Pressotherapy - what is the procedure, benefits and side effects

The lymphatic system performs the most important functions in the human body, participates in the transport of hormones, the formation of immunity, and the removal of fluid. Under the influence of certain pathological processes or as we age, the natural flow of lymph through the vessels can slow down, causing fluid retention in the intercellular space. Such negative changes lead to swelling and cause stagnation. To improve lymph flow, pressotherapy is used - a lymphatic drainage hardware technique.

What is pressotherapy

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

To perform the procedure, a person is put on a special suit into which air is pumped under pressure. Rhythmic compression of the body, which alternates with episodes of relaxation, stimulates blood circulation, displaces fluid accumulated in the intercellular space and accelerates the movement of lymph through the vessels, starting the process of weight loss. The apparatus for carrying out the procedure is designed taking into account all the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the body, so during the procedure a person does not feel any significant discomfort.

What is pressotherapy?

Pressotherapy is a massage with compressed air, which is supplied through a special suit connected to the device.
The latter consists of different sections - pants, sleeves, belt, allowing effects on both the whole body and its individual parts, for example, the back or legs. Such a suit was developed taking into account the physiological and anatomical characteristics of a person. The pressotherapy device is computerized, which allows you to adjust the intensity, air pressure in the suit and exposure time depending on the goals of the procedure, the condition of the patient’s body and skin. Pain and discomfort during such a massage are excluded, provided it is performed correctly. On the contrary, normal sensations are relaxation and pleasant warmth throughout the body after the procedure, which is why it is in demand.

Benefits of pressotherapy

It’s not for nothing that pressotherapy is popular among hardware massage and body shaping techniques, because this procedure has a number of advantages compared to others:

absence of pain and discomfort;
a pleasant relaxing effect both during and after;
effective fight against cellulite and sagging skin;
lack of rehabilitation period;
muscle relaxation;
high massage effect;
improving immunity and overall health;
help with sleep problems;
improved digestion.

Thus, pressotherapy not only has a pronounced cosmetic effect, but also has a beneficial effect on health in general, which makes it also a therapeutic procedure. In this case, the patient experiences extremely pleasant sensations during the session.

Indications and contraindications

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

Pathology of the venous and lymphatic bed. Varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphedema, lymphostasis, lymphedema of the upper extremities after mastectomy, prevention of venous thrombosis and congestion in bedridden patients.
Correction of aesthetic imperfections. Weakened skin turgor, the appearance of the first signs of aging, swelling.
Rehabilitation. Pressotherapy is used after surgical liposuction and cavitation.
Figure flaws. Excess weight, cellulite, flabbiness and sagging of the abdomen and sides, excess skin after sudden weight loss.
Pathology of the musculoskeletal system. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteochondrosis.
Psycho-emotional disorders. Overwork, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, insomnia, neurosis.

Pressotherapy is also used for preventive purposes:

prevention of varicose veins of the extremities;
prevention of pathology of the nervous, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
prevention of negative changes associated with a sedentary lifestyle (intestinal atony, constipation, prostatitis).

There is only one specific contraindication for pressotherapy - violation of the integrity of the skin in areas in contact with the cuffs of the device. The exception is stale scratches, covered with crusts and without signs of bacterial infection or weeping of the wound. The procedure is subject to restrictions common to any physiotherapeutic manipulation:

cardiovascular pathology – hypertension in the 3rd stage, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, heart disease in the stage of decompensation;
oncological pathologies;
blood diseases - coagulopathies, bleeding tendency;
neurological diseases - epilepsy, hysteria, psychosis, accompanied by psychomotor agitation;
fever;
tuberculosis in the active phase;
metal structures at the point of contact of the body with the cuffs;
period of menstruation in women.

Contraindications

There are a number of cases in which this type of hardware massage is prohibited.

Contraindications to pressotherapy:

heart failure;
high blood pressure;
heat;
the beginning of the menstrual cycle;
bleeding;
thrombophlebitis;
renal failure;
aneurysm of blood vessels, cardiac aorta;
acute fever;
deep vein thrombosis;
severe degrees of varicose veins;
inflammation;
cardiac edema;
pulmonary edema;
fractures and dislocations of limbs;
suppuration;
diabetes;
electronic stimulators, implants;

If a patient is diagnosed with malignant tumors, then the home device should absolutely not be used.

How does the procedure work?

No special preparation is required before 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 consists of separate cuffs for certain parts of the body - long boots for the lower extremities, sleeves, a wide hip belt, as well as cuffs for the abdomen and buttocks. The peculiarity of the suit is that from the inside it consists of chambers filled with air in various modes.

Pressotherapy is performed in the supine position. During the session you are allowed to read a book or watch TV. After starting the device, the patient will feel strong pressure on the areas where the cuffs are located. No pain is observed with the correct regimen. After some time (from 30 seconds to 2 minutes), the pressure drops, compression is replaced by vacuum. The average duration of one pressotherapy procedure is 20–35 minutes. During this entire time, the pressure rises and falls rhythmically. The maximum compression threshold is selected individually. In the first sessions, the average pressure level is 40–60 mm. Hg Art., and if the patient does not experience pain, it is gradually raised to a maximum of 120 mm. Hg Art. After the procedure, it is recommended to lie down for a while and only then slowly rise to a horizontal position.

What is needed for pressotherapy

The manipulation is carried out in a lying or half-sitting position. The kit includes a suit, which consists of a jacket and boots, which consist of segments. These are very convenient designs that can be combined to the required extent. The costume can be worn in full or using its individual components (belt, sleeves, boots). Thanks to this, only the necessary areas of the body will be subjected to lymphatic drainage massage.

Once the suit is secured, the system supplies compressed air under pressure to the components of the suit, which inflate. The air supply frequency and pressure are determined by a computer.

There is a wave-like effect on tissues and organs, which simulates anti-cellulite massage. Thanks to these effects, blood circulation improves, which promotes the activation of metabolic processes. In some cases, pressotherapy is carried out in combination with infrared exposure to enhance the desired effect.

Pressotherapy indications for the procedure:

cellulite;
excess body weight in combination with focal fat deposits;
muscle tension;
abdominal adhesions and constipation;
gout and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
chronic fatigue syndrome and stress of various natures;
as a prevention of the above diseases.

Side effects

In the absence of contraindications and proper implementation of pressotherapy, no significant side effects occur. Due to increased blood and lymph flow, as well as a powerful effect on edematous tissue, urination may become more frequent - this is necessary to remove excess fluid from the body. With increased pressure on soft tissues, small vessels can be damaged, which is why small hematomas or red pinpoint hemorrhages appear on the skin after the session. Such symptoms are harmless and go away on their own after some time.

In patients with massive congestion after the first lymphatic drainage procedures, swelling in atypical places is possible. 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, while it is distributed unevenly throughout the body. If the pressotherapy technique is violated or there are contraindications to it, complications may arise. For example, carrying out a procedure during menstruation often provokes increased bleeding due to increased lymph circulation and blood flow in the body.

Purpose of pressotherapy

Pressotherapy was developed to combat cosmetic skin ailments by affecting the deep layers of the dermis, blood vessels and lymphatic system. Thanks to correct and soft massage movements during the procedure, metabolic processes in the body are normalized, it is cleansed of waste and toxins that enter the lymph and, with the help of the kidneys, are excreted in the urine.

The diuretic effect as a result of the pressotherapy procedure is an indicator of its effectiveness.

Pressotherapy also promotes the breakdown of fat mass, as a result of which it is shown as an effective means of combating obesity. Other purposes of the procedure: normalization of water balance and restoration of venous outflow, which leads to the accumulation of clean water in the intercellular space. In addition, pressotherapy helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, effectively fights swelling and relieves muscle tension.

Thus, due to its effect on deep processes in the body, pressotherapy is considered one of the most effective procedures in the fight against cellulite and sagging skin. After just a couple of sessions, the body becomes more toned and slender, and the skin becomes smooth and elastic, which also occurs due to improved lymph flow and removal of excess fluid from the body.

To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to use pressotherapy in conjunction with sports, proper nutrition and procedures that improve skin condition: thalassotherapy, mesotherapy, etc.

In addition to the cosmetic effect, pressotherapy is also indicated for medical purposes, for example, for headaches due to tense back and neck muscles, varicose veins and other vascular problems, pain in the legs and arms, diabetic angiopathy, padagre, adhesions in the abdominal cavities. This procedure is often recommended after liposuction and other surgeries as a quick restorative remedy.

Among other things, pressotherapy is an excellent tool in the fight against stress and its consequences: irritability, insomnia, muscle tension and spasms. Thanks to its mild relaxing effect and improvement of metabolic processes, pressotherapy helps to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and improve digestion, which most often suffer if a person experiences strong emotions.

How often to do 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. This frequency of manipulation is associated with the need for a certain amount of time to restore the body and adapt the body to the changes that have arisen. It is highly not recommended to violate the intensity and frequency of sessions in order to speed up the effect - this can lead to undesirable consequences.

It must be taken into account that sudden weight loss is stressful for the body and negatively affects all its systems, including the skin, so 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 to 45 minutes under the constant supervision of a specialist. Exceeding the specified time is undesirable, especially when performing the procedure at home.

Can it be done every day?

There are no strict recommendations that prohibit daily pressotherapy. But there are reasons to consider daily lymphatic drainage sessions inappropriate. Too frequent exposure to the body leads to overload of the body, since increased blood and lymph flow requires active work of internal organs. In addition, it takes time to adapt to the changes that have arisen. The optimal frequency for carrying out procedures is considered to be once every 2–3 days.

The benefits of pressotherapy

A full course of lymphatic drainage hardware procedures provides visible, lasting results in the treatment of certain diseases and the removal of aesthetic imperfections of the body. These results are confirmed by several clinical trials and reviews of patients who have completed a full cycle of sessions. The first positive results are noted after 3-4 sessions, and the effect is comparable to 30 hours of manual massage.

Thanks to active pressure on soft tissues during pressotherapy, the outflow of intercellular fluid and lymph from the extremities improves. The muscles relax, blood flow increases and microcirculation increases, thereby increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the structures of the body. Rhythmic compression of the limbs and waist using an airtight cuff produces a relaxing, tonic, lymphatic drainage, vasodilator, catabolic and trophostimulating effect.

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

Pressotherapy has a pronounced cosmetic effect. By removing excess fluid from the subcutaneous tissue, volumes are reduced and the skin becomes toned, forming a toned figure. Intensive treatment of the thighs and buttocks area allows you to get rid of cellulite.

A full course of therapy allows you to achieve the following results:

weight loss;
silhouette contouring;
treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome;
stress relief;
increased tone of vascular walls;
strengthening the immune system;
slowing down the aging process;
elimination of heaviness in the limbs;
prevention of thrombosis and varicose veins of the legs.

Pressotherapy reviews

Tamara

I was there for the first time today. I liked it, and then it became so easy, I first anointed my thighs with anti-cellulite oil, you may not believe it, but there was noticeably less cellulite on the thighs. In general, I liked it, but as for losing weight, this is not an option, you can only lose weight by actively playing sports and you don’t need to bother. But I rested and enjoyed it.

Lera

It helped me after giving birth. Skin tone has improved, excess fluid has gone away. And what I liked most was that it was painless. You lie down and read a magazine.

Irina

I went once…..I really liked it. My husband gives me a foot massage, but he is unable to warm up all the deep layers as well as this device. I can really feel my blood speeding up and pulsating. But in the fight against cellulite, this is very important - to remove stagnation. Yes, even with no other sport have my legs warmed up as much as with pressotherapy. I’m happy with the procedure, and besides, I have something to compare it with - I went to vacuum simulators - but the effectiveness cannot be compared with pressotherapy

How to combine with wrap

Lymphatic drainage procedures combine well with other cosmetic methods of weight loss and skin rejuvenation. Pressotherapy is often carried out together with various wraps. These two methods enhance the effect of each other - under pressure, due to improved blood circulation in the tissues, the penetration of nutrients into the depths of the skin is enhanced. A wrapping composition, for example, a mud mask with the addition of seaweed, is applied to problem areas of the body. Then a cosmetic film is applied over the applied mass, over which the cuffs from the pressotherapy apparatus are put on. Upon completion of the procedure, the composition is simply washed off the body.

Recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the procedure

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

drink enough clean water;
moisturize the skin daily;
take a contrast shower;
adhere to proper nutrition;
engage in moderate exercise.

Pressotherapy is one of the most effective salon procedures for body shaping. With its help, it is possible to achieve rapid positive changes in appearance, normalize the functioning of internal organs, and maintain health. Hardware massage allows you to achieve results in several sessions that are not always achieved even through the use of specialized medications and physical training.