Lymphatic drainage massage for varicose veins: features of implementation and contraindications

What is LPG massage

LPG massage is a procedure for influencing the skin with a special computerized device, the handpiece of which consists of several massage rollers. Moving in different directions, they form a fold of skin using vacuum and at the same time act on it mechanically, due to which the effectiveness of this procedure increases several times.

The founder of LPG massage is considered to be the famous French engineer Louis Paul Guitet, who more than 40 years ago developed a mechanical unit with rollers rotating in it.

Using preset programs, the device for such a massage independently sets the required intensity of impact on the epidermis, depending on its condition, the amount of subcutaneous fat and the desired goals. To get rid of cellulite, the intensity can be high, and for prevention, the device can have a mild relaxing effect.

Benefits of LPG massage

It’s no wonder that LPG massage is gaining more and more fans among both the fair sex and men. This effective procedure has a number of advantages:

1. Highly effective in the fight against cosmetic ailments: cellulite, swollen contours of the face and body, sagging skin, fat deposits on the body, wrinkles, stretch marks, etc. All this occurs due to impaired blood microcirculation as a result of compression of blood vessels and capillaries. Thanks to the deep effect of the LPG massager on the epidermis and the fat located under the skin, blood flow in problem areas improves and, as a result, healthy elasticity of the skin is restored.
2. Improving lymph circulation, which is the main supply of all organs and tissues in the human body. It is through the lymphatic system that all nutrients are transmitted, including those necessary for good skin condition. Thanks to this, not only the appearance, but also the general condition of the body improves.
3. Drainage effect. And because of the massage, metabolic processes are improved not only in the subcutaneous layer, but throughout the entire body, and tension is eliminated, which causes the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, which manifests itself in the form of edema. After just a few sessions of LPG massage, the outlines of the contour of the face and figure are noticeably visible precisely due to the “running away” of the existing excess fluid in the tissues.
4. Stimulating the body's production of elastin and collagen fibers, which becomes possible after improving metabolic processes in the body. Thus, the healing process starts from the inside, which makes the LPG massage procedure more effective compared to other cosmetic techniques.
5. Accelerating tissue regeneration. Lpg massage is not in vain recommended as a restorative remedy after burns or to eliminate scars. Thanks to improved blood circulation, injured tissues are restored more quickly, become more elastic and soft, and itching disappears.

Despite its high efficiency, the patient does not feel pain during the LPG massage procedure.

What is LPG

LPG massage is also called vacuum-roller massage, since the specific operation of the device used is aimed at capturing the skin with several rollers. The handpiece is controlled via a computer, where you can configure parameters to suit the individual characteristics of the patient. Different cases may require from 4 to 16 skin grabs per second, and the types of folds created by the rollers may also vary.

The method was named after the engineer who developed it, Louis Paul Guitet.

LPG massage is aimed at improving blood microcirculation in the treated area, relieving spasms, swelling and pain. Some sources indicate that the technique may also be useful in relation to varicose veins - it stimulates the elasticity of blood vessels, and also helps to tone their walls. Also, a full course of procedures allows you to strengthen the body as a whole, as a result of which it will be easier for it to overcome varicose veins.

LPG massage in cosmetology and medicine

LPG massage is now actively used in several areas. Cosmetologists use this procedure to get rid of orange peel or excess subcutaneous fat, stretch marks on the body, and contour modeling. It also helps fight age-related changes on the face and décolleté - sagging facial contours, jowls, wrinkles, bags under the eyes. Just a few procedures of LPG massage will have a noticeable effect on the eye, because it helps to enhance venous outflow and increase blood flow into the upper layers of the epidermis.

But the most important thing is that this technology has also found its application in medicine, because the LPG massager helps to tighten and strengthen muscles, while at the same time having a relaxing effect on them, restores healthy lymph circulation in the body, which has a positive effect on the appearance, condition of internal organs and the body's immune system. It is also used as a remedy for sciatica, injuries and sprains.

To achieve the maximum cosmetological and therapeutic effect, it is important to trust a true professional who not only knows the technology of using an LPG massager, but also knows how all processes in the body proceed, that is, he has a medical education.

Indications for LPG massage

The effect after an LPG massage session is noticeable immediately; it is not surprising that this procedure is recommended for cosmetic and even medical purposes. This massage is indicated in the following cases:

• loose and aging skin on the face, neck, décolleté, arms, legs, buttocks and abdomen;
• excess fat in problem areas;
• cellulite;
• swelling on the face and body;
• swollen contours of the face and figure, including after childbirth;
• problems with coordination and posture;
• radiculitis;
• flabbiness of muscles or excessive tension in them.

Quite often, LPG massage is recommended by doctors as a restorative remedy after injuries or burns. Thanks to the stimulation of blood and lymph, the LPG device allows you to quickly restore muscle tone, restore the natural functioning of internal organs, and normalize the functioning of the immune and nervous systems.

Due to the correct vacuum and mechanical effects of LPG massage, pain symptoms and swelling are effectively relieved. For this reason, it is also used in sports therapy.

Is it possible or not?

Initially, the LPG massage method was conceived as a means of body correction and nothing more, but subsequently the device used began to be improved, and clinics began to indicate other indications for the procedures. However, even in this case, the effectiveness of using the technique for varicose veins is questionable, since, in addition to relieving swelling, most sources do not mention any other therapeutic effect for this disease.

The difficulty of the decision is that there is quite a bit of information about LPG massage, and most of it is provided by clinics that tend to describe in detail all the advantages of the procedure and only briefly mention the disadvantages. What is also alarming is that the sources contradict each other: in some of them you can find varicose veins among the contraindications, while in others it is mentioned in direct indications.

In fact, the decision on the possibility of carrying out such an intervention in each specific case is determined solely by the attending physician based on the results of the examination and the individual characteristics of the patient. Of course, the clinic will not refuse a patient the procedure if there is no prescription, but if complications arise, he will only have himself to blame, and the treatment of varicose veins will be longer and more difficult.

LPG massage technique

Before LPG massage, the patient must undergo examination and diagnosis by the specialist who will perform the procedure. This is necessary to identify possible existing health problems, since for some this type of massage will be prohibited, to determine the characteristics of the figure, to establish its problem areas, the localization of fat deposits and, finally, to determine the required intensity and duration of the procedure.

After diagnosis, the patient puts on a special suit, lies on a massage table, and the specialist begins a massage, the duration of which is set individually. During the procedure, the massage therapist moves the manipulator over problem areas, crushing fat cells and modeling the contours of the face and figure.

Typically, the duration of one LPG massage session is from 25 to 45 minutes.

During the LPG massage, the specialist not only applies various movements of the rollers in the handpiece, but also selects the type of folds that the device will form during the procedure. The latter vary depending on the desired effect: reducing volume in certain areas of the body, restoring skin firmness and elasticity, or fighting cellulite and modeling the contours of the figure. Thanks to the correctly set operating program of the LPG massager, the maximum effect from such a procedure is achieved.

To achieve maximum effect, a course of LPG massage is recommended, consisting of at least 10 procedures. Although the duration of sessions is individual and depends on the general condition of the skin and body, metabolism, lifestyle and nutrition.

To prolong the effect of the procedure, it is recommended to repeat the massage course twice a year, monitor your diet, and do not forget about an active lifestyle.

How is massage useful for varicose veins?

Massage reduces the severity of symptoms of pathology, improves the patient’s well-being and performs the following functions:

• normalizes blood circulation and lymph flow;
• strengthens muscles;
• reduces swelling;
• restores the functions of venous valves;
• increases the elasticity of vascular walls;
• eliminates congestion.

The procedure can be performed independently - it serves as an effective prevention of the disease. The movements are performed carefully, from bottom to top, so that no pain occurs. Duration – 15-20 minutes, frequency – once every 2-3 days. Dry massage with a brush is also useful for varicose veins; the basic conditions are similar - accuracy, as well as the absence of serious discomfort. Impact on areas with altered veins should be excluded - manipulations are performed only on healthy areas.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, you must contact an experienced massage therapist - any unprofessional actions can cause harm.

Contraindications for LPG massage

Despite the proven effectiveness of LPG massage, this procedure has a number of contraindications, in the presence of which this type of massage can lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases or cause irreversible consequences. Thus, LPG massage is prohibited in the following cases:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• the presence of any neoplasms;
• chronic diseases of internal organs;
• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• infectious skin diseases;
• nervous system disorders;
• inflammation in the lymph nodes;
• the presence of wounds in the treated areas;
• predisposition to thrombophlebitis.

To exclude possible health complications, doctors do not recommend LPG massage sessions in the presence of any disease, even a common cold, especially if it is accompanied by fever, as well as during menstrual periods in women. The procedure involves an intense effect on the skin and body, which, due to inflammatory processes or hormonal changes, can lead to changes in the state of the body.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, are a problem for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or those who are exposed to severe physical activity. It is accompanied by pain, swelling, and constant fatigue of the lower extremities. The pathology progresses rapidly and therefore leads to serious complications.

The mechanism of development of varicose veins is associated with deterioration of blood circulation, weakening of venous walls and valves. Legs affected by the disease look unattractive - swollen, with bulging veins, pronounced vascular network. Varicose veins lead to serious complications - trophic ulcers, increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding.

How does the procedure work?

Those who have been prescribed an LPG massage and who are going for a session for the first time need to know what to expect from it in order to feel confident. First, the patient will need to undergo a consultation with a practitioner so that he can determine all the characteristics of the body and select the appropriate treatment regimen.

Immediately before the procedure begins, the patient undresses completely and puts on a special suit for LPG massage. This clothing allows for better contact of the device with the skin, since there will be no ordinary underwear on the body, and also maintains the hygiene of the process, since the handpiece will be in direct contact only with thin fabric. In addition, there will be no pain, and the skin will not stretch unnecessarily. To indicate the areas in which the massage will be performed, the specialist applies graphic marks to the suit.

After this, the patient lies down on the couch, and the massage therapist begins to move the manipulator over the marked area. Several rollers of the device move in different directions, capturing and releasing skin folds. In this case, the specialist may ask the patient to raise or bend the leg to create a load on the limb and increase the effectiveness of the effect.

On average, the procedure lasts 45 minutes, after which the patient changes into his usual clothes and goes home. In each case, the duration and frequency of the therapeutic course is determined individually, but most often it is recommended from 12 to 17 procedures over two months and then 1 procedure per month, unless otherwise advised by the doctor. As a rule, visible results begin to appear after 6-7 sessions.

What happens to the skin during and after LPG massage

Already at the moment the LPG massage device is drawn into the handle by a vacuum, the flow of lymph and blood accelerates in all layers of the skin. The pressure of the rotating rollers helps soften the subcutaneous fat tissue, eliminate swelling and tightness. The intercellular fluid becomes less viscous. All this improves the conditions for metabolism.

During LPG massage, many adipocytes die. The remains of their membranes are destroyed by macrophages. To fill the vacated space, fibroblasts “switch on at full capacity” the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, elastin fibers and collagen. The elasticity of the supporting framework of the skin increases, the quality of the intercellular matrix (a complex set of interconnected macromolecules that surrounds cells and affects their attachment, development, proliferation, organization and metabolism) improves.

By receiving more oxygen, vitamins, microelements and nutrients, tissue cells begin to renew themselves faster. Since regeneration processes require large amounts of energy, fat is actively broken down in the treated areas.

Due to the acceleration of metabolic processes and the cleansing of the intercellular space from waste and toxins, the skin color becomes fresh.

Cost of procedures

Prices for LPG massage in general are practically the same in different regions, but it should be taken into account that each clinic makes its own markup and may provide additional discounts or certificates. Typically, the full payment for the entire course when converted is lower than the single cost of a session.

In most cases, the price is determined for the entire procedure, but sometimes the price is indicated by the time spent on the session. On average, an LPG massage costs from 1000 to 2000 rubles, and a subscription for a full course can cost from 10 to 20 thousand. The highest prices are usually in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

LPG massage is extremely rarely prescribed by doctors as an addition to the treatment of varicose veins. Even if a specialist performs the procedure carefully and correctly, complications may occur. Do not forget that after the sessions, even greater swelling of the treated area is possible, which can increase pain and other symptoms of pathology.

In general, the technique can be used to improve the condition of varicose veins, but this can only be done in the early stages of the development of the disease. At the same time, the patient should not count on a clear effect, since the method is still more aimed at body correction. As an alternative, you can give preference to manual or lymphatic drainage techniques, and to relieve symptoms, use gymnastics or external products - creams, gels or ointments.