Game Ready Ice Machine & Wraps

Game Ready Ice Machine

Game Ready Ice Machine Wraps

Game Ready’s extensive line of wraps utilizes dual-action technology to deliver cold and compression therapies simultaneously from head to toe. These low-profile, lightweight wraps are anatomically designed for circumferential coverage. Available in various sizes for most major body parts, all wraps are compatible with the GRPro 2.1 and Med4 Elite systems.

Game Ready FAQ's

What is Game Ready?

Game Ready® is the leader in active compression and cold therapy technology for injury treatment and post-operative recovery. The company was founded in 1997 using NASA technology to create an unparalleled sports medicine and post-op recovery device that simultaneously delivers active pneumatic compression and adjustable cold therapies.

Game Ready offers therapy systems—the GRPro® 2.1 and the Med4 Elite®—which, along with anatomically designed wraps, deliver active compression in combination with therapeutic cold and/or heat for recovery from injury or surgery.

The GRPro 2.1 system is used by medical professionals and athletic programs of all levels around the world. The Med4 Elite, which provides iceless cold, heat, rapid contrast, and active compression therapies, boasts an impressive user roster as well.

What is active compression and cold technology?

The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 enables the simultaneous delivery of active compression and therapeutic cold through a patented ACCEL® (Active Compression and Cold Exchange Loop) technology. The system increases and releases pressure (to provide intermittent pneumatic compression) while also rapidly circulating ice water via separate wrap chambers.

The control unit allows you to adjust the time, pressure, and temperature to provide customized treatment based on your doctor’s recommendations and where you are in the healing process. For treatment while sleeping, the system offers continuously alternating treatment and “rest” cycles.

Game Ready wraps feature a patented, dual-action ATX® (Active Temperature Exchange) design that enables the simultaneous circulation of ice water and air. Each wrap is composed of an inner twochamber heat exchanger and a removable, replaceable outer sleeve.

What is cold therapy?

Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is the local application of therapeutic cold delivered through methods such as ice packs, gel packs, ice baths, and therapeutic recovery devices like Game Ready.

After an injury or surgery, the body’s natural inflammatory response increases blood flow, edema buildup, and the movement of white blood cells to the soft-tissue injury site. Cold therapy helps decrease edema, which means less swelling and, therefore, better range of motion during the recovery period. Using cold therapy for pain management also allows many patients to significantly reduce, or even eliminate, the need for medication after surgery or an injury.

When combined with active compression, cold therapy helps increase blood flow to the injury site by mimicking the body’s natural pumping action. The delivery of freshly oxygenated blood and nutrients helps accelerate the recovery of damaged tissues. During injury recovery, applying cold therapy after physical therapy sessions may help eliminate downtime while sore tissues rebound from intense physical activity. Physical therapy can often cause a temporary increase in pain and swelling, which can be counteracted with cold therapy.

What is heat therapy?

Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, is the application of heat to promote the dilation of blood vessels and increase circulation to tissues damaged by surgery or injury. This increased circulation supports the lymphatic system, reduces pain, stimulates natural healing, and helps with the removal of toxins and cellular waste by increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients.

The application of therapeutic heat helps relax muscles and reduces the guarding that can lead to painful muscle spasms in response to an injury or trauma. Heat can also ease stiffness and improve joint mobility and circulation. This may help improve range of motion and flexibility, especially when used in conjunction with the appropriate stretching exercises.

Applying heat may also help increase flexibility and range of motion by relaxing tense or sore muscles. Some physical therapists start treatment sessions with heat therapy to help loosen up the joints and surrounding muscles and soft tissues prior to therapeutic exercises during injury recovery.

What is rapid contrast therapy?

Rapid contrast therapy is a treatment method that quickly alternates the application of therapeutic heat and cold. Contract therapy is typically delivered by immersion in cold- and hot-water baths, by switching hot and cold packs, or with a medical device. Game Ready’s Med4 Elite, uses “rapid contrast therapy,” meaning it rapidly alternates temperature.

Alternating heat and cold produce an analgesic effect through two mechanisms. The application of therapeutic heat relaxes muscles and reduces the guarding that can lead to painful muscle spasms. In contrast, the application of therapeutic cold helps slow down the conduction of nerve cells and temporarily numbs damaged tissues, which reduces the sensation of pain.

Applying localized heat increases blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the treated area. Cold therapy does the opposite by restricting the flow of blood and other fluids to the injured area, which helps prevent additional swelling. By rapidly alternating between the two, you can get the therapeutic benefits of localized heat without causing additional edema. Contrast therapy is also used by athletes to reduce muscle soreness after athletic activity.

What is active compression therapy?

Active compression therapy is the use of a device to provide intermittent pressure to the area surrounding an injury or surgical site. In contrast to static compression, which is typically applied with elastic bandages or wraps, active compression provides multiple benefits. Static compression helps prevent the buildup of edema and reduces swelling, but active compression also mimics natural “squeeze and release” muscle contractions, helping pump edema away while stimulating the flow of oxygenated blood to the injury site.

When combined with cold therapy, active compression therapy improves the delivery of therapeutic cold by increasing skin-contact surface area. The cold also penetrates deeper with active compression than it does with static compression, allowing the benefits of the therapeutic cold to reach more damaged tissues and last longer.

How does it work?

Cold therapy reduces tissue temperature in an injured area, which reduces the metabolic rate and the production of metabolites and metabolic heat, thus decreasing pain.

When heat therapy is applied and blood vessels dilate, the increase in blood flow and muscle temperature stimulates analgesia, improves nutrition at the cellular level, resolves edema, and removes metabolites and other products of the inflammatory process to promote healing.

Rapid contrast therapy alternately opens and constricts the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to an injured area without causing additional swelling.

Intermittent compression therapy provides even pressure around an injured area, which mechanically reduces the amount of space available for the swelling to accumulate, increases lymphatic flow, decreases swelling, and enhances tissue healing.

Who can use Game Ready?

Game Ready can be used by many patients or athletes who are recovering from surgery or an injury, on the recommendation of a licensed healthcare professional. Game Ready is used all over the world by people and institutions such as:

• Orthopedic surgeons
• Athletic trainers
• Physical therapists
• Chiropractors
• University hospitals
• Professional athletic leagues
• College sports teams
• Amateur athletes and weekend warriors
• Everyday people

Game Ready can be used for recovery from most types of surgery as well as injuries such as:

• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Muscle tears and pulls
• Dislocated joints
• Overuse injuries

What areas of the body can be treated?

Game Ready’s adjustable wraps can be applied to a broad range of areas, including the:

• Upper back and CT spine
• Lower back
• Shoulder
• Elbow (flexed or straight)
• Hand and wrist
• Hip and groin
• Knee (articulated or straight)
• Lower leg
• Full leg
• Ankle and foot

The wraps are fully adjustable and can be used for a variety of patient shapes and sizes. Some wraps also come in multiple sizes to ensure the best fit. We also offer extender straps for specific wrap configurations.

Is it safe? Are there any side effects?

Game Ready is safe to use when you’re following the recommendations of a licensed medical professional. Because both the temperature and the pressure settings are adjustable, Game Ready may be safer than alternatives. For example, cold packs can cause ice burns when applied directly to the skin. Game Ready’s patented wraps deliver temperature and time-controlled therapeutic cold, minimizing the risk of frostbite or cold burns.

Temporary pain relief during and after treatment may be achieved without the use of prescription medications that can cause unwanted side effects. When pain starts to return, it is safe to use Game Ready as long as there has been a rest period (typically 30 minutes) between treatments.

How effective are the treatments?

Game Ready is so effective that it can be found in the most prestigious orthopedic centers, physical therapy clinics, and athletic training facilities globally. In fact, the treatment system is relied on by Olympic athletes, military special forces, and countless teams from virtually every professional sport.

How often should I use Game Ready?

Follow the treatment recommendations of your licensed healthcare practitioner for duration and frequency of use.

The most common recommendation is to use cold therapy at least four times a day, for approximately 30 minutes each time, with at least a 30-minute break between treatments. After consulting with a healthcare provider about the temperature and pressure settings and getting a specific recommendation for the frequency and duration of your treatments, you may use Game Ready on your own at home.

What makes Game Ready different from competitors?

Game Ready is revolutionary in that it offers the simultaneous delivery of both active intermittent compression and cold therapy in one easy-to-use unit. Additionally, head-to-head thermal imagery shows that Game Ready’s patented active compression technology enhances the delivery of cold therapy, helping Game Ready provide faster, deeper, and longer-lasting cold than other cryotherapy products.

How do I clean the system?

If desired, the system (Control Unit, Hoses, and Wraps) can be flushed with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, and run on no compression (“off”). This should be followed by running the Control Unit with clean water only on the no compression (“off”) setting. The exterior of the Control Unit and the visible interior surfaces of the reservoir can be cleaned with a soft cloth and one of the following cleaning agents:

• Mild detergent
• 70% isopropyl alcohol
• Antifect® FF
• Mikrozid® Sensitive Wipes
• Quaternary ammonium (such as Virex® – typically only found in a clinical use setting)
• CaviCide®

What Customers Are Saying About Game Ready