What is compression therapy?

Medical compression therapy applies a type of elastic device on limbs or other body parts to exert a controlled pressure on them. Thereby, the device squeezes the vein walls together and improves the circulatory rate. Medical compression also helps with reduction of edema and recreates conditions beneficial for the healing of chronic inflammatory disorders.

What is medical compression therapy?

Medical compression therapy consists of applying a type of elastic device, mainly on the limbs, to exert a controlled pressure on them. By compressing the limbs or other body regions, the medical compression device squeezes the vein walls together, thereby improving overall circulation and supporting blood flow back towards the heart.

In addition, it helps to reduce swelling and formation of edema in edematous tissues by reducing the capillary leakage into the tissue and supports the lymphatic drainage of interstitial fluid. Medical compression provides significant relief of leg aching, pain, the feeling of swelling and heaviness, and other venous and lymphatic symptoms.

Effect on blood circulation

The controlled pressure exerted by medical compression stockings reduces the diameter of major veins, thereby increasing the velocity and volume of blood flow. Consequently, medical compression improves blood transport from the extremities towards the heart, reduces blood reflux and stagnation, and provides better drainage of the deep venous system, which all helps to increase and therefore improve the circulatory rate.

Effect on edematous tissue

Under medical compression, the balance in blood exchange is improved by reducing capillary leakage of fluid in the interstitial tissue. This leads to a better reduction of edema. A beneficial massaging effect of certain medical compression textiles, leading to a softening of hardened or fibrotic tissue, has been reported.

In addition, medical compression recreates conditions beneficial for the healing of chronic inflammatory disorders (e.g. cellulitis, erysipelas, venous leg ulcers, etc.), through reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels and higher levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Also, improved skin microcirculation has been reported.

Basically, the greater the compression level, or compression strength, the tighter the compression stocking. These levels are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It’s the same scale used to take your blood pressure.

Compression levels explained

What medical issues are the various compression levels used for? These are general guidelines. The severity of a certain issue will help determine the level needed.

15-20 mmHg

  • Slightly more support, offering day-to-day relief from achy, heavy, slightly swollen legs
  • Extra support on busy, active days, or when traveling
  • An aid for enhanced circulation, especially in the legs
  • During pregnancy, they can help prevent varicose and spider veins

20-30 mmHg

  • The most commonly prescribed compression level by doctors
  • Used to help a variety of minor to moderate medical conditions
  • Used to help chronically painful, heavily fatigued legs
  • Helpful in the treatment of varicose veins
  • Relief from the swelling associated with mild edema
  • Used in combination with elective surgical procedures such as sclerotherapy and phlebectomy
  • Used to help treat orthostatic/postural hypotension, a form of low blood pressure

30-40 mmHg

  • Relief from moderate and severe edema and lymphedema
  • Helps prevent and relieve more serious cases of varicose veins
  • Used in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and post thrombotic syndrome
  • Can help heal active venous stasis ulcers
  • Used after bone fractures and orthopedic surgeries
  • Used to treat phlebitis
  • Used in treating skin changes with healed ulceration