The lymphatic system has a very important function in the human body, it is involved in the transport of hormones, the formation of immunity and the drainage of fluids. Under the influence of some pathological processes or with aging, the natural flow of lymph through the vessels can slow down, causing fluid retention in the intercellular space. Such negative changes lead to edema and cause congestion. Pressotherapy, a lymphatic drainage technique, is used to improve lymphatic flow.

What is pressotherapy

Pressotherapy is a type of hardware massage, the essence of which is the mechanical action on the body with compressed air. The therapeutic effect of the procedure is based on activating the flow of lymph through the vessels and accelerating the escape of fluid from the intercellular space. When lymph drainage is disturbed, toxins and products of cellular decay begin to accumulate in the lymph. Stimulation of lymph flow promotes the enhanced removal of unwanted components from the subcutaneous tissue.

To perform the procedure, a special suit is put on the person, in which air is pressurized under pressure. The rhythmic compression of the body, alternating with episodes of relaxation, stimulates blood circulation, displaces accumulated liquid in the intercellular space and accelerates the movement of lymph through the vessels, thus starting the slimming process. The device for the procedure is designed to take into account all the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the body, so during the procedure the person does not feel any discomfort.

Indications and contraindications

Pressotherapy has a positive effect on the body, so it is widely used in both cosmetology and medicine. The main indications for the procedure are:

1. Pathology of the venous and lymphatic streams. Varicose disease, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphedema, lymphostasis, lymphoedema of the upper extremities after mastectomy, prevention of venous thrombosis and congestion in bed-ridden patients.
2. Correction of aesthetic defects. Weakened skin turgor, the first signs of aging, swelling.
3. Rehabilitation. Pressotherapy is applied after surgical liposuction and cavitation.
4. Drawbacks of a figure. Overweight, cellulite, flabby and sagging abdomen and flanks, excess skin after drastic weight loss.
5. Pathology of the musculoskeletal system. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteochondrosis.
6. Psycho-emotional disorders. Overwork, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, insomnia, neurosis.

Pressotherapy is also used for preventive purposes:

1. prevention of varicose veins of the extremities;
2. prevention of pathologies of the nervous, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
3. prevention of negative changes associated with a sedentary lifestyle (bowel atony, constipation, prostatitis).

Specific contraindication to pressotherapy only one – violation of the integrity of the skin in areas in contact with the cuffs of the device. The exceptions are stale scratches, crusted and with no signs of bacterial infection and phlegm wounds. The procedure is subject to limitations common to any physiotherapeutic manipulation:

– Cardiovascular pathology – hypertension in the 3rd stage, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, heart disease in decompensation stage;

– oncologic pathologies;

– Blood diseases – coagulopathies, susceptibility to bleeding;

– Neurological diseases – epilepsy, hysteria, psychosis accompanied by psychomotor agitation;

– fever;

– Tuberculosis in the active phase;

– metal structures in the place of body contact with the cuffs;

– The period of menstruation in women.

What is the procedure

No special preparation is required before the pressotherapy. The last meal is possible 2 hours before the session. The bladder must be empty, as the procedure provokes an increased outflow of fluid from the body. A special suit is put on the body, which is individual cuffs for certain body parts – long boots for the lower extremities, cuffs, wide waist belt, as well as cuffs for the abdomen and buttocks. The peculiarity of the suit is that on the inside it is a chamber filled with air in different modes.

Pressotherapy is carried out in the supine position. During the session, it is allowed to read a book or watch TV. After starting the device, the patient will feel a strong pressure on the areas where the cuffs are located. Painful sensations are not observed if the mode is selected correctly. After some time (from 30 seconds to 2 minutes) the pressure is released, compression is replaced by vacuum. The average duration of one pressotherapy session is 20-35 minutes. During this time the pressure rises and drops rhythmically. The maximum compression threshold is selected individually. During the first sessions the average pressure level is 40-60 mm Hg and if the patient does not feel any pain the pressure is gradually increased up to the maximum level of 120 mm Hg. After the procedure it is recommended to lie down for a while and then slowly go up to the horizontal position.

Side effects

In the absence of contraindications and the proper conduct of pressotherapy pronounced side effects do not occur. Due to the increased blood and lymph flow as well as a powerful effect on the edematous tissue, there is a possibility of more frequent urination, which is necessary in order to remove the excess fluid from the body. Increased pressure on soft tissues may damage small vessels, so that after the session small bruises or red pinpoint haemorrhages appear on the skin. Such symptoms are safe and go away on their own after some time.

Patients with massive congestion after the first lymph drainage procedures may have edema in atypical places. This is due to the fact that under the influence of high pressure there is a massive outflow of fluid from the lower extremities to other areas of the body, and it is distributed unevenly over the body. If there is a violation of the technique of pressotherapy or the presence of contraindications to it, complications can occur. For example, the procedure during menstruation often provokes increased bleeding due to the increased circulation of lymph and blood flow in the body.

How often should I make a pressotherapy?

The frequency of pressotherapy is always determined by the clinic doctor based on indications, contraindications and other individual characteristics of the body. As a rule, a full course includes 15-25 procedures, once every 2-3 days. Such a frequency of manipulation is connected with the necessity of certain time for recovery of the body and adaptation of the body to the changes occurred. It is strongly not recommended to violate the intensity and frequency of sessions in order to accelerate the effect – it can lead to undesirable consequences.

It is necessary to keep in mind that sudden weight loss is stressful for the body and negatively affects all its systems, including the skin, therefore there is a risk of developing the opposite effect. The average duration of one pressotherapy session is 25 minutes; if necessary it can be increased up to 45 minutes under the constant supervision of a specialist. Exceeding the indicated time is undesirable, especially when performing the procedure at home.

Can I do it every day?

There are no strong recommendations prohibiting daily pressotherapy. But there are reasons to consider daily lymph drainage sessions inappropriate. Too frequent exposure of the body leads to an overload of the body, because the increased blood and lymph flow requires the active work of the internal organs. In addition, it takes time to adapt to the changes. The optimal frequency for the procedure is once every 2-3 days.

The benefits of pressotherapy

A full course of lymphatic drainage machine treatments provides visible, lasting results in the treatment of certain diseases and the removal of aesthetic flaws in the body. Such results are confirmed by several clinical trials and feedback from patients who have undergone a full course of sessions. The first positive results are seen after just 3-4 sessions, the effect is comparable to 30 hours of manual massage.

Active pressure on soft tissues during pressotherapy improves outflow of intercellular fluid and lymph from the extremities. Musculature relaxes, blood flow increases and microcirculation increases, due to which the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the structures of the body increases. Rhythmic compression of the limbs and waist with an airtight cuff produces a relaxing, toning, lymphodraining, vasodilating, catabolic and trophostimulating effect.

The complex effect of the procedure makes it possible to reduce the effective dosage of medicines in patients with serious diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and others. The results obtained by passing the full course of procedures, last for about six months, sometimes a year.

Pressotherapy has a pronounced cosmetic effect. By removing excess fluid from the subcutaneous tissue, it reduces volume and tones the skin, creating a slim figure. Intensive treatment of the thighs and buttocks helps to get rid of cellulite.

A full course of therapy makes it possible to achieve the following results:

– weight reduction;

– silhouette contouring;

– treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome;

– stress relief;

– Increase the tone of the walls of blood vessels;

– immunity strengthening;

– slowing the aging process;

– elimination of heavy limbs;

– preventing thrombosis and varicose veins in the legs.

How to combine with wraps

Lymphatic drainage procedures are well combined with other cosmetic methods of weight loss and skin rejuvenation. Pressotherapy is often performed together with various wraps. These two methods reinforce each other’s action – under pressure by improving blood circulation in the tissues improves the penetration of nutrients deep into the skin. A wrap composition is applied to the problem areas of the body, for example, a mud mask with the addition of seaweed. Then, a cosmetic film is applied over the applied mass, over which the cuffs of the apparatus for pressotherapy are put. At the end of the procedure the composition is simply rinsed off the body.

Recommendations for increasing the efficiency of the procedure

To accelerate the onset of the positive effect of pressotherapy and maintain it for a long time, you need to follow a few simple recommendations:

– Drink a sufficient amount of clean water;

– Moisturize the skin daily;

– Take a contrast shower;

– Adhere to a proper diet;

– Do moderate physical exercise.

Pressotherapy is one of the most effective salon procedures for body correction. It helps to achieve fast positive changes in appearance, normalize the work of internal organs, and maintain health. Apparatus massage allows you to achieve results in a few sessions, which are not always achieved even through the use of specialized drugs and physical education.