How a pressotherapy machine works
Pressotherapy is typically performed in spas or wellness centers that may also offer facials, waxing, or

massage. A trained esthetician will perform the procedure. 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.

Here’s how the procedure works:

You will arrive at your appointment and be led to the pressotherapy chair or bed. You do not need to

remove your clothes. While you can learn how to give yourself an at-home lymphatic drainage massage,

pressotherapy should always be done in office with a trained practitioner.
The esthetician will help you get into the garment (which looks sort of like an astronaut’s space suit). This

can be wrapped around the legs, your midsection, arms or all three.
The garment has tubes on it that are hooked up to a computerized air pressure machine. The garment

will inflate with air and you will feel a squeezing sensation that should feel like pressure, not pain.
A typical session will last for 30 to 45 minutes. Your body may feel light afterward, and anecdotally, some

people feel they have to urinate right away, which could be due to the movement of water in the body.

You can get pressotherapy done as often as twice a week.

Pressotherapy, also known as lymphatic drainage, is a non-invasive treatment that involves the application

of air pressure - alternating between compression and decompression - on parts of the body.

What is pressotherapy?

Pressotherapy, also known as lymphatic drainage, is a non-invasive treatment that involves the application

of air pressure - alternating between compression and decompression - on parts of the body. This can help

to stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps to clear toxins from the body and stimulate blood circulation.

Pressure is applied with a specialised pressotherapy device. Pressotherapy has both cosmetic and medical uses.

Why is pressotherapy done?

Pressotherapy provides an alternative to manual lymphatic drainage, done with physical massage.

The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and necessary for our immune response. It is made

up of a network of lymphatic vessels which carries lymph fluid. Lymph fluid is made up of white blood cells,

fats and bacteria that build up throughout the body from digestion, for example. The lymphatic system

relies on our muscles and movements to drain this fluid. If someone has poor circulation or oedema,

for example, pressotherapy can help to drain this fluid.

Pressotherapy can treat various problems, including:

Lymphatic problems
Poor circulation
Fluid retention
Oedema (swollen legs)
Cellulite
Stretch marks
To prevent varicose veins
Before and after liposuction
Pressotherapy is not recommended for the following:

Pregnant women
Patients with heart or kidney failure
Blood pressure problems
People with varicose veins
Asthmatic people
People with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

What does pressotherapy consist of?

A machine controls the pressure of the pressotherapy device, which is worn around different limbs.

The machine will send a sequence of different air pressures to the device, switching between pressing

on a limb and then deflating. A pressotherapy session lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. For the best result,

usually a series of sessions are recommended, depending on your specific needs.