Recently many athletes have started wearing compression garments during training and competition to give themselves the extra edge over their competition. But how do they help?

According to a recent report from the University of Technology, Sydney, there are a number of benefits that have come out from scientific studies on the effects of compression garments.

• enhancing blood circulation to peripheral limbs
• reducing blood lactate concentration during maximal exercise bouts
• enhancing warm-up via increases in skin temperature
• increasing vertical jump height
• improving repetitive jump power
• reducing muscle oscillation upon ground contact
• increasing torque generated about joints, improving performance and reducing the risk of injury, for example, assisting the eccentric action of the hamstring at the end of the swing phase in running
• enhancing recovery following strenuous exercise by aiding in the removal of blood lactate and improving subsequent exercise performance
• reducing the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness in the days following strenuous exercise
• increasing feelings of positive leg sensations both during and following strenuous exercise.

Source: Australian Sports Commission - Sports Coach

Optomo supply a number of compression garments for all parts of your body, view the entire range below:

• SKINS Compression Garments
• Under Armour Coreshorts
• Powertite Compression Clothing

Posted in: Products, Tips

Medical effects of braces: (Source: The Brace Guide By MediRoyal)

Heat - Braces are usually made from a material such as neoprene which insulates the body heat over the area the brace is covering which increases the blood flow and also leads to increase response time by the muscles and anti-inflammatory effects.

Support & Compression - After an injury a brace provides compression over the body part helping to reduce swelling. It also provides receptive support to the area and increases muscular response.

Protection - A brace can provide physical protection to inflamed and sensitive muscles and tendons allowing the user to remain active and participate in contact activities.

Joint Position Sense (Proprioception) - A brace will stimilate receptors in the skin that leads to a better joint position sense when ligaments and tendons are damaged.

Prevention - An injured body part can benefit from the positive effects of bracing to prevent an injury from reoccuring. The increased joint position sense provides a higher awereness and stimulation of the body part. Also the heating effect of the brace will make muscles and tendons more elastic to help prevent further injuries.

The Expectation Effect (Placebo) - A brace can help you feel better and protected so will enable you to perform activities that you could not do without it.

Optomo supplies braces and supports for all parts of the body, choose one of the parts below to view the products available.

- Ankle
- Knee
- Leg
- Back
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Wrist
- Hand / Fingers

When ordering a brace make sure you follow the instructions and where to measure the body to get the correct size. If you are on the borderline of sizes select the smaller size to ensure a good fit.

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Exercising with AquaJogger products can provide these benefits:

• Lose weight effectively
• Train for sports
• Slow aging effects
• Maintain fitness level
• Improve balance and agility
• Stay fit during pregnancy
• Ease arthritis pain
• Recover from surgery
• Prevent sports injury
• Treat back or joint pain
• Alleviate fibromyalgia & MS
• Heart healthy activity

Choose from the following AquaJogger Water Fitness products:

• Buoyancy Belts
• Resistancy Gear
• Resistance Barbells
• Aqua Fitness Systems

Posted in: Products

Foam rollers are possibly the most fundamental piece of equipment for indoor fitness programs.  Typically made out of compressed foam, good quality rollers are designed to restore their original shape, even after heavy use.

Although they vary in length, circumference, colour and design, the foam roller is designed to pretty much fulfill the needs of both the professional athlete and home-user.

Because of their versatility, foam rollers are used in many different ways and for many different purposes, including for massaging, improving balance, injury rehabilitation, body awareness and flexibility.

One of the main reasons the foam roller is so popular with exercisers is the fact that it can be used in nearly any position.  For instance, a person can use the roller standing, sitting, lying on their back, lying on their side, kneeling and pretty much any other position they find comfortable, or useful.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that rollers are quite economical, light and easily transported, either.

Rollers have been used in therapeutic circles since the 1950’s, when Dr Moshe Feldenkrais began using wooden rollers for rehabilitation purposes (to promote movement in joints).  Dr Feldenkrais later switched to foam rollers and from then on the foam roller has been a key tool in the locker of physiotherapists, health care professionals and personal trainers.

It can sometimes be important for rehabilitation purposes to have a selection of sizes available and Optomo sells four variations of the foam roller:

• Long Round
• Long Half Round
• Small Round
• Small Half Round

As you can imagine, placing a “half round” foam roller on the floor with the flat surface down yields a large amount of surface area, in turn providing the user with a more stable tool if they were to stand on it.  In contrast, standing on the full foam roller would be more difficult because only a small fraction of the roller is touching the floor, meaning balancing on it would be more suitable for a patient in advanced rehab, or a competent exerciser.

Each variation of the roller has its own special use and therefore professionals and health care professionals often have a number available.  Considering their relatively low price, this is a logical decision.

Some exercises (such as thoracic and lumbar massaging) need two foam rollers of the same dimension and other exercises require two rollers of different size and shape.  The possibilities, combinations and uses are limited only by your imagination!

Optomo sells two books on foam roller exercises:

• Therapeutic Exercises using Foam Rollers
• The Great Foam Roller Handbook

Even though foam rollers can handle the weight of even the largest rugby player, they should still be treated with care to maximize the life of the device.  They can be cleaned with soap and water and sanitized with mild cleaning agents.

Here is a video on the Long Round Foam Roller and how to use it:

Posted in: Products, Tips

Basically a TENS machine sends small electrical stimulations to nerves in your body which then provides you with pain relief. This method has proven to be effective and safe for the treatment of chronic and acute pain.

TENS Machines have been found to be effective in treating: low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, period pain, tennis elbow, phantom limb pain and the pain of childbirth.

To ensure your safety and to guarantee quality, all our TENS Machines are registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under 98095.

We have two models of TENS Machines to choose from and they both include:

• TENS Unit
• 9-volt battery
• 2 lead wires
• 1 package of 4 pre-gelled electrodes
• Operating manual
• Carry case

	Com-TENS III TENS Machine The Com-TENS III unit is one of our most popular units, affording customers a low-cost solution that provides reliable, effective treatment. SAVE $50 - NOW $129
	Digi-Stim Digital TENS Machine The Digi-Stim TENS has an LCD display to help accurately set all parameters. It has fully adjustable parameters and can assist in providing temporary relief from acute or chronic pain. NOW $199

Posted in: Products, Tips

DeRoyal Pro Shoulder Support

This anatomically designed shoulder support is designed to provide stability and focused compression to the injured shoulder.

Pedal Exerciser

The Pedal Exerciser can be used by anyone requiring upper or lower limb rehabilitation.

Workplace A First Aid Kit Wall Mount

A comprehensive workplace First Aid Kit to suit medium to heavy industry situations.

Flexall 454 Gel Bottles x 3 - 454g / 16oz

Provides temporary, penetrating relief for painful muscles and joints.

Medspec ASO Ankle Brace - Black

The ASO Ankle Brace is the preferred choice of medical professionals for preventing and treating chronic ankle sprains.

Posted in: Products

SpiderTech kinesiology tape was used by two players in the Australian Open tennis finals over the weekend.

Chinese womens tennis player Li Na, who was recently signed to the SpiderTech Health & Wellness program, wore a black knee spider in her loss in the womens final to Kim Clijsters on saturday night.

Last night in the mens championship game, Novak Djokovic was wearing a blue right shoulder spider in his straight sets win over Andy Murray.

SpiderTech kinesiology tape is made with hypoallergenic acrylic glue and is manufactured to be the same weight, thickness and elasticity as the skin and is therefore able to integrate with the body's sensory system naturally.

Click here to check out the entire SpiderTech kinesiology tape range.

Posted in: In Action

One of our most popular products for muscle and joint pain relief is Flexall 454 Gel. It is a unique mentholated aloe vera gel formula enriched with vitamin E and contains 7% menthol as the active agent.

Flexall 454 Gel is used by physiotherapists & sports trainers for treatment of backache, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle sprains and strains, bruises, and cramps. It has also been found to be highly efffective for temporary relief of minor arthritis pain.

Directions For Use With Stretching.
Stretching before and after exercise is an integral part of any activity. While much emphasis is placed on stretching before exercise, there are additional benefits realized when stretching post-activity. Enhance all stretching sessions by applying Flexall prior to beginning.

Directions For Use With Soft Tissue Massage.
Liberally apply Flexall prior to massage. Periodically reapply until completion of the treatment.

Directions For Treating Sprains.
Liberally apply Flexall to the joint followed by the use of ice swabs and ice compression. Use 2 times daily. Continue using Flexall before contrast baths and warm whirlpools.

Directions For Treating Cramps.
Apply directly to the muscle which is cramping and massage. In the case of an individual who is very prone to cramping, massage the area with Flexall before exercise.

View our Flexall product pages for more information about the application methods and regulatory considerations.

TGA registered product - 49227

Posted in: Products

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