Author: Oluwatosin I., Biomedical Scientist and Medical Writer
Reviewed by: Dr. Jeoff Drobot
It took Nate a while to figure out what his friends meant whenever they talked about getting a “special” kind of massage done. He wondered if any massage was so special, considering they were all basically the same. But with their constant claims of better sleep quality, feeling more energetic, and even smoother skin, he eventually tagged along with them to give it a try.
Nate had never heard of lymphatic drainage therapy or FLOWpresso before that day, and the entire process amazed him. He couldn’t stop talking about the special massage afterward, but what was so exciting about it?
What Are Lymphatic Drainage Therapies?
Referring to this therapy as a special massage is pretty accurate. That’s precisely what lymphatic drainage therapies are. These specialized medical massages encourage the proper flow of lymph fluid, which helps reduce swelling and boost immunity.
The technique dates back to the 1930s when lymphatic therapy was used to treat patients suffering from severe colds and a few immune disorders. While observing these patients, the doctors noticed they all had swollen lymph nodes, building a unique connection between lymph nodes and the immune system.
There are three lymphatic drainage methods: simple, manual, and mechanical. While you can do simple lymphatic drainage on your own, manual lymphatic drainage requires a specialist, and the mechanical one needs special biomedical devices.
Compression therapy is a key mechanism of the devices used for mechanical lymphatic drainage, and that’s where FLOWpresso comes in.
Introducing FLOWpresso® Technology
FLOWpresso® system is a technology created in New Zealand and designed by lymphatic specialists. The device is currently under submission to FDA. It delivers a 3-in-1 sensory treatment for deep relaxation and enhancing physical and mental wellbeing.
The technology is used by professionals in some health clinics worldwide. Among which are the Dr. Drobot clinics in Northern America.
The beauty of the FLOWpresso is that it is both a manual and mechanical lymphatic drainage therapy. It involves a cyclical compression bodysuit, which has about 22 air compression chambers that inflate and deflate sequentially with the help of a specialist [1].
It is believed to stimulate and decongest the body’s lymphatic system, which is responsible for creating physiological balance by draining excess fluid, enhancing immunity by filtering out bacteria and other pathogens from the blood and removing waste generated by the body’s cellular activities.
How The FLOWpresso Works
The lymphatic system gets congested sometimes as it filters waste, toxins, and bacteria. That’s why stimulating its flow manually has a lot of benefits.
The FLOWpresso helps get rid of toxins in the body through a three-in-one non-invasive method involving compression, far-infrared heat, and deep pressure.
Compression is achieved by the inflation and deflation of the cyclical compression bodysuit. It works by applying gentle pressure on areas of the body to improve the circulation of blood and lymphatics [2].
Far infrared heat is similar to what you have in saunas. This heat seeps directly into the skin and warms the body from the inside. It aids relaxation, blood flow, and better sleep quality and even helps to relieve chronic pain [3].
Deep pressure is similar to compression therapy but feels like you’re being given a warm hug. This has proven to be beneficial in calming anxiety and aiding relaxation.
All FLOWpresso mechanisms are directed towards relaxing the body. Achieving this switches the body from the stress-induced sympathetic state to a parasympathetic state of calm that enhances lymphatic drainage [4].
Who Needs The FLOWpresso Therapy?
Almost anyone can benefit from the FLOWpresso therapy. However, it is not recommended if you’re pregnant or have one or more of these medical conditions:
That said, FLOWpresso may be specifically recommended for those who have had surgery or other conditions that have led to a fluid build-up in their bodies known as lymphedema [5].
Recently, more types of FLOWpresso therapy have gained popularity and have switched from conventional use. Some of them include facial lymphatic drainage as a part of their beauty regimen and massage therapy for cellulite.
What You Benefit From FLOWpresso
Getting the body to relax and recover is beneficial in many ways. As such, you stand to gain a lot from FLOWpresso therapy. It has even been recommended to have this procedure done twice a week.
If you are looking for FLOWpresso nearby, These are some of the things you can expect to gain from your first therapy sessions:
As long as you don’t have any of the earlier mentioned medical conditions, this procedure is relatively safe. You may only need to consider the possibility of irritation from the bodysuit, and sometimes muscle pain may occur from high pressure.
Conclusion
Back to my friend, Nate. With the immediate benefits of FLOWpresso lymphatic therapy, particularly with relaxation, Nate’s excitement is quite valid. The procedure is centered around letting the body thoroughly heal up, and those who undergo the therapy immediately feel reinvigorated.
The processes involved in FLOWpresso therapy are perfect for relieving stress and anxiety, and the side effects are also minimal.
Considering some possible individual health challenges, few clinics like ours can help you with pretherapy consultation, so we can assure you’re clear before undergoing the therapy.
Reference:
[1]. https://www.FLOWpresso.co.nz/what-is-FLOWpresso
[2]. https://www.webmd.com/dvt/benefits-of-compression-therapy
[3]. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/86319
[4]. https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201425257248775.page
[5]. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-020-00928-1
[6]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551392/
[7]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4603726/
