Pressotherapy for Muscle Recovery: What the Evidence Shows

How Pressotherapy Supports Muscle Recovery

After intense exercise, microscopic muscle damage leads to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—the stiffness and pain that can last for days. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies revealed that pressotherapy (also known as compression-based lymphatic massage) doesn’t just ease this soreness; it also helps restore measurable performance, from sprint times to muscle strength. These findings highlight a growing role for compression-based recovery in both athletic and clinical settings.

Study Overview

• Title: The Effect of Pressotherapy on Performance and Recovery in the Management of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Authors: Inchingolo et al.

• Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine (2022), Vol. 11, Issue 8, Article 2077

• Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies

• Participants: 207 athletes and recreationally active individuals

• Focus: Effectiveness of pressotherapy in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and supporting recovery of muscle performance

• Link to full text: Journal of Clinical Medicine

Key Findings

Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

• Across multiple studies, participants who received pressotherapy reported significantly lower soreness compared to controls.

• Effect sizes showed consistent benefit at 24 hours (p = 0.02), 48 hours (p = 0.0009), and 72 hours (p = 0.04) post-exercise.

Performance Recovery

• Pressotherapy supported faster recovery of muscle function, including:

  • Vertical jump height

  • Sprint performance

  • Maximal voluntary contraction (strength output)

• Improvements were generally small-to-moderate in magnitude, but consistent across study designs.

Safety Profile

• No adverse effects were reported across the included studies.

• Typical session length was 20–30 minutes, making the intervention practical for both clinical and athletic settings.

Why It Matters

Athletes and active individuals often push their bodies to the point where soreness lingers for days. Traditional methods like massage, rest, or ice baths can help, but they require significant time or resources. Pressotherapy offers a time-efficient, evidence-backed option that not only reduces discomfort but also supports measurable functional recovery.

As recovery science evolves, findings like these are shaping how wellness professionals, sports programs, and rehabilitation settings integrate new tools. Pressotherapy is emerging as one of the methods with both real-world practicality and strong scientific support.

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About BH Labs

At BH Labs, we empower health and wellness professionals with cutting-edge biohacking solutions designed to enhance performance, accelerate recovery, and support healthy longevity.

As a leader in wellness technology, we specialize in seamlessly integrating evidence-based modalities—including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), red light therapy, PEMF, infrared saunas, and compression-based lymphatic therapy—into existing practices. Our turnkey approach enables clinics, spas, and fitness facilities to deliver high-value treatments without added complexity, boosting client outcomes while driving new revenue streams.

From athletic recovery and performance optimization to anti-aging and cellular health, BH Labs provides the tools, training, and ongoing support needed to help forward-thinking professionals stay ahead in a rapidly evolving wellness industry.

Discover how BH Labs can help you future-proof your practice with science-backed innovations at www.bh-labs.com.