Is pressotherapy effective for treating Lymphedema and Lipedema?

If you are affected by lymphedema or lipedema, we can affirm that the correct use of pressotherapy can greatly help improve your condition. It is especially effective in the initial phase when combined with compression garments, exercise, and intensive skin care.

The use of pressotherapy stimulates the circulatory system and generates lymphatic drainage that helps eliminate fluids, toxins, and fats that cause lymphedema. Similarly, it also helps dissolve fat deposits that cause lipedema.

Why do lymphedema and lipedema occur?

Lymphedema and lipedema are two common conditions that mostly affect women (although cases in men also exist, they are genetically less predisposed).

Both problems are distinct and do not have the same origin, although in some cases they may appear together.

Let’s analyze both concepts separately:

Origin and definition of lymphedema

Lymphedema is a dysfunction of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is connected to the immune and circulatory systems and consists of a complex network of lymph nodes responsible for filtering and cleansing toxins, fats, and fluids found between tissues. Its goal is to keep the body clean and toxin-free.

Lymph fluid circulates through the lymphatic vessels, carrying all those fat residues and toxins found between tissues, which are then filtered in the lymph nodes and returned to the bloodstream.

In cases of lymphedema, tissues become flooded, causing swelling and pain, most commonly accumulating in the arms and legs.

In most cases, the origin of lymphedema is hereditary (commonly known as primary lymphedema) and manifests from birth, either due to having fewer lymph nodes than usual or lymphatic vessels of larger diameter.

Secondary lymphedema occurs when lymph nodes are removed or lymphatic vessels are dissected due to various treatments. This happens in some cancer therapies, severe infections, obesity, or chronic venous insufficiency.

Origin and definition of lipedema

The case of lipedema is different because it is not related to the lymphatic system but is caused by the formation of localized fat deposits in the legs or arms that cause dystrophy. Additionally, these fat deposits are usually painful to the touch and over time become encapsulated in the tissues and harden, which can eventually cause bone problems.

Like primary lymphedema, it is hereditary and mostly affects women and girls. Although it is not always linked to obesity, obesity does worsen it.

What are the benefits of pressotherapy for lymphedema and lipedema?

Pressotherapy can be used as a treatment for both lymphedema and lipedema, helping to significantly reduce their symptoms with proven results.

Besides aiding lymphatic drainage and dissolving fat clusters, the use of pressotherapy provides other complementary benefits that improve the patient’s quality of life, such as reducing muscle tension and stress, relieving muscle and joint pain, alleviating tired legs, and reducing swelling and circumference measurements.

On the other hand, it has internal benefits that, over time, also improve symptoms of both conditions, such as stimulating the immune system, activating circulation, improving blood exchange and toxin drainage, and oxygenating muscle tissues.

Effects of pressotherapy on the lymphatic system

The pressure and decompression waves of pressotherapy stimulate both the circulatory and lymphatic systems, helping the latter perform drainage and contributing to the elimination of fats, toxins, and fluids deposited between tissues.

This is why pressotherapy is recommended for treating cellulite, edema, lymphedema, varicose veins, or lipedema.

When is pressotherapy used for lymphedema and/or lipedema?

It is especially effective in the initial phase when combined with compression garments, exercise, and intensive skin care. However, the use of pressotherapy is not discouraged at any stage of treatment.

If you use a home pressotherapy device, you must make sure to choose a device that provides all the guarantees required for continuous treatment like that for lymphedema. Generally, applying moderate pressure for half an hour daily does not pose any health risks.

In fact, for those with lymphedema or lipedema, consistency in treatment will make the effects more noticeable, although depending on symptoms, 3 or 4 sessions per week may be enough to feel symptom relief.

In any case, we should always start with less pressure and gradually increase it, ensuring it always feels pleasant and not painful, and after consulting a doctor who can help determine the frequency and intensity to apply in each case.

Excluding serious pathologies, Sizen pressotherapy can be a great ally in treating lymphedema and lipedema, aiming to reduce the circumference of affected areas, improve the sensation of tired legs, and ultimately enhance quality of life.

Both the Sizen 6+ machine and the pressotherapy boots are indicated for treating both conditions. Having a chronic condition makes having guaranteed, quality treatment at home a true luxury.