Over the past decade, compression bands have been increasingly utilized in trainer and manual therapy offices. I was first introduced to the compression band by Kelley Starrett, author of Becoming a Supple Leopard, and have since been using it as a teaching tool.
To be honest, preliminary studies looking into the effects of compression bands didn't show much promise. For example, research by Plocker, et al., in 2015 failed to show significant changes in power generation or range of motion. However, more recent initial work by Driller and Overmayer (2017) suggests at least some potential for improving functional range. Other investigators, such as Bohlen, et al., have also seen findings that support the use of compression bands.
While there need to be more studies investigating the full gamut of benefits from compression bands, there are three primary mechanisms of action directing their current utilization: mechanical, neurological and chemical.
Mechanical Basis
Every movement in the human body requires complex coordination from joints moving on articular surfaces to muscle and fascia sliding relative to each other, reciprocally lengthening and shortening. From a mechanical basis, the pressure maintained by the bands on our tissues through functional ranges obliterates adhesions between the muscle and fascia.
In this fashion, smoothing out tensions not only reduces local pain and stiffness, but also increases range of motion. The benefit of increased range of motion gives patients in a rehab setting better mobility for home care and exercises to treat their presenting conditions.
Neurological Basis
The brain responds to pain and creates limitations on joint mechanics to prevent injury. On the one hand, the pressure of the compression band application allows the treated areas to feel more stabilized. On the other hand, nerves in the skin triggered by the wrapped band increase proprioceptive input.
In this way, compression bands are thought to challenge neural pathways and give your brain the assurance it needs to down-regulate these restrictions and allow full motion. In the controlled environment of your office, the patient can be trained by feeling more comfortable and supported with bands.
Chemical Basis
During the application, the pressure of the compression bands, like holding a sponge under a faucet, restricts blood flow to local tissue. The tissue responds to the ischemic stress of the band by producing metabolites aimed at dilating arteries and decreasing vascular resistance.
Following the rapid release of the band, the treated tissues experience elevated blood flow as a result of the vasodilators. This experience (reactive hyperemia) permits a whole slew of chemicals and fresh blood to purge the area of noxious stimulants. It's believed that this exchange of fresh fluid can aid muscle recovery and reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness.
Clinical Utility
It's always a good idea to keep a number of strategies in your treatment toolbox. For me, I've been able to offer banding treatments in a number of ways for a variety of conditions to improve outcomes.
For example, not only have I used compression bands on a patient to globally treat the shoulder following rotator cuff surgery, but also on the shoulders of collegiate lacrosse athletes before functional training. Regardless of mechanism, there are many considerations for giving compression bands a try in your practice.
References
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
