Compression Arm Sleeves Benefits That You Need to Know
Sep 9th, 2020
Wearing compression arm sleeves from Mastectomyshop.com is a great way to care for your body following breast cancer surgery or an intense workout. From professional athletes to patients who have developed cancer, numerous people can benefit from wearing arm and leg compression garments.
There are many reasons to use compression wear, including UV protection, assistance with blood flow, body temperature regulation, and an improved immune system. Learn more about the benefits of compression sleeves for arms, and discover some of the best arm compression sleeves available at Mastectomyshop.com.
What Does a Compression Sleeve Do?
A compression sleeve for your arm is a tubular garment made from elasticized knit fabric. It uses compression technology to apply gradient pressure from the wrist to the elbow or shoulder, helping direct blood flow away from the extremities and back to the heart.
This short stretch garment is popular for increasing blood circulation and delivering high oxygenated blood levels to recovering arm muscles. Football, basketball, and hockey players, and even pro-wrestlers use compression sleeves for workout recovery and the injury prevention these garments provide.
Patients undergoing breast cancer therapy use these garments to improve lymphatic drainage and reduce the risk of infection.
Compression sleeves come in varying compression levels, ranging from mild to medical grade. Compression is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
- Light compression (8-15 mmHg) is suitable for relieving aching joints
- Moderate compression (15-20 mmHg) is ideal for managing muscle soreness and preventing lymphedema
- Firm (20-30 mmHg) and extra firm (30-40 mmHg) are designed to improve lymphatic flow and treat lymphedema
- Medical-grade compression garments (40-60 mmHg) are only available with a prescription and are used to treat severe health conditions like hypertension
Benefits of Compression Arm Sleeves
Compression therapy is regularly used in clinical settings to control swelling and reduce infection. A 2021 study on conservative lymphedema treatment suggests that compression is the primary therapy for the volume reduction and maintenance phases. This is because it is simple, affordable, and easy for patients to adhere to treatment protocols.
Compression therapy is also beneficial for athletic recovery and performance by supporting sore muscles and enhancing blood flow. Some of the other benefits you can expect from compression arm sleeves include:
Compression Sleeves Provide a Protective Barrier
A compression arm sleeve, like the Juzo Signature Compression Sleeve, provides a physical barrier to protect your skin. Use a compression arm sleeve when you play any contact sport outdoors to protect your skin from scrapes and cuts when you collide against another player.
Compression sleeves also offer sun protection without overheating your body, like leggings or long-sleeve compression shirts. While sunblock and sunscreen can sweat off over time, the sun’s damaging UV rays can’t penetrate the opaque fabric of a compression arm sleeve.
Compression Sleeves Improve Blood Circulation
When you suffer from a sports-related injury, your immune system triggers blood cells to clot around the injured area while healthy white blood cells start the healing process. This reaction causes swelling and inflammation in the injured area.
A compression arm sleeve helps improve blood circulation to reduce excess swelling and lymph fluid build-up in muscles, ligaments, and tendons, protecting your body from future injury. Without compression, injury recovery time increases, and regaining a full range of motion may not be possible.
A compression sleeve or gauntlet, such as the Juzo Signature Compression Gauntlet, also stabilizes the arm to ensure better mobility after the injury is healed.
After a mastectomy, a compression sleeve enhances blood flow to the surgical site to aid healing. It also boosts lymphatic drainage to prevent infection and reduce the risk of lymphedema.
Compression Sleeves Regulate Body Temperature
After breast cancer surgery and subsequent treatments, many patients experience fluctuations in temperature, causing discomfort. By regulating blood flow and providing a warming layer of protection, a compression sleeve can minimize the impact of post-surgical temperature changes.
Compression Sleeves Ease Muscle Soreness
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common post-workout issue that many athletes experience. DOMS can adversely impact performance in the days following an intense workout or event and increase the risk of injury.
Compression sleeves and other garments can help reduce the intensity and duration of DOMS by reducing inflammation and improving venous return and circulation. A 2017 study found that athletes wearing compression garments during resistance exercises experienced faster strength recovery for over 24 hours following their workout.
Compression Sleeves Provide Support During Exercise
Many doctors recommend regular exercise following breast cancer surgery to enhance recovery and improve upper body mobility. Compression sleeves can help support your body and stabilize your wrists and shoulders during exercise to prevent the risk of overuse injury.
Find the Best Arm Compression Sleeves at Mastectomyshop.com
There are many ways that arm sleeves can support you on your road to health. Using a compression arm sleeve is an excellent way to keep the blood and lymphatic system circulating and is vital to preventing and recovering from injuries and surgery. These sleeves are also comfortable to wear throughout the day and won’t interfere with your daily routine.
Mastectomyshop.com stocks compression sleeves in a range of pressure levels and styles to meet your needs. Contact us at (877) 541-3542 or browse our website to find the right compression sleeve for you.