Compression Therapy | Benefits

What are the benefits of Compression Therapy?

Reduces inflammation and fluid collection
Helps to remove toxins such as lactic acid
Improves blood circulation
Relieves conditions such as heaviness in the legs
Helps to avoid the development of cellulite
Prevents and eliminates first-stage varicose
Strengthens loose skin caused by pregnancy or obesity

Lipedema | Causes & Symptoms | Management

What is Lipedema?

Lipedema is a chronic, progressive disorder that is characterized by an abnormal distribution of adipose tissue. This results in a disproportion between the extremities and the trunk. The disproportion is caused by a localized, symmetrical increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue, typically in the lower extremities, less common also in the upper extremities.

The 'classic' presentation of lipedema is a woman with a small upper body and a disproportionately fatty lower body where the fat is painful. However, there is usually more to it than that. There are also non-classical presentations, symptoms that only appear at certain 'stages' of disease 'progression' (as it turns out lipedema doesn’t really have stages or progression), and symptoms that are shared with other conditions.

What is the cause of lipedema?

There is no exhaustive research on lipoedema yet. One thing is certain though: This chronic disease is not caused by improper nutrition or excessive food intake. Experts presume a genetic predisposition as well as hormonal triggers.

Lipedema often starts during puberty. However, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, and menopause also seem to be triggered. In men, lipoedema-like changes have only been described in the context of hormonally active therapeutic agents, pronounced hormone imbalances (for example, hypogonadism), or liver cirrhosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of lipedema?

Considerable tissue enlargement, usually bilateral and symmetrical without involvement of the hands and feet. The pattern of affected areas may vary from patient to patient. It most commonly affects the legs, thighs, hips, and/or buttocks, but it can also affect the arms.
Pain and extreme sensitivity and tenderness to touch and pressure in the affected areas.
Swelling and feeling of heaviness in the affected limbs.
Limited mobility, and muscle weakness.
Cuffing or 'braceleting' at the ankles/wrists: The tissue enlargement stops abruptly at the ankles or wrists so that there is a “step” before the feet or hands which are usually unaffected.
In lower-limb lipedema, loss of the concave spaces on either side of the Achilles tendon.
Tendency to easily bruise. May occur anywhere in areas affected by lipedema without any apparent cause.
Altered skin appearance, temperature, and texture - Softer and cooler skin in comparison to unaffected areas, the texture of orange peel or with larger dimples.
Abnormal gait, limited mobility, and muscle weakness.
Stemmer’s sign is negative. This means that a fold of skin can be pinched and lifted up at the base of the second toe or at the base of the middle finger.

Lipedema management

Lipedema is a chronic condition that needs an individual holistic treatment approach focusing on the patient’s needs and enabling daily functioning. Thereby self-management is very important.

Important cornerstones of lipedema treatment are skin care and protection and compression therapy.

In addition, regular exercises, most suitable for each patient, have to be integrated into daily life.

Compression Therapy

What are the Benefits of Compression Therapy?

Compression Therapy brings big benefits for people whose treatment includes moving fluids in the legs, stimulating lymph drainage, and relieving pain and discomfort.

Here are the major benefits of the pneumatic compression devices:

Stimulating blood and fluid movement
Relieving pain
Preventing numbness
Providing consistent treatment
Ease of use
Non-invasive solution
Feels relaxing

Designed on the principles of manual lymph drainage, these garments treat the lower body including the entire trunk, abdomen, hips, and genital area.

Highly Recommended by Patients and Clinicians

The Center for Opinion Research (COR) at Franklin and Marshall College conducted a statistically-valid survey of patients who did Compression Therapy between 2017 and 2019. More than 800 patients participated in the survey.

According to the survey results:

94% would recommend the therapy to a patient with a similar condition.

88% say it is easy to use the leg pumps

85% say the therapy reduced discomfort.

83% say the therapy improved the condition of their legs.

76% say compression therapy has reduced pain in their legs.

As you can see, the number of people who would recommend Compression Therapy to others is an impressive 94%.

An overwhelming majority also say it’s easy to use, reduces their discomfort, improves the condition of their legs, and reduces their pain.