In the community rehabilitation center in the early morning, 65-year-old Aunt Zhang was skillfully using air compression leg massage boots for leg treatment. As the air pressure massage machine started quietly, the compression boots regularly inflated and contracted from bottom to top. "Before, I had to go to the hospital three times a week for barometry. Now, I can take care of varicose veins at home, which is much more convenient." " The "magic tool" she mentioned is precisely the home air compression leg massager that has become popular in recent years. Can this type of equipment truly replace medical physiotherapy? How should its technical principles and applicable boundaries be understood?

Air compression therapy: A "Blood Circulation Revolution" from Hospitals to Homes
Air compression technology simulates muscle contractions and applies pressure to the legs through periodic inflation and deflation, promoting venous blood return and alleviating edema. The medical field has long used it for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and postoperative rehabilitation. For example, the air compression massage machine in hospitals usually adopts a gradient pressure design, with the pressure decreasing step by step from the ankle to the thigh, precisely simulating the muscle pump effect when the human body walks. The home-use version of air compression leg massage boots simplifies the operation and achieves daily care through preset modes. It is particularly favored by people with varicose veins, those who stand for long periods, and those recovering after surgery.

Home vs. Medical: The "Watershed" between Pressure and Scenarios
Although the principles are similar, there are key differences between household and medical devices. Medical-grade equipment has a wider pressure range (up to 80-120 MMHG), and the treatment plan needs to be customized by the doctor based on the patient's condition. It is often used for postoperative rehabilitation or the treatment of severe venous insufficiency. The pressure of a household air compression leg massager is usually controlled at 40-60mmHg and is mainly used for daily health care, such as relieving leg soreness and swelling caused by prolonged sitting. In addition, medical equipment mostly adopts multi-chamber independent inflation, and the pressure control is more precise. The household models are mainly single-chamber or double-chamber, which have lower costs but weaker adaptability.

Applicable population and Risk Warning: Not a "panacea"
Experts caution that although leg compression boots are convenient, they are not suitable for everyone. Early-stage patients with varicose veins can improve their symptoms by using it for 15 to 20 minutes daily, but it should be contraindicated for those with severe ulcers, arteriosclerosis or skin infections. More importantly, household appliances cannot replace professional diagnosis. There have been patients who purchased items on their own but neglected regular check-ups, resulting in delayed treatment. The director of the vascular surgery department of a certain tertiary hospital pointed out that home care should be a supplement to the medical plan rather than a substitute.

Market Chaos and Purchasing Guide: How to Avoid the "IQ Tax"?
With the surging demand, a large number of low-priced pneumatic compression boots have emerged in the market, but their quality varies greatly. Consumers need to pay attention to three points: First, the certification standards. They should give priority to products that have passed the FDA or CE certification. The second is the pressure regulation function, which avoids the "one-size-fits-all" mode. The third is the breathability of the material, which prevents skin problems caused by long-term use. For example, the medical-grade home air compression leg massage boots developed by Xiamen Weiyou Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. have gained wide recognition in the field of postoperative rehabilitation due to the adoption of an intelligent pressure control system and medical-grade materials. In addition, the claimed "slimming legs" effect of some products lacks scientific basis. When making a purchase, medical use should be the primary consideration.

From hospitals to homes, air compression technology is redefining the scenario of lower limb care. For people with varicose veins, postoperative recovery and other conditions, household devices are convenient "health managers", but only by scientifically understanding their boundaries can technology truly enhance health.