Pressotherapy: benefits and harms, contraindications, before and after photos

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.

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.

Indications for pressotherapy

There are many indications, because pressotherapy solves many problems:

varicose veins;
venous insufficiency;
reduced immunity;
chronic fatigue;
constant stress;
insomnia;
heavy sports training;
previous injuries;
recent surgical interventions;
suffered a stroke;
rehabilitation after liposuction;
swelling;
constant leg fatigue;
metabolic disorders at the cellular level;
cellulite;
loose skin;
excess body weight

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.

Can complications arise?

In order not to be afraid of the consequences, you need to choose a good clinic with positive reviews. A competent specialist will carry out the procedure so that no complications arise. There may be slight redness or slight swelling. They will go away on their own in a couple of days.

If the program is not configured correctly and the compression force is too strong, weak vessels may be damaged and hematomas may form. In this case, treatment is not required and everything goes away on its own within 5 days.

After pressotherapy, no rehabilitation is needed and immediately after the visit you can continue your normal rhythm of life.

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.

Pros and cons of pressotherapy

Positive results are usually noticeable immediately after the procedure. The effect achieved from a course of procedures is more pronounced and lasts up to six months. If you eat right and exercise at least minimally, for example, doing gymnastics in the morning, the results will last longer.

Why pressotherapy is useful:

the procedure is carried out easily, without pain and discomfort;
a person feels cheerfulness and a surge of strength;
swelling, and as a result, body volumes are reduced;
positive changes occur at the level of lymph and blood circulation;
toxins leave the body, immunity increases;
sessions can be performed by people who are contraindicated for ultrasound treatment, manual massage, electrophoresis;
the aging process of the skin slows down, its quality improves;
chronic fatigue goes away;
the risk of thrombosis is reduced;
there is no effect on internal organs, as when taking pharmaceuticals to remove excess fluid, the body does not lose useful substances;
no specific preparation required;
the cosmetologist chooses the regimen strictly individually for the best effect;
the technique is combined with mesotherapy, myostimulation, and cosmetic wraps;
You can influence not only the whole body, but also locally.

Pneumomassage has almost no downsides. Harm can be caused if an unqualified cosmetologist chooses the wrong program. There are only two side effects: diuretic and the likelihood of hematomas. If sessions are carried out in the presence of contraindications, then there may also be negative consequences. Therefore, you should first consult your doctor.

Important! The most dangerous thing is performing pressotherapy for oncology. Hardware massage stimulates the growth of malignant cells and disperses them throughout the body.

To avoid consequences, you need to carefully study the reputation of the clinic. The procedure should be carried out not just by a cosmetologist, but by a specialist with a medical education.

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.

Compatibility of pressotherapy with other types of massage and hardware procedures

For people who want to lose weight, but do not want to bother themselves with hard workouts in the gym, pressotherapy is perfect. However, this procedure does not help get rid of fat; it only removes excess fluid from the body. Therefore, the question arises as to whether compressed air massage will help deal with cellulite.

It is quite possible to get rid of the “orange peel” with the help of pressotherapy, since such a problem arises due to impaired blood flow due to local edema. The maximum effect can be achieved if you combine this procedure with a wrap or vacuum roller massage.

As mentioned above, pressotherapy is much more effective than classical massage, and the desired result can be achieved faster. Just one session using compressed air can replace 20 manual manipulations. However, in some cases, the patient may only be shown the second option, and this is determined solely by a specialist.

To achieve maximum effect, massage with compressed air can be supplemented with such procedures as:

Pressotherapy and cavitation.

These two manipulations are an excellent complement to each other. Using them together allows you to get a more tangible effect. They can be carried out either in combination or in turn.

Pressotherapy and myostimulation.

The compatibility of these procedures is excellent. By complementing each other, they allow you to achieve maximum effect. They can be used in combination. There is even a special course in the field of cosmetology, which is called “cavitation + myostimulation + pressotherapy.”

Infrared pressotherapy.

Another equally effective way to shape your figure is using infrared radiation. In this case, the complex of measures includes pressotherapy and procedures using “infrared pants”, which accelerate the breakdown of fat deposits and also have a positive effect on lymphatic and blood vessels.

Pressotherapy and wrapping.

As a rule, wraps are used in the fight against cellulite. It improves muscle and skin tone. As for complex use, in beauty salons, pressotherapy is often combined with wraps and vacuum massage.

Pressotherapy and LPG massage.

LPG massage and pressotherapy also have very good compatibility. However, in this case, the choice is made based on what result is planned to be obtained, as well as on the basis of the presence of contraindications.

Vacuum pressotherapy.

This procedure is a combination of pressotherapy and vacuum massage. Allows you to achieve long-term visible results, helps you quickly get rid of extra pounds.

Before doing any procedure, you must seek advice from a specialist. Only he will be able to select a suitable set of activities on an individual basis.

Everyone, regardless of gender and age, wants to have attractive shapes. It is unlikely that excess weight, cellulite, loose sagging skin, and fat deposits will add beauty and self-confidence. As a rule, in this case a person becomes dissatisfied with his own appearance. Some try to combat these phenomena with the help of fitness, sports and diets, but the results do not last long. In this case, digestive problems and muscle pain may also appear.

There are, of course, diets that do not have any side effects, but the results from them, as in the case of sports, appear after a long period of time, subject to careful adherence to the nutrition plan. Those who prefer to quickly get rid of extra pounds and maintain the effect as long as possible should give preference to pressotherapy, the price of which is quite affordable for everyone, and it is carried out by professionals in cosmetology clinics.

Nowadays, you no longer have to spend a lot of time performing complex and unpleasant procedures at home. It is much easier to seek help from real professionals - the Veronika Herba beauty and health center, equipped with effective and modern equipment.

Why clients choose Veronika Herba beauty and health center:

This is a beauty center where you can undergo a course of pressotherapy at a reasonable cost, and you will be treated not by an ordinary cosmetologist, but by one of the best specialists in Moscow. This is a completely different, higher level of service!
You can receive qualified help at any time convenient for you. The beauty center is open from 9:00 to 21:00, seven days a week. The main thing is to agree with your doctor in advance on the date and time of your appointment.

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.

Women's opinions

Reviews from doctors about pressotherapy are extremely positive. Doctors claim that this procedure is unique because it can heal the entire body. As for patients who have undergone such treatment, their opinions differ. Some claim that pressotherapy really helps you lose weight and prevents the appearance of edema.

According to women, the skin becomes more toned after the first session. During the course you can lose weight by an average of 3-5 kg. As for negative reviews, they can also be found. As practice shows, women who, while completing the course, continued to eat as before and did not exercise, remain dissatisfied with this procedure. These women managed to lose no more than 2.5 kg.

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.

Achieved effect from pressotherapy

Hands

Hand programs are aimed at stimulating lymph and blood flow. Thanks to the sessions, the volume is reduced and the skin is tightened. Long sleeve cuffs are used for massage.

Legs

Pressotherapy allows you to prevent varicose veins and treat them in the initial stages. It is prescribed for excess hip volume and swelling of the legs. Effective for even grade 3 cellulite and sagging skin. Strengthens blood vessels, increases their tone. After the procedure, your legs feel light and fatigue is relieved.

Body

The whole body program is effective for cellulite on the buttocks and excess fat deposits on the abdomen. Relieves puffiness, fatigue, improves skin appearance. It also has a powerful general therapeutic effect - it increases immunity, stress resistance, and removes toxins. This is the best way to relax and gain strength.

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.

Let's sum it up

What can you say in conclusion?

Choosing a device is a difficult task; it is important to understand why you need it. Relaxation – Smart and Relax, removal of swelling – Relax and Prior, all at once – Control.

The devices we talked about today are 4-chamber. The number of cameras in the LymphaNorm line was not chosen by chance by the manufacturer. This number of chambers in the cuffs, namely 4, optimally covers the areas necessary for massage and minimizes the number of “weakly worked” areas. Professional devices for pressotherapy, which are used in clinics, also have 4 cameras in the accessories. There are also 6 and 12 chamber devices, but we will talk about them in another article.

It is important to know how to use the devices correctly:

do not set the pressure too high
consult with a specialist
and the most important thing! Give a massage in a good mood

We wish you good health and extraordinary beauty!

See you soon!

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.

Patient reviews

Clients of beauty salons leave different reviews about pressotherapy, from positive to negative. Some claim that with the help of this procedure they were able to get rid of excess weight and acquire smooth, beautiful skin. They note that the course helped them find ease.

Others, on the contrary, say that nothing has changed after the course of procedures and regret the money spent. Some clients note such disadvantages of the procedure as strong compression of the body, as well as bruises after sessions.