Pressotherapy is very well known in the aesthetic field, especially to treat cellulite or to lose weight. But it is a technique that has numerous advantages for athletes.

Pressotherapy is a treatment based on the exertion of a certain amount of pressure on the patient’s peripheral limbs, such as arms and legs and the abdominal area; applicators equiped with air chambers similar to leg braces, arm braces or abdominal straps are inflated sequentially, thus applying gradual pressure on the body. This compression is intermittent and starts from the extremities near the the affected area to the area itself, inflating and deflating in a cyclic manner.

A pressotherapy machine, is an electro-medical device used in the physiotherapy of athletes because it achieves excellent results.

Pressotherapy is used during the athlete’s passive rest, simulating an active recovery session. One of its advantages is that it can also be carried out outside specialised facilities. The professional machine can easily be transported by the physiotherapist to help with the patient’s needs on away sports events.

This therapy acts by simulating a manual massage and promoting the outflow of fluids with consequent relaxation of contracted muscles. This process helps to speed up the disposal of lactic acid following physical exertion. It also enables the body to withstand demanding workouts and important performances.

In addition, pressotherapy helps to treat problems such as oedema and lymphoedema and contributes to post-operative recovery. This therapy can be described as a manual lymph drainage since it acts on the fluid deposited in the interstitial spaces of the tissues, thus speeding up the elimination of oedema. The air pressure, meanwhile, exerts an intense massage on the muscles, without creating any inflammation. Pressotherapy is medically recommended for those suffering from water retention, those who are overweight or those who want to combat cellulite.

As already mentioned, the pressotherapy machine uses special applicators, i.e. inflatable leg, arm or abdominal bands. These are inflated by the machine in a sequential manner, initiating a mechanical wave massage, i.e. from the bottom upwards. This movement is faster in the inflating phase to increase pressure, and then reduces its speed in the emptying phase.

The treatment for this therapy is particularly recommended for the following pathologies:

• Lymphoedema
• Phlebedema
• The treatment of varicose veins
• Edema due to intense muscular activity
• Cellulitis
• The prevention of venous circulation thrombosis
• Disorders of the venous-lymphatic circulation.

• Accelerates recovery time
• Improves sports performance
• Reduces the risk of injury
• Fights muscle cramps
• Helps physical recovery after training

These benefits are achieved because inflammation is reduced by massage after physical activity, providing additional relaxation. It is important to know, however, that the positive effects of pressotherapy are only lasting if they are combined with a healthy lifestyle.

It is important to understand whether the patient has any pathology that makes this therapy unsuitable, such as the presence of varicose veins, diabetes, renal insufficiency, thrombosis.