Key Takeaway
For healthy adults, pressotherapy is very safe with minimal side effects. However, it is not suitable for people with blood clots (DVT), heart failure, active infections, or certain other conditions. When in doubt, check with your GP.
Common side effects (mild and temporary)
Most people experience no side effects at all. When they do occur, they're mild and short-lived:
- Temporary redness - The compression can leave temporary red marks where the chambers pressed against your skin. This fades within minutes.
- Tingling or pins and needles - A brief tingling sensation when the chambers deflate as blood flow rushes back. Normal and harmless.
- Warmth - Your legs may feel warm during and after a session due to improved circulation. This is actually a sign the device is working.
- Needing the toilet - Improved lymphatic drainage can mean you need to urinate more frequently after a session. Stay hydrated.
- Mild discomfort at high pressures - If you use too much pressure, especially when starting out. The fix is simple: turn it down.
Absolute contraindications
Do not use pressotherapy if you have any of the following conditions:
Do Not Use - Seek Medical Advice
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - Compression could dislodge a blood clot, potentially causing a pulmonary embolism. This is the most serious risk.
- Pulmonary embolism - Current or recent blood clot in the lungs.
- Acute heart failure - Increased venous return could overload a failing heart.
- Active infections or cellulitis - Compression could spread infection through the lymphatic system.
- Acute inflammation or thrombophlebitis - Active inflammation of the veins.
- Unstable fractures - Compression around broken bones could worsen the injury.
- Active cancer in the treatment area - Theoretical risk of spreading cancer cells through improved lymphatic flow (consult your oncologist).
Use with caution (consult your GP first)
Check With Your Doctor First
- Pregnancy - Not recommended without medical approval. Some clinics offer modified protocols for pregnant women, but always get clearance first.
- Severe varicose veins - Mild varicose veins are generally fine. Severe cases with skin changes or ulcers need medical guidance.
- Peripheral neuropathy - Reduced sensation means you may not feel if the pressure is too high.
- Hypertension (uncontrolled) - The change in blood flow could affect blood pressure. Well-controlled hypertension is usually fine.
- Skin conditions - Open wounds, severe eczema, or dermatitis in the treatment area. Wait until healed.
- Heart conditions - Any cardiovascular condition beyond simple hypertension should be discussed with your cardiologist.
- Taking blood thinners - Not necessarily a contraindication, but worth mentioning to your doctor.
Safety tips for home use
- Start low, go slow - Begin with the lowest pressure setting and shortest session time. Increase gradually over several days.
- Don't fall asleep - While tempting (many people find pressotherapy relaxing), stay awake so you can monitor how you feel.
- Stay hydrated - Drink water before and after your session. The improved lymphatic drainage means your body will be flushing out more waste.
- Stop if it hurts - Pressure should feel firm but never painful. Numbness, sharp pain, or persistent discomfort means the pressure is too high.
- Follow the timer - Sessions of 20-30 minutes are standard. Longer is not necessarily better, especially when starting out.
- Check your skin - After your first few sessions, inspect your skin for any unusual reactions. Minor redness is normal; bruising is not.
Frequently asked questions
Not recommended without explicit approval from your doctor or midwife. While some clinics offer modified pressotherapy for pregnant women (lower pressure, legs only), the risk of affecting blood pressure or blood flow means you should always get medical clearance first.
In healthy people, no. Pressotherapy actually improves blood flow and is used in hospitals to prevent blood clots. However, if you already have a blood clot (DVT), pressotherapy could dislodge it, which is dangerous. This is why existing DVT is an absolute contraindication.
Mild varicose veins are generally fine - pressotherapy may actually help by improving venous return. However, if you have severe varicose veins, skin changes, ulcers, or a history of blood clots in your varicose veins, consult your GP first. Use a lower pressure setting and monitor how your legs respond.