How active compression can improve your health by enhancing circulation
Lymphedema (LIM-fuh-DEE-muh) noun – a chronic condition in which fluids build up in soft body tissues due to damages or blocks in the lymph system, typically causing swelling in arms or legs.
If you are one of those people that browse the internet to figure out why you’ve been having a headache on your left temple and find that there are twenty three possible reasons – one of them being a brain tumor – only to be told by the doctor that it’s probably because you spent too much time in the sun last week, you may have also come across Lymphedema. On the off chance you haven’t though, that definition up there is what you would’ve come across – you’re welcome; but let’s do a little bit more of a deep dive shall we?
The functionality of the lymph system is to transport lymph – excess fluid drained from tissues and cells during nutrient exchange that isn’t reabsorbed into the capillaries – through the body and returns it to the bloodstream for the purpose of managing fluid levels in the body. This lymph system is made up of a network of lymph vessels and nodes and as lymph vessels are spread throughout the body – Lymphedema can technically occur in any part of the body, but majority of the cases seem to be in the lower limbs with the upper limbs coming in second.
Now that we are officially Lymphedema gurus, let’s talk treatment. The main goal of Lymphedema treatments is to improve lymph flow which will then in turn help reduce the swelling. There are lots of ways of getting this circulation going – massage therapy, compression garments and pneumatic pumps among some of the more popular methods. Although each of these techniques have their own advantages, there may be a few but’s that need to be considered.
Don’t get us wrong, we love a good massage but riddle us this – how many might be too many? Lymphedema patients need to meet professionals at least on a weekly basis (emphasis on at least as more is preferred) which may not always be possible or convenient. Static compression solutions like socks or sleeves are also an option to apply pressure to the affected area but may not necessarily help with the lymph circulation process as it cannot help with upward fluid flow. What lacks in static compression is made up for in active compression where muscle actions are artificially simulated, one example of this being pneumatic pumps. However, these sorts of devices are typically quite bulky, cost a ton of money, and are tethered so moving around? Not an option.
Keeping these factors in mind, the question to ask ourselves is – active compression seems pretty cool, but is it possible to make it more comfortable, affordable and accessible from home?
This is where Wavetec comes in; Wavetec has designed an active compression focused solution for Lymphedema treatment to enhance circulation health, but with the twist of making it more user friendly as opposed to the current existing devices. So how exactly does it work? The active compression device can be worn on the arms or the legs and has the ability to mimic pulse patterns as an external aid to circulate lymph back to the body. Cost-wise, this device will be priced at around $100 making it one of the most affordable compression devices out there. However, currently this is only available on a B2B basis but will be made B2C soon.
The recent global pandemic gave rise to a whole new era; an era where comfort is starting to take center stage and anything and everything is being made accessible from the safety of a home. So why should Lymphedema treatment be any different?
Bibliography
Compression Treatment for Lymphoedema. (2019, August 22). Retrieved from Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/lymphoedema-and- cancer/treating/compression
Lymphedema. (n.d.). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/lymphedema
Lymphedema Treatments. (2016, August 10). Retrieved from Breast Cancer: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema/treatments
Lymphoedema treatment and management. (2019, June). Retrieved from Cancer Council NSW: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/managing-cancer-side- effects/lymphoedema/treatment-and-management/
Technology Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wavetec: https://www.wavetecsolutions.com/technologyhttps://www.thehonestconsumer.com/blog/circular-fashion-and-sustainability