Is Lightning Compression a scam or a great buy?
Lightning Compression
Lightning Compression is an active compression leg wrap that compresses your legs in a wave action (graduated) or pulsatile (pulsing) action. The leg wraps contain a battery and when you select your desired level of pressure and type of motion, actively move to compress your calves. This helps with circulation in your veins, and can relieve aching legs and sports injuries. Compression in these leg wraps mimics normal muscle contractions, squeezing blood out and allowing fresh blood in with more oxygen for your aching leg muscles.
Total Cost Breakdown
The cost of Lightning Compression is $39.99 plus $6.99 shipping. The special TV offer allows you to receive a second Lightning Compression at the discounted price of only $19.99 for a total price of $66.97.
Price is from As Seen on TV Commercial page: lightningcompression.com
Features
- Pneumatic
Pneumatic devices use gas or pressurized air to push or move parts in the devices. It is most likely that pressurized air is what is used in these leg wraps. The wave or pulsating sensation is created when puffs of air are emitted into different parts of the wrap. This pressure within the wrap then puts pressure on your calves, stimulating blood flow.
- Wave Tech Compression
From the video in the manufacturer's advertisement, it appears that Wave Tech Compression is a compression pattern that begins near the ankles and waves upward toward the knees. This sensation of moving blood up toward the heart feels good and is good for lessening swelling, preventing blood clots, and reducing other problems like varicose veins.
- Charging Cord
The Lightning Compression comes with a charging cord. Battery life is 2.5 hours from a fully charged battery. A string bag for bringing your compression devices with you is also included.
- On/Off and Pattern Switch
The On / Off and Compression Pattern selection panel is right on the front of the Lightning Compression, located on the upper shin below the knee.
- Three Compression Settings
The product features Low, Medium, and High compression pressure settings. These range from 30 to 110mm Hg, a measurement of pressure that was originally based on the pressure in a column of mercury one millimeter high. This is also the unit that is used to measure blood pressure. Compression is always greatest in the bottom section of the wrap.
Pros
- Works in 15 Minutes
The manufacturer claims that your legs will feel better after 15 minutes of the air massaging action of the Lightning Compression. Whether you are relaxing or on the go, busy people can use these for a short time and still feel relief. Those who have aches and pains in their legs due to poor blood flow can use these and still do the next thing in their lives pretty quickly.
- Can Use at Rest
Compression bandages without the pneumatic system of the Lightning Compression only work when you are moving your muscles. On the other hand, Lightning Compression does the work and mimics muscle action. You can wear these leg compression braces while relaxing supine on a bed, sitting, or even standing. The feeling of the compression itself is relaxing.
- Take and Use Anywhere
The manufacturer mentions the portability of this device, and had added a string carrying bag to the whole order, so you can bring the Lightning Compression with you anywhere. Its advertisement features a person who has the leg wraps on in the car, suggesting that you could go somewhere, wrap your legs and turn on the pressure for a bit, and feel better. Then you can get to your appointment or whatever it is without leg pain.
Warnings
- May be Compression Lite
The individuals who really need leg compression are people who have weak vein tone and therefore their bodies have a hard time pushing blood back up to the heart. Legs can swell and can feel puffy. We who have varicose veins or are at risk of DVT, or deep vein thrombosis from a blood clot, are not the same individuals who will want to feel better after playing sports.
From the manufacturer's advertisement, featuring thin, sporty people, it is not clear if really the power of this device is not enough for those of us in a lot of pain. It is unclear whether the manufacturer is targeting a wide range of people with varying health conditions, or simply those who worked out and want a leg massage.
How It Works
Wrap your Lightning Compression around your calves and secure the side flaps, which appear to be attachable by Velcro. The control panel can be found right below your knee once the wrap is on your calf, and the on/off button is in the middle. Although it is not described specifically in the manufacturer's advertisement, it appears likely that you push additional times on the power button to raise the intensity of the pressure. On either side of the on/off button are buttons to select your compression pattern. A carat or up arrow indicates the wave pattern, and two dots indicate the pulsatile, or pulsing, pattern.
Air will begin to be pushed into the sacs on either side of the Lightning Compression. This air follows a sequence, one type of sequence being a wave action moving upward. The pressure of that air will be greater or lesser in different areas at different times, depending on the pattern you have chosen. Overall pressure will be greater or lesser based upon the air pressure level you have chosen. In sum, this is like a massage for the lower legs, and you choose how intense it is.
How it's Different from Competitors
The Lightning Compression is a little bit cheaper than most pneumatic leg compression devices. On the web, some cost hundreds of dollars, whereas others cost maybe twenty dollars more.
Some leg wraps look similar, such as one featured by Hammacher Schlemmer in blue. Others are known as pneumatic "garments" and appear as an uncouth sleeve for your arm or leg that the limb gets buried in. A separate air pump will pump air into this air-filled clothing to create pressure. In the Lightning Compression, it appears to all be contained within the device itself.
There is a product called Dr Physio that is similar, but appears to be a more flexible wrap. This wrap can go around thighs, calves, and arms. Dr Physio does not have wave action, but simply kneads the body part by inflating and deflating.
Of course, there are the regular leg wraps without any pneumatic compression at all. These can be worn when walking or playing sports to lessen swelling or the risk of blood clots.
Save Money
The offer featured by the manufacturer is a buy one, get one free deal. However, it only makes sense to sell two compression wraps together, one for each calf. A small amount of postage and handling is included for the second leg wrap.
Wise Advice
Do not buy Lightning Compression online before searching Amazon.
- Alternatives or the same items are always available and sometimes at lower prices.
Wise Advice
Do not buy Lightning Compression online before searching Amazon.
- Alternatives or the same items are always available and sometimes at lower prices.
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