The NormaTec is a Vasopneumatic/Compression therapy that is an FDA Cleared medical device that combines dynamic air compression with a patented Pulse massage pattern that uses cuffs to decrease blood flow to certain extremities to working muscles that promote hypertrophy and prevent atrophy. The pressure created by these compression devices is high enough to occlude blood flow at 50-80% within the affected muscles.

Vasopneumatic Therapy  for Diabetes

Compression Therapy Is Not Contraindicated in Diabetic Patients with Venous or Mixed Leg Ulcer

Diabetes frequently leads to decreased sensation in the legs caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which is an important risk factor for the development of foot ulceration, the leading cause of hospital admissions and lower-limb amputations among diabetic patients. Medical clinics should consider using NormaTec Vasopneumatic Compression therapy on patients with sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, ankle, knee sprains, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc conditions. Patients with diabetes have used compression therapy to help reduce or improve conditions like swollen limbs, non-healing wounds, and other circulation disorders. 

What is Compression Therapy?

NormaTec compression technology is also called pneumatic medicine. The technology provides dynamic external compression through inflatable boots or sleeves. Therapeutic compression is usually done for about an hour each day, with boots or sleeves that are used on either legs or arms. During the process, the boots or sleeves are rhythmically inflated and deflated.

What’s the point of vasopneumatic/compression therapy?

When performing the exercises with vasopneumatic/compression therapy, the intended goal is to tire out the affected area in order to stimulate the body’s natural healing and tissue-building processes. This process uses 30% of the normal required loads with the same desired benefits. 

This significant reduction in required load is less stress on any joint, thus allowing strengthening to occur where traditional strengthening would not be indicated.  The result is accelerated recovery time, so you can get back to living your normal life as quickly as possible.

Helping to Reduce Serious Diabetes Risks

Slow-healing or non-healing wounds are two of the most serious risks of diabetes. Wounds heal more slowly because the vessels of your feet and legs harden and narrow, particularly with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or related problems. The injuries can occur in the first place due to conditions like neuropathy or loss of feeling in your limbs. Using compression therapy to improve circulation can help the healing process for diabetic wounds.

Every diabetes patient fears one of the most serious diabetic risks of all: amputation. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises diabetes patients to take good care of their feet, especially caring for ulcers and other foot problems that can lead to an amputation. Compression therapy can help to improve nearly every factor that can cause foot ulcers and risk of amputation, from peripheral artery disease (PAD) to neuropathy or tissue swelling.

NormaTec has treated thousands of people with Type 2 diabetes who have used pneumatic medicine/compression therapy and has received hundreds of testimonials from providers documenting benefits that include decreased limb swelling, reduced pain, and improved ability to ambulate better.