Compression Therapy

Compression Therapy is a therapeutic technique that includes an air pump and inflatable auxiliary sleeves, gloves or boots in a system designed to improve venous circulation in the limbs of clients to eliminate swelling and metabolic waste. It is also used in medical model to treat Edema, DVT and Pulmonary Embolism.

In use, an inflatable jacket (sleeve, glove or boot) encloses the limb requiring treatment, and pressure lines are connected between the jacket and the air pump. When activated, the pump fills the air chambers of the jacket in order to pressurize the tissues in the limb, thereby forcing fluids, such as blood and lymph, out of the pressurized area. This is done in a sequential pattern, usually from the furthest point away from the core of the body to the closest (distal to proximal). Sequential compression devices (SCD) utilize sleeves with separated areas or pockets of inflation, which works to squeeze on the appendage in a “milking action.” The most distal areas will initially inflate, and the subsequent pockets will follow in the same manner.  A short time later, the pressure is reduced, allowing increased blood flow back into the limb.

ARC compression system’s pressure range is from 0-240 mmhg, (6 x that of a compression sock) and because there is medical research and proven benefits of sequential compression for recovery, we choose to have this available as our compression treatment.

The primary functional aim of the device “is to squeeze blood from the underlying deep veins, which, assuming that the valves are competent, will be displaced proximally.” When the inflatable sleeves deflate, the veins will replenish with blood. The intermittent compressions of the sleeves will ensure the movement of venous blood.