Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Compression therapy, which uses controlled pressure to increase blood flow in your legs and to your heart, has been in use for decades. There are lots of options for compression garments, but sometimes compression machines for home use are called upon to decrease leg swelling (lymphedema), reduce the pain that often accompanies it, and prevent blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These machines are also useful for post-surgery recovery, varicose veins, cramps, muscle fatigue, and knee and foot pain.
Leg compression machines vary in design and features and you should consult with your doctor to determine which models will offer you the optimum treatment for your condition. Some things to consider include:
Levels of compression are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), using the same scale used to measure blood pressure. Your doctor can work with you to determine the best compression level for your condition, so you can select the most beneficial device for your needs.
The garments attached to the leg compression machine pump vary in the area they cover. Some cover the whole leg, some extend from ankle to knee, and some cover the foot. Keep in mind that longer garments require more space to use them.
Closed cuffs could be too tight for you if your legs are larger, and they might not deliver enough compression if your legs are small. Hook-and-loop closures are usually used to provide adjustability to get a good fit.
Where you will be using the leg compression machine impacts what size will work best for you. If you are only going to be home, size isn’t an issue, since some of these devices take up a lot of room. But if you travel or plan to take the machine to use during your workday, you might want to consider a more compact design. There are a few models that work with a handheld control that doesn’t require a large motor.
Leg compression machines are used to treat:
Depending on your individual situation, you should have treatment at least once a week. Since it’s so much easier to have a therapeutic session with a device at home, you can use it up to an hour a day in total. This would amount to three 20-minute sessions throughout the day.
Yes, the compression therapy delivered by leg compression machines has been used for decades, and research backs up the fact that compression therapy has proven benefits in increasing circulation, moving fluids through the lymphatic system, and easing pain and discomfort from swelling.
The intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) of leg compression machines is delivered through inflatable sleeves worn on your legs. This treatment is also called sequential compression. Every 20 to 60 seconds, the sleeves inflate and then deflate via an air pump, stimulating circulation and providing the feeling of a leg massage.
This compression therapy helps the lymphatic system drain toxins and waste and reduces the chance of DVT. This is especially important when you’re unable to be active and maintain proper blood flow due to trauma, injury, recovery from surgery, or mobility limitations.
Insufficient circulation can lead to DVT, which can be fatal if a blood clot breaks loose in the leg and travels to the lungs or brain. Lymphedema causes leg pain and raises your chances of infection because the cells that fight infection get crowded out of the affected area and wounds might heal more slowly.
The benefits of compression therapy are well-documented, and any of the leg compression machines on our list will serve you well to increase circulation and decrease lymphedema and the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Without further ado, let's get to the list!
 | Intermittent Compression System with Leg Sleeves - Bio Arterial Plus by Bio Compression View Product |
Entering our list at number 5 is the all-inclusive Bio Arterial Plus Compression System from Bio Compression Systems.
The adjustable pressure and time cycle range are ideal for lymphedema and peripheral artery disease, delivering 120 mmHg of pressure to increase circulation in the legs. For most people, two or three treatment sessions for a total of an hour a day are very effective. The Bio Arterial Plus System delivers compression for 4 seconds followed by a resting period of 16 seconds. The pressure can be adjusted, and this system can be set for timed or continuous treatment. It is quick and easy to switch between its two cycles.
Its compact size makes this leg compression machine easy to transport and store, and it comes with two leg garments available in narrow, standard, or wide to fit almost any body type. The connectors between the garment and the motor are simple to attach for proper use and security.
With user-friendly controls, switches, and tube connections, this durable leg compression machine is covered by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty and the garments have a 1-year warranty.
For excessive foot and calf swelling, lymphedema, and peripheral artery disease, this high-quality system has many options to ensure you’ll find the size garment, level of pressure, and preferred timing to best fit your needs.
 | Pneumatic Compression Sequential Circulator with 8 Chambers by Bio Compression View Product |
The number 4 entry on our list is the 8-Chamber Bio Compression Sequential Circulator lymphedema pump from Bio Compression Systems, which applies sequential pressure to push the flow of lymph fluids back into the lymphatic system.
The gradient compression therapy applies progressive pressure to redirect fluid movement, reducing discomfort and pain that comes with fluid buildup caused by lymphedema. It can also be used to treat chronic venous stasis ulcers, venous insufficiency, and general swelling in the legs.
This lymphedema pump is very user-friendly, with easy-to-read controls and pressure gauges and a locking pressure adjustment knob for safety and security. Its hose connections are color-coded to ensure correct attachment and it’s easy to adjust the pressure with one knob. It delivers compression therapy through any of its 8 segregated pneumatic chambers. Pressure settings are adjustable and it has a variety of modes to create a customized experience.
This high-quality leg compression machine is built to last. If you are looking for a user-friendly, versatile device to relieve the symptoms and discomfort of lymphedema, this pump’s adjustability delivers a treatment option that will fit your individual needs.
The AIROS 6 Sequential Compression Device makes number 3 on our list because of its advanced technology and easy-to-use control panel to address lymphedema and other venous complications.
The AIROS 6, along with its compression garments, is suitable for use in both hospital and home settings. The treatment garments are constructed from durable and comfortable materials, ensuring reliable inflation and deflation over an extended period. The tubing within the compression garments directs air to each section of the unit in varying patterns, effectively promoting fluid movement and providing relief and healing at the extremities of the body.
The AIROS 6 offers a range of modes and settings, and each treatment garment is equipped with its own assistive technology. It's designed for easy operation, plugging into a standard electrical outlet and featuring a user-friendly control panel. It offers various treatment modes, including lymphedema preparation therapy (LPT) mode, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy, and fibrotic tissue tenderizing prior to main therapy.
With over 20 sizes available, these durable therapeutic aids cater to various body types and are engineered for repeated use. They are equipped with handles, O-ring zippers, and vacuum technology for ease of application and removal, making them suitable for basic and complex treatments on the arms or legs, regardless of body size or weight. The AIROS 6 Sequential Compression Device delivers cyclical pressure patterns to enhance blood flow and fluid drainage, ultimately reducing pain, swelling, and discomfort while promoting healthy fluid circulation in the upper and lower extremities.
The AIROS 8 Sequential Compression Device and Garments from Airos Medical has claimed the second spot on our list of the best leg compression machines.
Although it is often used in hospital settings, the AIROS 8 is perfect for home use as well to treat lymphatic fluid blockages by alleviating pressure and stimulating the internal movement of fluid. It has been recommended by vascular surgeons, lymphedema therapists, bariatric specialists, geriatric specialists, and physical therapists to treat swelling in the legs. This lymphedema pump allows you to adjust cycle times, pressure ranges, treatment times, and modes. Four chambers can be activated at the same time, and its built-in timer tracks total usage time.
The compression garments designed for use with the AIROS 8 can block air from filling a specified chamber to allow for regions that might not need pressure or to keep pressure off an ulcer or pressure sore. Using unique tube engineering, it has an additional mode designed to break up and move lymphatic fluid using controlled airflow. You can alternate the pressure in cyclical patterns to support increased circulation and healthy fluid movement.
Powered by a standard electrical outlet, this device has a large lighted LCD screen that is easy to see and use to designate your preferred settings. Modes include lymphedema preparation therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, intermittent pneumatic compression, and fibrotic tissue tenderizing.
Compatible with more than 20 garments, this lymphedema pump can accommodate users of every body type and is designed to be comfortable and easy to fit for anyone. It certainly is an industry leader.
If you have issues with edema and need flexible sizing and a long list of treatment garments to choose from for providing the best therapy for you, the AIROS 8 is a good choice. The garments are comfortable to wear and the myriad of choices means you’ll find a good fit. Being able to restrict compression in some areas during treatment to accommodate skin issues makes this an especially useful device for people who can benefit greatly from compression therapy but are wary of putting pressure on slow-healing skin wounds.
 | Sequential Compression Pump with Leg Sleeves and Wireless Remote by Vive Health View Product |
The number one spot on our list goes to the Sequential Compression Device - Leg Sleeves and Pump by Vive Health!
This machine’s sequential pressure improves lymphatic circulation with three timed presets of 10, 20, and 30-minute therapy sessions. From a gentle 33 mmHg to a much firmer 250 mmHg, this device offers a wide range of compression levels to help boost your circulation. You can choose to compress each chamber starting one at a time at the foot and ending at the thigh until the entire leg is compressed and then released, or you can compress two chambers at a time, cycling back and forth between the foot and calf then ankle and thigh.
The zippered leg cuff fits a thigh up to 75.36 inches around and 35.83 inches from thigh to foot. It also features 4-inch cuff extenders. The leg cuff is connected to the pump by a 5-foot-long air tube, which fills the four compression chambers. These chambers and the pressure are controlled via a wireless remote. The pump is powered by a standard electrical outlet, so it’s easy to get a leg massage anywhere to relieve leg pain from the foot to the thigh.
It’s easy to clean and can be used seated or lying down. It can be controlled via the buttons on the air pump or the remote. If you don’t fit the standard sizing model, the wide range of sizing options can comfortably accommodate you so you can utilize this multi-featured and easy-to-use system to combat swelling, aches, and pains in your legs.
The flexibility and multiple options of the Sequential Compression Device - Leg Sleeves and Pump put it at the top of our list of best leg compression machines. It delivers the most customizable user experience and allows for extra attention paid to skin ulcers, which can create serious issues for those with edema.
For more information on lymphedema pumps, leg compression machines, or any number of rehab-related products, please visit us at Caregiver University!
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
