Acute

An acute health condition is of short duration (for example: the flu, a sprained ankle), unlike a long-term chronic condition.

Chronic

A chronic health condition is of long duration, often life-time (for example: diabetes, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, chronic wounds), unlike a short-term acute condition.

Circulation

Movement of fluid throughout the body. The circulation system has three kinds of vessels:

• Arteries move blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
• Veins move blood back to the heart.
• Lymphatic channels drain extra fluid naturally made by cells.

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis. A blood clot in the veins, usually in the leg, that may cause serious medical problems.

Dynamic Compression

A compression strategy marked by pulsing, non-static movement. When dynamic compression is used, a pulsing motion continually moves the fluid out of the swollen limb. Its opposite is "static compression."

Lymphatic Channel

Tiny, hair-like channels throughout the body that provide passage for the lymph fluid naturally made in cells.

Lymphedema

Swelling in the arm, leg or other part of the body caused by the disruption of lymphatic channels. There are two types:

• Primary (congenital) lymphedema is a birth abnormality that appears in infancy, childhood, or later in life.
• Secondary (acquired) lymphedema occurs after surgery, radiation, trauma, or disease, developing immediately or even years afterwards.

Non-Healing Wounds & Ulcers

Wounds, sores, or openings in the skin that don't heal. May lead to cellulitis (skin infection) and amputation.

Non-Invasive

Non-invasive medical treatments do not penetrate the skin or body (e.g. leg braces or Pneumatic Compression Devices) unlike medications, injections, or surgeries.

Peripheral Vascular Condition

A medical condition of the circulation system affecting the arms or legs.

Peristaltic Pulse

A patented, dynamic compression strategy, exclusive to the NormaTec PCD, that mimics normal healthy physiology by using pulsing compression just like the body does when muscles contract and relax.

Pneumatic Compression Device (PCD)

A non-invasive medical device consisting of an air-compressing machine which connects to special garments (like boots or arm sleeves) which rhythmically inflate and deflate to encourage normal circulation. PCDs brands – and the medical results achieved with them – differ greatly according to their pneumatic waveform (the particular inflation-deflation pattern), and only the NormaTec PCD offers the Peristaltic Pulse pneumatic waveform.

Pneumatic Medicine

Pneumatic Medicine is the use of non-invasive, external dynamic compression to treat a variety of medical conditions including swollen limbs, venous insufficiency, non-healing wounds, lymphedema, and other circulation-related disorders.

The core component of Pneumatic Medicine is the use of the NormaTec PCD (Pneumatic Compression Device) with its patented Peristaltic Pulse pneumatic waveform. One or two multi-cell inflatable boots (or sleeves) are placed around the legs (or arms) and rhythmically inflated and deflated. Pneumatic Medicine treatments are easy, safe, painless, and done conveniently at home.

Pneumatic Waveform

The particular inflation-deflation pattern used by a Pneumatic Compression Device (PCD). PCDs brands – and the medical results achieved with them – differ greatly according to their pneumatic waveform, and only the NormaTec PCD offers the Peristaltic Pulse pneumatic waveform.

Static Compression

A compression strategy marked by no movement, like a compression stocking. The limb is simply squeezed and held, rather than experiencing the continuous movement of dynamic compression to move fluid out of the swollen limb.

Venous Insufficiency

Poor blood flow from the feet and legs to the heart, often causing varicose veins, swelling, and venous ulcers.