The leg massager glossary.
Every term that shows up on a QUINEAR product page, explained in plain English. Compression, pressure, heat, electrical stimulation and the safety words that matter before you buy.
Words that decide
what you buy.
Leg massagers are sold with a vocabulary borrowed from physiotherapy clinics, and that vocabulary is often used loosely. Two products can both say "air compression" and still feel completely different, because the number of chambers, the pressure ceiling and the way pressure moves through the sleeve are what actually shape the experience. The definitions below describe how these terms are used across the QUINEAR range, so you can read a specification list and know what each line is telling you. Nothing here is medical advice, and no consumer device in this collection is a treatment for a diagnosed condition. If a term on this page describes something your clinician has discussed with you, follow their guidance rather than a product page.
Twelve terms,
in plain words.
Air compression massage＋
A wearable sleeve with inflatable chambers that fill and release in a repeating pattern, creating a rhythmic squeezing sensation around a limb. Coverage depends on the sleeve: some wrap the calf only, others run from foot to thigh. Air compression is the technology behind most recovery boots and leg compression massagers.
Sequential compression＋
A specific pattern inside air compression where chambers inflate one after another, usually from the foot upwards, rather than all at once. The rolling motion is what most people describe as a "milking" or "wave" feeling. Not every air compression device is sequential, which is one reason two similar-looking products can feel so different.
mmHg (millimetres of mercury)＋
The unit used to express how much pressure a sleeve applies. A device rated to 120 mmHg can press harder than one rated to 80 mmHg. Consumer recovery devices sit well below the pressures used in clinical settings. Start on the lowest level that feels comfortable and work up, rather than buying purely on the highest number you can find.
EMS (electrical muscle stimulation)＋
A technology that sends small electrical pulses through electrode pads to make a muscle contract and release. EMS appears in some foot and targeted devices. It is a different mechanism from air compression: there is no inflating sleeve, and the sensation is a tingling or pulsing rather than a squeeze.
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)＋
Electrical pulses delivered at a different frequency and intensity from EMS, aimed at a tingling sensation rather than a muscle contraction. Many foot massagers offer both EMS and TENS modes, which is why you will often see the two acronyms printed together on the same box.
Compression boots＋
Full-leg air compression devices that look like tall, inflatable boots and wrap the foot, calf and thigh. They are usually the largest and most coverage-heavy option in a range, and they tend to be used in a seated or reclined position rather than while walking around.
Calf sleeve＋
A shorter air compression garment covering the lower leg only. Calf sleeves are lighter and quicker to put on than full boots, and they suit anyone whose main complaint sits below the knee or who wants something they can use at a desk.
Full-leg coverage＋
A device that wraps the foot, calf and thigh together, rather than the lower leg alone. Coverage is one of the most useful ways to compare two leg massagers, because it changes both the sensation and how long the device takes to fit and remove.
Heat therapy＋
Adjustable warmth built into the sleeve or pad, usually offered in a few levels. Heat changes how the device feels rather than how much pressure it applies, so a heated model is not automatically stronger than an unheated one. Heated and cordless models are often chosen for evening use.
Cordless vs mains power＋
Cordless models run on a rechargeable battery, which makes them easier to use away from a socket, on a sofa or while travelling. Mains-powered models never need charging but keep you within reach of an outlet. Battery models tend to weigh a little more because of the cell inside.
Session length and duty cycle＋
How long a device is designed to run in one sitting, and how long it should rest afterwards. Many consumer massagers run in timed cycles of around fifteen to thirty minutes and stop on their own. Follow the manual for your specific model rather than assuming a longer session is a better one.
Contraindication＋
A condition or circumstance in which a device should not be used without medical advice. For compression and electrical devices these commonly include suspected or known blood clots, vascular conditions, significant swelling, wounds, recent surgery, certain heart conditions and implanted devices such as pacemakers. Ask a qualified clinician before use if any of these apply to you.
Read a spec sheet
with confidence.
With these terms in hand, a product page becomes far easier to read. Decide first on coverage, then on whether you want heat, then on whether you need to use the device away from a socket. Pressure levels and chamber count come last, because the highest number is rarely the most comfortable one. If a specification still leaves you unsure, the live chat on this site reaches the store team directly, and the buying guides connect each of these terms to specific QUINEAR models.