The principle of veno-lymphatic compression therapy
Compression leads to restoration of a normal venous flow from distal regions (extremities of the limbs) to proximal regions (roots of the limbs).
Compression therapy also aims to optimise the action of the venous muscle pump in order to restore blood flow and the normal direction of venous blood flow on exertion (from the superficial to the deep venous network and from distal to proximal tissues).
The principle of compression is therefore based on application of extra-vascular pressure equal to the excess venous pressure in order to restore normal transmural pressure.
Thus, the more marked the high pressure – and hence the more severe the disease – the higher the level of compression applied needs to be.
In addition, compression must comply with the degressive gradient of haemostatic pressure that exists naturally from the foot to the thigh.