Intermittent compression

Also called intermittent pneumatic compression. Treatment to relieve stasis (pooling) that is used when there is oedema. The affected limb, for example the leg, is enclosed by a sleeve with inflatable air chambers and pressure is applied by alternately inflating and deflating the chambers. This promotes the flow of blood and lymph in the right direction towards the heart and helps to reduce fluid accumulation (oedema) in the tissues. To be successful, this therapy must be applied regularly and often in combination with compression stockings.