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A young athlete on a track securing leg compression equipment to his legs.

4 Powerful Remedies for Leg Swelling

August 19, 2024

Whether sudden or chronic, leg swelling can certainly change the way a person moves through their day. Remedies for leg swelling depend on severity and diagnostic results, but there are a variety of excellent options available in this day and age. From your basic gauze bandaging to advanced leg compression equipment, there’s an arsenal of powerful tools for treating swollen legs in 2024.

All that being said, you might still be curious about inciting factors for this condition. Before we address how to reduce swelling in the legs, what leads to leg swelling in the first place?

What Causes Leg Swelling?

Swelling (also known as “edema”) often occurs as a result of injury. You’ve probably sprained an ankle or jammed a finger at some point. Swelling is a common result of this type of injury. A less common cause of swelling that won’t go away is known as lymphedema.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a condition that must be diagnosed by a doctor. It is characterized by chronic swelling due to “tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that’s usually drained through the body’s lymphatic system” (Mayo Clinic).

Leg compression equipment may help with therapy for lymphedema, but the condition is chronic. While controlling the symptoms is usually possible, there is no known cure for the underlying issue (NHS).

A floral tattoo on the swollen leg of someone standing on the beach.

4 Remedies for Leg Swelling

No one wants to deal with painful leg swelling. Luckily, it’s a darn good time to be doing so if you have to. That’s because there are some seriously cutting-edge leg compression equipment and therapy options in the twenty-twenties. Here are four treatments that can be used to safely reduce swelling.

Compression Bandage Wraps

Traditional compression bandage wraps are a classic, first line of defense against ankle and leg swelling. Commonly used on the sidelines during heated matches and following twisted ankles or other sports injuries, compression bandaging is a go-to for sports medicine professionals in the spur of the moment.

Compression Socks

Next up in terms of simple and inexpensive treatment options, one might consider trying compression socks for leg swelling. Made of synthetic materials like spandex, compression socks help keep limb swelling to a minimum by restraining the muscles (Care-Med). This allows individuals to go about an exercise routine or their daily activities in general with less intense swelling in the affected leg.

Professional Leg Massage

A sports therapist massaging someone's calf muscle.

Are traditional bandages and compression socks not quite cutting it? Maybe you just want to skip straight to professional muscle manipulation. Whatever the case, a leg massage or lymphedema therapy massage ( aka “lymphatic drainage massage”) could be a great option for working out muscle swelling or lymphatic leg pain, respectively. Lymphatic therapists provide manual muscle manipulation in an affected area with the goal of alleviating lymphatic swelling. While doctors are still studying if lymphedema massages are effective against lymphedema (Cleveland Clinic), massages are, generally speaking, helpful for alleviating tension in muscle fibers and fascia that can cause visible swelling and discomfort.

Pneumatic Compression Recovery Systems

Kicking back in a recliner with Rapid Reboot boots on.

From active compression wraps to compression boots (aka leg pumps), pneumatic compression has come a very long way. The extraordinary benefits of compression boots have been a topic of interest in elite sports circles for years now.

These boots (also referred to as “leg pumps” or possibly “lymphedema pumps for legs”) systematically apply pressure to key parts of the legs to optimize lymphatic drainage and alleviate swelling. They have become an absolute necessity for countless long distance runners, dancers, soccer players, basketball players, and other high-performing individuals for preventing or treating muscle tension and/or leg swelling.

Is Leg Compression Equipment Effective for Lymphedema?

A 2014 study that used leg compression equipment for lymphedema therapy reported encouraging results. Researchers in the study saw a “permanent decrease of limb circumference and increased elasticity of tissues” with the most notable improvements showing up “in the calf above the ankle and mid-calf.”

Is Leg Compression Equipment Safe?

Absolutely! Rejuvenate You only uses top-of-the-line leg compression equipment, which is completely safe for the vast majority of individuals. Compression tools have come a long way in the last several decades. Today, they are incredibly safe and effective, both as a tool in lymphedema therapy and as a remedy for acute leg swelling. When you schedule your compression therapy with us, our doctor will go over your health information with you, answer any questions you may have, and then set you up in our leg compression equipment for a long and relaxing session!

Heart and Circulation Contraindications

As with any treatment, there are rare safety exceptions or instances where we cannot recommend the use of leg compression equipment (this is why our physician goes over medical histories prior to treatment).

Individuals with certain severe circulation problems or heart conditions should consult a medical professional before using leg compression equipment and seek alternative remedies for any leg swelling they may be experiencing.

Dr. Paula is always on site at Rejuvenate You during all business hours — so feel free to pop by or give us a call us any time to discuss your treatment options!

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