Universal fit that is suitable for both the right and left foot
Final Thoughts
Fitness experts, health professionals, occupational therapists, sports medicine doctors, and sports scientists all agree on one thing, intermittent cold compression therapy is a great way to improve overall injury time and post-op recovery results.
Nobody, especially athletes, wants to be injured. Recovery can be a frustrating process, one that can keep you away from the activities and sports you have both grown to know and love.
If you’ve injured yourself, are recovering from surgery, or are a recovery specialist looking for an effective method of treating your patient’s sporting injuries, Game Ready’s range of cold compression therapy products may just be what you are looking for.
If this sounds like you, why not check out our extensive range of Game Ready products below.