There are 8 different units on that page. One (the 6th one down) says:
Melody,

I don't know if this would work for Alan (I'd be interested to know if it would work for ME! ) My first thought was that they looked like the machines hospitals put on surgery patients to avoid/prevent DVT/PAD as well. I have some reservations about there being enough pressure (the massages we do on me are point-loaded via thumbs) to reduce edema. I don't know if these machines would stimulate or restrict circulation, or which is better for edema (you probably know better than I).

I spoze it would be helpful if there were some way you (Alan) could try one for a period of time. A call to the company might find that out. I don't know if these machines would be found in a PT office/practice.

Jes' brainstorming/spitballin' here... I get where you're coming from.

Doc

I'm surprised that no one has ever tried this for conditions other than lymphodema. Wouldn't it be amazing if one tried this and all their pins and needles and burning would go away?

I have to add though that because Alan is on Plavix and aspirin therapy and has black and blues all over the place that while I'm thinking about the possible benefit of this pump, that all the compressing would probably give him more black and blues than he already has.

I know him. He couldn't care less if using this caused any bruising. He would just want the pain to go away. 20 years of pins and needles.

I wonder if they will ever go away and he might get some relief.

Melody

Hi Dr. Smith.

I guess someday SOMEBODY has to be a guinea pig and do some experimenting. But I do know that I was told that when I massage Alan I have to be careful not to massage his calves because it might cause blood clots. His former nurse told me this. So I never do that. He just loves when I put the Homedics Massager up and down his lower spine. He says it feels like the G5 machine that his former chiropractic neurologist used on him.

When he came home from a treatment he was in heaven for some time. Too bad the guy moved to Minnesota.

Melody

Wow. That gives me even more reservations about something like these machines. I guess I'd put the questions to the doctor who is overseeing that part of Alan's conditions. I would think s/he'd know about these (and other) kinds of machines for treating circulatory problems.

Doc

When I had my TIA last year, they used the kind that prevented clotting, and it was fabulous! I wished I could take it home with me, because that was the best my legs had felt in a long time. The hubs has been looking for a cheap(er) one for me to use at home, but as of yet, they are out of our reach.

At first I didn't want to wear it, then I didn't want to take it off . The only complaint I had was that my legs would sweat at night (under the covers) when I wore them.

When I was in PT for my adductor injury, (thigh/groin ligament)
they taught me various isometric exercises to do in bed.
Contracting certain leg muscles, holding for a count of ten and relaxing, and repeat after counting to 30 or so. 10 reps and do twice or 3 times a day.

This moves the blood around and helps lymph return properly.
The muscles, then do not atrophy from disuse and the blood moves around preventing clots and improving circulation.

This is a similar process to having a machine do it for you.

Thanks so much Mrs.D. I'm telling Alan all about this as I type this post.

Will let you know if it helps him.

Much much appreciated.
Melody

That certainly sounds worthwhile trying. Any effect on PN (or different time frame)?

I tried poking around online for the exercises (many PT exercises can be found) but apparently I'm not figuring out the right search criteria.

Can you describe the exercises that we could try them, or maybe you have a pointer to a site where they're described?

Doc

These are similar to the relaxation type exercises. In fact if you do them in bed before you sleep, it will relax you too, a double whammy.

It is contracting various muscle groups... glutes, thighs, calves, etc one group at a time one leg at a time. I also flex my ankles.

I start with the feet and move up and end with the glutes.

There is another one where you lie on your back flat and slowly flex the leg and drag the heel toward you. It is like walking in bed.
Don't put alot of weight on the heel, or too light a pressure, but go for a moderate amount. This is movement without impact stress and also moves blood around.

I do these if I wake up in the night and find it difficult to get back to sleep. Many relaxation tapes, have this muscle contract/hold/release, as a beginning to various meditation exercises.