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Presso Therapy

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Swelling and Fluid Retention

Lymphedema causes swelling and raises your risk of infection. It's an unfortunate and uncomfortable outcome of some surgeries, some treatments for cancer and other illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic venous insufficiency, and lipedema. All these conditions can cause lymphedema through swelling or block your lymphatic pathway.

Symptoms

Lymphedema manifests itself through such symptoms as: swelling in the extremities — such as the arms, legs, hands, or feet — which can affect mobility; swelling in other parts of the body, including the chest, breast, shoulder, face, and groin; pain and changes in sensation; a feeling of heaviness; difficulty fitting into clothing.

How does it work

Pressotherapy stimulates the body’s lymphatic system. When it’s functioning optimally, the lymphatic system transports lymph, a fluid that contains white blood cells to help fight infection. Pressotherapy is similar to a lymphatic drainage massage, but while massage is performed by hand, pressotherapy is administered by a machine that dispenses the correct amount of pressure every time. It uses an air pressure machine to inflate a suit that squeezes your arms, legs, or abdomen in a rhythmic motion, similar to a massage.

Who can benefit

Healthy Individuals

It can potentially slim the look of the arms and legs (because they carry less fluid), easing aches and pains, and detoxifying the body. It can reduce the appearance of cellulite and release fluid buildup in the lymph nodes.

Patients

Filariasis, which is infestation of the lymph nodes by a parasite carried by mosquitoes.
Cancer and cancer treatments that involve the removal of lymph nodes. For instance, lymphatic buildup affects around 20% of females who have had treatment for breast cancer.
Some types of vascular surgery, such as vein stripping.
Burn scar excision.
Lipectomy, a type of surgery to remove fat from the body.
Infection or trauma in the lymphatic system.
A buildup of fluid due to deep vein thrombosis.
Health conditions that affect blood flow to the extremities, such as the hands and feet.

How it can help

Potential benefits of pressotherapy include:

Relaxed muscles and fewer aches
Reduction in appearance of cellulite
Slimming effect
Reduction of swelling and stiffness in the limbs
Removal of toxins
Toned and firm skin
Stronger immune system