A vasopneumatic compression is a form of treatment that uses external compression to treat medical conditions like swollen limbs or circulation disorders. Vasopneumatic compression is a form of physical therapy, also used in medicine, that reduces swelling or inflammation of the lower or upper extremities after an injury.

This process is done with a Vasopneumatic Compression Device (VCD). It is usually a sleeve or boot worn over the affected body part, mostly the arms and legs. These devices provide either static or dynamic compression to manage swollen limbs and issues with circulation.
Static, Dynamic + Vasopneumatic Compression
Static compressions are wraps or sleeves that you can wear on the affected area. They completely compress the area they cover. Unlike materials that provide dynamic compression, they only offer short-term relief. The pressure applied by this type of compression is slow and easy.Â
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On the other hand, athletes, physical therapists, and some medical practitioners prefer to use dynamic compression because it provides a more steady through pressure pneumatic compression that moves cold air or water around the area more efficiently. It involves more controlled intermittent pressure that inflates in compartments. Dynamic compression provides long-term recovery for people, especially after an injury or surgery.
What Are Vasopneumatic Devices?

Vasopneumatic devices are compression machines designed to pump air or cold water into an inflatable brace or wrap with various pressure compartments. An electrical pneumatic pump increases and reduces the particular section. You wear the device on an injured part of the body for a period — usually thirty minutes, four to five times a week.Â
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Vasopneumatic devices are useful during physical therapy to reduce swelling, provide pain relief, or further treat an injury. Depending on the type you’re using, you might need to elevate the affected area. The elevation keeps the affected area raised above the heart level to reduce swelling. Vasopneumatic compression devices (VCD) provide a solution for injuries, swelling, or swelling in a relaxing and painless way.
How Can Vasopneumatic Devices Help Athletes Recover?
1. Reduces Muscle Soreness and Fatigue
The muscles comprise specialized proteins and molecules which provide energy for contraction. The muscles are also surrounded by delicate tissue fibers called epimysium. When you exercise, it causes microscopic tears in these delicate tissue fibers.
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Athletes undergo rigorous training and exercises, putting the muscles at risk of soreness and fatigue. If the muscles do not go through recovery after too much movement, it may lead to serious damage. You can wrap vasopneumatic devices around the affected area to allow the muscles to recover and prevent further damage from happening. A simple session of about twenty minutes will go a long way in relieving the athlete of any muscle ache, soreness, or fatigue.Â
2. Stops Swelling of Feet
Swollen feet affect runners a lot. While some may experience it for a short, others may experience the swelling for longer. When these athletes run or do certain activities that require them to expend more energy, blood flow increases to deliver this energy to the muscles to promote movement.Â
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This increase in blood flow is what makes the feet or calves swell. Vasopneumatic devices are wrapped to allow leg recovery for athletes affected.
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It’s not just the feet of athletes that can be prone to swelling. The arms and hands can also swell after a long workout. This is because exercise increases blood flow to the heart and lung, which could reduce the flow in your hands, causing blood vessels to open wider, in turn causing the hand to swell.Â
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You don’t have to wear vasopneumatic devices more than once to see significant progress. It stops swelling of body parts from becoming a long-term problem. Â
3. It Improves Blood Circulation
These compression devices have a high pressure that allows blood flow to an area of less flow. Hence, it improves blood circulation. Good blood circulation is very important for athletes. This means that oxygen will flow to muscles easily and quickly, which will prevent you from getting tired easily. It will improve performance significantly.Â
4. Treating Injuries
There are so many reasons why an athlete can injure. One of them includes a lack of proper recovery. Constant training and use of body muscle and energy can cause the body to become injured. The use of vasopneumatic devices prevents this from happening by applying cold water to sore muscle areas.Â
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These devices are also used on athletes who are recovering from an injury. This enables them to go through their treatment in a painless and comforting way which will tremendously boost recovery.Â
5. It Provides a Means To Heal Without Pain
Soreness, ache, and fatigue will always be part of an athlete’s life, but they do not need to experience this much pain thanks to these compression devices. Also, this form of therapy quickens the recovery from injuries so athletes can get back to their lives.
Another important way vasopneumatic devices help athletes is by preventing them from being dependent on painkillers and medications. This treatment will improve performance and reduce the risk of further complications.Â
6. It is a Form of Rehabilitation
Vasopneumatic treatment is one of the steps to rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. It enables you to rest and recover painlessly until you are strong enough to be mobile.Â
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7. Essential For Older Athletes
Athletes and sports lovers who are past their prime find various vasopneumatic devices helpful in their recovery. They are more likely to have sprains, strains, fractured bones, or bruises at this age. All of these can be contained very easily.Â
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It is important to note that while vasopneumatic devices are very beneficial, you should not use them without consulting a professional. There are many factors to help you decide if you need it and the processes you need to follow. Some people, for example, are extremely sensitive to having cold materials placed over their skin for some time.Â
My Final Thoughts on Vasopneumatic Compression
Vasopneumatic compression devices are essential for an athlete’s recovery, and their use cannot be overemphasized. They are not just suited for athletes only but for people looking to recover from injury on any part of their limbs.
Thanks for reading along!Â
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