What is pressotherapy and how does it work?

If you have heard about compression therapy but still have some doubts and want to know everything about this revolutionary treatment, you are in the right blog. With this article, you will clear all your doubts: how compression therapy works and what it is for, what compression therapy machines exist, in which cases compression therapy works best, and much, much more. Let’s start with a little history.

Its first application was purely therapeutic, in the 1970s, interestingly as a postoperative treatment for vasectomy. Yes, men were the first to experience medical compression therapy. Later, well into the 1990s, it gained prominence in the field of aesthetics, mainly promoted with a female focus. And entering the new millennium, it stopped being pigeonholed as only aesthetic, as its therapeutic and sports functions were also recognized. This led to a real boom in the design and manufacture of devices aimed at offering a much more comprehensive integral treatment.

So nowadays, both women and men take advantage of the benefits of compression therapy for their health and figure, either by going to a center or mostly, given its many advantages, using a modern compression therapy device at home. Interesting, right? Shall we continue telling you what compression therapy is and how it works?

How a Compression Therapy Machine Works

A compression therapy device consists of a machine – also called a device or console – and a series of padded garments, designed to be inflatable, made from a material that is usually pleasant to the touch as well as fire-resistant. Connected to the power supply, the machine pushes air through tubes connected to the garments. This air passes sequentially through a series of independent chambers, called pneumatic-compression chambers, distributed throughout the garment. That is, they fill consecutively at a certain rhythm. Depending on the device and program, there comes a point in the session when all the chambers are inflated, maintaining the pressure for a longer period of time.

This compression and decompression massage applies moderate and sufficient pressure to stimulate the lymphatic system. It is located just below the skin. Therefore, not much force is needed to have an effect and redirect retained fluid, toxins, and fat cells. Essentially, this is how Compression Therapy works.

The most used garments are Compression Therapy boots but there are also shorts for glutes and hips, abdominal belts, and arm sleeves. These garments can be used separately or combined for a more complete treatment. Regarding the programs and pressure strength, each device is different, but a quality one should offer at least 4 programs to provide treatment versatility and also several pressure options, since not all problems need to be treated with the same intensity.

Distal-proximal massage

Don’t worry, it sounds very scientific but its definition is very simple. Colloquially, a distal-proximal massage is one performed from the body’s periphery toward its center. Distal means distant and proximal indicates proximity. When using a full Compression Therapy system, the garments cover almost the entire body, from the feet to the upper abdomen. And the massage always follows this same order; from the feet upward, progressively approaching the most central points of the lymphatic network that runs throughout the body.

And if we use only the Compression Therapy sleeve, exactly the same: the massage goes from the wrist to the deltoid area. We explain it this way in case you read it somewhere and it sounds a bit confusing. For example, the fingers are distal in relation to the shoulder. However, some Compression Therapy machines allow programming the air chamber filling circuit in reverse: in a proximal-distal direction, which is recommended for specific cases like peripheral arterial disease.

Those who suffer from it have difficulties directing blood flow from the heart to the extremities. Compression Therapy works very well to treat certain health conditions, but also to solve or keep many other problems at bay.

Compression Therapy and its 3 main applications What is Compression Therapy for?

Compression Therapy has 3 main applications: Aesthetic, sports, and therapeutic. We can also say it is a 3-in-1 treatment, because although you select a specific program, this type of massage achieves several effects at the same time, also allowing us to affirm that the lymphatic drainage of compression therapy has effects that go beyond the lymphatic ducts, also resulting in better tone and elasticity of all tissues thanks to better cleansing and oxygenation of them. Let’s not forget that in our body everything is interconnected, and the lymphatic system is key to good, purified, and fluid circulation, which also directly affects the immune system.

In summary, compression therapy is a method of moderate alternating pressure that stimulates the lymphatic system, while also improving the functioning of the vascular system and the immune system. That is why compression therapy and poor circulation are well-associated concepts. And when both systems work better, the body responds satisfactorily. Is this treatment that good? The truth is yes, but everything works in compression therapy as it does in other treatments.

Depending on each case, a certain level of willpower, commitment, and patience will be necessary, especially if you are wondering whether compression therapy helps you lose weight. Rome wasn’t built in a day. That’s the start. The truth is that it is not a method to lose kilos, but rather to define and maintain your figure. You can achieve very positive results if you use compression therapy for cellulite. Now that you know what compression therapy is and what it is for, let’s see the cases in which you can apply it with guaranteed success.

Compression therapy for therapeutic purposes

Using compression therapy for therapeutic purposes greatly helps to prevent, relieve, and reduce multiple health problems. That is why many clinics offer this treatment as medical or medical-aesthetic compression therapy, not only because of the many benefits of compression therapy for the legs, but also because you can greatly improve both internal functions and external appearance by using it for:

• Edema, lipoedema and lymphedema (congenital and post-operative)
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Obstructed lymphatic ducts
• Accumulation of fats and toxins
• Spider veins and varicosis
• Venous ulcer (even stubborn or chronic)
• Reduce any general inflammation
• Venous stasis (obstruction or compression of veins)
• Redirect fluid retention
• Relieve tired legs syndrome
• Muscle recovery of immobilized patients
• Reactivation of circulation in paralyzed limbs
• Post-operative care after liposuction
• Post-surgical bruises
• Stress (due to its relaxing effect)
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (with proximal-distal massage)
• Post-phlebitic syndrome (pain, redness, and swelling of the leg due to venous clot)

Compression Therapy for sports purposes

Many athletes, both professional and amateur, are joining the use of Compression Therapy for sports purposes every day to:

• Relieve muscle soreness
• Eliminate lactic acid faster
• Oxygenate all tissues
• Maintain good lymphatic health
• Recover faster after training
• Relieve edema caused by muscle damage
• Combat competition-related stress

Compression Therapy for aesthetic purposes

What to say about Compression Therapy for aesthetic purposes? Both men and women use body Compression Therapy to beautify their bodies. There is even facial Compression Therapy, which, like all Compression Therapy, helps boost blood flow, relax muscles, and improve tone by stimulating collagen production. On the rest of the body, besides boots, Compression Therapy belts for the abdomen, Compression Therapy shorts for buttocks and hips, or Compression Therapy sleeves for arms are often used. And all these garments help you to:

• Reduce “orange peel skin”: Yes, Compression Therapy and cellulite go perfectly together.
• Improve sagging. Better circulation = greater tissue elasticity.
• Reduce volume in localized areas, keeping those extra centimeters in check.
• Oxygenate the skin and tissues and tone the muscles in general.
• Prevent and fight varicosis: Compression Therapy and varicose veins is another successful combination, as improving lymphatic and blood circulation reduces this type of lesion.
• Speed up post-partum recovery. The compressed It’s the best gift for a mom!
• Compression Therapy for slimming: This treatment is not indicated by itself for losing a lot of weight, but it does help reduce body contour and redirect fluid retention, which also contributes to excess weight.

Although there are many benefits of Compression Therapy, in some cases it may be contraindicated. We advise you to consult a doctor to rule out any impediments. 

Advantages of using your own Compression Therapy machine

Now that you know that Compression Therapy does quite a lot, you might be wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of Compression Therapy. The truth is, if you can get your own equipment, it’s all advantages and none to be overlooked:

• The machine does it all. Select a program and relax!
• No schedules. You decide when to use your device and how long your session lasts.
• With very precise pressure, you can do Compression Therapy every day.
• At home, you can watch TV, read, or listen to music during your session. At your own pace!
• How about sharing your device with other family members?
• Incalculable savings and quick profitability. Regular visits to a center can greatly increase your monthly budget, but having Compression Therapy at home for life IS PRICELESS.

SIZEN: The leading Compression Therapy brand in the Spanish market

Since our beginnings, we have committed to offering a Compression Therapy device accessible to the general public, gathering all the features that give SIZEN its 5-star rating capable of positioning it as the leading Compression Therapy brand in the Spanish market:

• Best value for money on the market
• Made in Spain design, compact and ergonomic, easy to use thanks to its Quick Connect System, and portable in a very sporty-style bag.
• Technically efficient: 5 hours of battery, 4 massage programs, 6 compression chambers, sessions up to 90 minutes, and maximum pressure of 240 mmHg
• Excellence in customer service / personal advice, because deciding which Compression Therapy device to buy is a serious matter that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
• 15-day trial, financing options, free delivery, and 2-year warranty

Obviously, besides these points, SIZEN Compression Therapy works because the different needs of not only athletes who use Compression Therapy for its integrated intelligent recovery system but also people who want to improve both aesthetics and health thanks to this revolutionary treatment have been carefully considered. That’s why the machine Sizen 6+ It is so popular and a big favorite among users. And if you still have doubts about whether Compression Therapy delivers results, take a look at our social media and you’ll be able to read the opinions of both our ambassadors and customers.

Now that you know everything about Compression Therapy, what it is for, and all the benefits of lymphatic drainage, all that’s left is for you to experience the effects of Compression Therapy firsthand, whether your goals are aesthetic, athletic, or therapeutic. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy an excellent tool at home designed to help you take care of your body and improve your well-being.