Portable Sequential Compression

Maybe you travel a lot for business. Maybe you care for a parent in their home, or maybe you prefer not to be tied to one area of the house. If you have lymphedema and need sequential compression, a portable device may make it easier to complete your lymphedema therapy.

A 2005 study in 30 people with lymphedema published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery found that a portable sequential compression unit called the SCD Express was just as effective at removing lymphedema fluid as a larger, stationery unit.

Compression units are pricey, and even portable versions cost upward of $1000 or more. If portability is important to you, talk to your doctor about choosing sequential compression that can go with you wherever you go. People who use this type of medical therapy may need to complete three to four 2-hour sessions a day. Having the flexibility to carry the unit with you may help you comply with your doctor’s compression instructions more easily.

And if you’re traveling, don’t forget your lymphedema sleeves, compression sleeves, and compression stockings, as well as compression stocking aids.

For sequential compression devices, your doctor may recommend a brand like PresSion, Flexitouch, BioCompression, Wright Therapy, or Kendall. Both compression garments and compression pumps are medical devices, can be somewhat complicated to operate if you’re new to using them and may require assistance to learn how to use properly. It’s tempting to go with an off-name brand to save a few bucks, but your doctor made a recommendation for a tested product for your situation, so it’s advisable to follow the advice of someone familiar with your specific health situation.