The pressure therapy boots are part of the equipment supplied with the so-called pressure therapy machines. These envelop the legs and feet and provide a compression massage using air cushions that inflate and deflate alternately. Their use allows the activation of venous and lymphatic circulation, leading to the stimulation of blood exchange and lymphatic reflux, as well as the drainage of toxins.

The pressotherapy boots are part of the equipment supplied with the so-called pressotherapy machines, a technological evolution in massage and manual lymphatic drainage. These machines in fact consist of a box and two sleeves – the pressure therapy boots – connected by a power cord.

Pressure therapy boots are made up of air chambers, connected over their entire length to plastic tubing. They slip onto the legs. Once the machine to which they are connected is started, it sends air which diffuses into the boots and causes them to inflate and deflate alternately, causing pressure on the legs and feet. and massages of different strengths, exercising from the ankles to the thighs.

The use of pressure therapy boots is indicated for:

• activate the venous circulation, the air circulation from bottom to top allowing blood to drain to the heart. This helps to eliminate edema, sensations of heavy legs and swollen feet, swelling as well as feelings of fatigue;
• prevent the formation of varicose veins and spider veins;
• activate lymphatic circulation, helping to increase the functions of waste disposal and fight against the accumulation of toxins by drainage;
• activate the areas where cellulite is lodged, helping to firm damaged tissues, reduce the orange peel appearance in the areas concerned and refine the silhouette;
• sustainably fight against water retention.

It is also aimed at athletes who want to speed up their recovery after exercise. Indeed, the muscles of athletes are often tense after intensive training or sports competition. The use of pressure therapy boots makes it possible to recover quickly and to fight against fatigue. Indeed, these promote blood circulation in the veins of the lower limbs after exercise, and thus prevent swelling and the sensations of heavy legs both by contributing to muscle healing and the healing of sprains and strains. elongations.

During a pressotherapy session, it is recommended to:

• lie comfortably on your back with your legs slightly elevated after putting on the pressure therapy boots;
• optionally, first apply a product in the form of a gel or a cream on the legs to act in synergy with the pneumatic drainage;
• program the device, using the remote control usually supplied with the boots, according to the desired effects (compression mode, pressure, inflation speed and rest time between 2 cycles);
• the program stops by itself at the end of the treatment.

It should be noted that the compression mode can be:

• sequential, that is to say that the air chambers are inflated one chamber at a time, one after the other. This mode is particularly suitable for combating water retention and treating cellulite;
• continuous, that is to say that the air chambers are inflated one after the other with the pressure maintained on all the compartments. This mode is suitable for the fight against venous insufficiency.

Some devices can practice both modes of compression to mimic the pressure of manual lymphatic drainage performed by a physical therapist with the fingers and palms of the hands.

Precautions for use

• clean the legs with a disinfectant cleaning product before using the boots;
• prepare the muscles by heating them by massage with a heating cream or even mint;
• for hygiene reasons, use disposable protective sleeves to wrap the legs;
• make sure that the boots are not too tight;
• limit the duration of sessions to 20-30 minutes maximum;
• balance the compression cycles with sufficient decompression times to allow the phenomenon of aspiration and avoid hyperemia;
• some boots may retain air after use, which may make them difficult to store. Better not to force so as not to damage them;
• store the boots in their box or storage bag after use.

Cons-indications

The use of pressure therapy boots is particularly contraindicated in the following cases:

• heart problems;
• respiratory disorders;
• vein thrombosis ;
• thrombophlébite ;
• acute pulmonary edema;
• renal failure ;
• diabetes;
• tuberculosis;
• untreated hypertension;
• pregnancy ;
• open untreated wounds.

Pressure therapy boots must be comfortable, adjustable, adjustable for all types of builds and easy to use. They should also preferably offer several massage modes with different intensities.

Some pressure therapy boots are:

• compartmentalized in length but also in width, thus multiplying the possibilities and finesse of the treatment accordingly;
• equipped with a zipper, a hook-and-loop closure or scratches, allowing the boots to be put on and adjusted without the help of a third person.