Pressotherapy: A Scientific Approach to Prevention and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Introduction

Pressotherapy (intermittent pneumatic compression) is a modern physiotherapeutic method based on apparatus-assisted lymphatic drainage massage using compressed air. Special cuffs alternately compress and relax body parts, stimulating lymphatic and blood circulation. The method affects the lymphatic and venous systems through cyclical tissue compression and possesses significant preventive and therapeutic potential in medicine, rehabilitation, and wellness practices.

Physiological Effects of Pressotherapy

The mechanism of pressotherapy action is based on comprehensive impact on various body systems:

Primary Physiological Effects:

• Enhancement of lymphatic drainage and venous outflow — activation of lymph and venous blood movement, improvement of drainage function

• Improvement of microcirculation — stimulation of capillary blood flow and metabolic processes in tissues

• Reduction of edema and inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α) — decrease of inflammatory processes at molecular level

• Activation of parasympathetic nervous system — promotes general relaxation and restorative processes

Systemic Effects:

• Systemic improvement of venous and lymphatic outflow — reduces edema, eliminates heaviness in extremities

• Relief of fatigue, enhancement of vitality and improvement of sleep

• Toxin elimination and tissue "unloading" through increased metabolic processes

Pressotherapy as a Prevention Tool

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, prevention is divided into three levels:

Primary Prevention — disease prevention in healthy individuals

Pressotherapy can prevent the development of:

• Lymphostasis and venous insufficiency

• Varicose veins in predisposed individuals

• Cellulite and metabolic disorders

• Psychosomatic disorders and consequences of physical inactivity

Secondary Prevention — stabilization of early disorders

Pressotherapy prevents the development of:

• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and chronic edema

• Microcirculation disorders

• Metabolic syndrome

• Vascular dysfunction in perimenopausal women

Tertiary Prevention — reduction of chronic condition complications (with caution)

Pressotherapy can be used:

• In chronic lymphostasis (stages I–II)

• For prevention of trophic ulcers

• For prevention of immobilization edema

Pressotherapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Scoliosis

Therapeutic Effects:

• Improves muscle nutrition and elasticity by stimulating microcirculation

• Relieves spasms and facilitates fluid removal, helping reduce swelling and increase overall comfort

• Used in combination with other physiotherapeutic techniques to maintain or restore mobility in patients with movement disorders — including people with limited activity

Osteoporosis

Application Features:

• Pressotherapy is not a method for treating bone mass loss, but helps alleviate accompanying manifestations — such as edema and microcirculation disorders

• In early stages, it can improve well-being through enhanced blood flow and lymphatic drainage

• In severe osteoporosis, medical consultation is mandatory due to increased tissue sensitivity to mechanical impacts

Degenerative and Inflammatory Rheumatological Diseases (osteoarthritis, arthritis)

Clinical Effects:

• May reduce pain syndrome through reflex muscle relaxation and improved tissue metabolism

• Promotes elimination of venous and lymphatic stasis, which is important in chronic inflammatory processes

• Slows progression of degenerative changes, helps preserve joint range of motion

• Properly selected pressotherapy courses showed positive dynamics in most patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid manifestations

Scientific Evidence of Effectiveness

Clinical effectiveness of pressotherapy is confirmed by multiple studies:

Prevention of thromboembolic complications:

• Kim NY et al. (2024). Systematic review and meta-analysis of intermittent pneumatic compression for prevention of deep vein thrombosis in surgical patients

• American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and ASH recommendations on venous thromboembolism prevention — IPC is recommended when anticoagulants are contraindicated

Clinical Studies:

• Dennis M et al. (2013). CLOTS 3 Trial: effectiveness of IPC in immobilized stroke patients (The Lancet)

• Lim W et al. (2015). Systematic review of IPC application for venous thromboembolism prevention

Application in Lymphology:

• Taradaj J et al. (2015). Effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in lymphatic disorders

• Jeyaretnam C et al. (2018). Comparison of different compression methods in lymphedema

Contraindications and Limitations

Absolute Contraindications:

• Deep vein thrombosis

• Oncological processes

• Acute inflammatory diseases

• Heart failure grade III

• Severe stages of osteoporosis (fracture risk)

• Exacerbation of inflammatory diseases

Relative Contraindications:

• Pregnancy

• Skin diseases in acute stage

• Arterial hypertension in decompensation stage

Important: Prior medical consultation and individual parameter selection for the procedure are always required.

Role in Complex Therapy and Rehabilitation

Pressotherapy is often used as part of comprehensive rehabilitation programs: together with drug therapy, therapeutic gymnastics, classical massage, and other physiotherapy procedures. This enhances the therapeutic effect, promotes faster recovery and improves quality of life in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Integration into Various Medical Fields:

• General medical practice — prevention of venous disorders

• Outpatient practice — supportive therapy for chronic conditions

• Spa practice — comprehensive health improvement and rehabilitation

• Wellness practices — preventive impact and quality of life improvement

Conclusion and LoreMeda Recommendations

Pressotherapy represents an effective method of primary and secondary prevention for a wide spectrum of diseases. The method is applicable in various medical fields and serves as an important complement to physical activity, dietary therapy, and primary treatment.

Key Advantages of the Method:

• Safety when properly applied

• Wide spectrum of indications

• Possibility of use in complex therapy

• Pronounced preventive effect

Indications for Application at LoreMeda:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (scoliosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, arthritis)

• Venous insufficiency and lymphatic disorders

• Prevention of thromboembolic complications

• Complex rehabilitation and wellness programs

LoreMeda Center ensures individual parameter selection for procedures, use of modern equipment, and professional monitoring of treatment effectiveness, which guarantees maximum safety and efficacy of pressotherapy application.

Material prepared based on the results of the LoreMeda International Seminar with participation of physicians and specialists from different countries.