Recovery Terms in Plain Language

Massage terms include sports massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, cupping, and trigger point. Sports massage connects hands-on work to activity context. Deep tissue often means slower focused pressure. Myofascial release is a broad label for sustained or slow pressure. Cupping uses suction and may leave marks. Trigger point describes a tender spot, not a proven toxin pocket or permanent knot. A service can remain optional even when it is available, familiar, or popular among people with similar goals.

Heat and cold terms describe exposures, not guaranteed outcomes. Infrared sauna uses radiant energy, while traditional sauna relies more on heated air. Cold-water immersion places part of the body in cold water and can trigger cold shock. Contrast therapy alternates heat and cold. Cryotherapy is broader and must distinguish localized equipment from a whole-body chamber before any protocol or claim is assigned. A comfort change can inform preference without identifying the cause, proving healing, or clearing the next session.

Dynamic or intermittent pneumatic compression uses inflatable chambers that apply and release pressure around a limb. A sleeve is the wearable component, while a cycle is the programmed inflation sequence. Fit, pressure, body area, and contraindications depend on the exact device. FDA clearance supports specific labeled language for a verified model and does not prove every recovery, circulation, or performance promise. An observation becomes more useful when it leads to a clear adjustment and a later check on the result.

Training terms include load, readiness, active recovery, adaptation, and DOMS. Load combines frequency, volume, intensity, novelty, and context. Readiness is a judgment based on several cues, not one score. Active recovery is genuinely easy movement. Adaptation is the longer-term response to training. DOMS means delayed onset muscle soreness and should not be used as a label for every injury or severe symptom. Use that cue with the week's training, sleep, nutrition, and life stress rather than interpreting it alone.

Evidence labels describe confidence and relevance. Verified means the source was checked, not that every implied claim is true. Indirect evidence studies a related but different device, population, or outcome. Mixed evidence means results or certainty vary. A clinical or booking hold means a provider, device, protocol, oversight, consent, or other material fact is unresolved, so online booking remains unavailable. When several cues move away from normal together, reduce certainty and consider whether qualified guidance is needed.