AIROGYM DVT CUSION THE FIRST STEP IN COMBATTING DVT

DVT is still a concern, and with the holiday season coming up, do passengers really know if they are at risk, and what they can do to minimise this risk?

Emma Christopherson brought DVT to our thoughts in 2000 when she collapsed at Heathrow Airport after a DVT caused by a long-haul flight. We now know that are at risk of this disease on long flights or if we remain seated for long periods, but do we know who is at higher risk? What I find concerning", comments Amanda Richards of Airogym.com is just how many of us are at risk. For example women are at higher risk if they are over 50, on the pill, smoke, pregnant, overweight or on HRT -- that doesnt leave many."

Also worrying" continues Miss Richards, are the misconceptions people have. Many assume you are not at risk if you are fit, when in fact the opposite could be true. People who are athletic account for ten times more victims than any other risk factor. This could be due to a lower pulse rate; also they are likely to have bruises or sore muscles, which could trigger clotting. Recent bruising or injury is a well-established risk factor, all the more reason for passengers to remain in their seats on flights or coach journeys."

So what does one do about it? It is potentially dangerous to exercise in the aisles of aircraft -- hardly a suitable gym -- as unexpected turbulence could lead to bruising or more serious injury, and doctors have commented that just wiggling your feet in your seat could be relatively ineffective. A retired BA Captain of 33 years has designed and developed the solution, launched last year as the Airogym DVT Cushion, a medically tested device heralded as a breakthrough in reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT. Emirates Airline was the first airline to give its backing to this product by distributing Airogym DVT Cushions to all of its passengers on long haul flights. Now the big stores are backing the Airogym DVT Cushion by making it available to customers on the High Street.

The Airogym DVT Cushion, a simple to use, handbag sized inflatable cushion, was clinically trialled by Mr. John Scurr, consultant vascular surgeon at the Middlesex and University College Hospitals, London. It was proven to increase the flow of blood through the deep veins by up to five times (peak velocity), preventing venous stasis and as such, reducing the risk of blood clots and ankle swelling.

The beauty of the Airogym is that its simple, discreet and allows you to effectively exercise your leg muscles in the safety and comfort of your own seat." Says Miss Richards. We all know how difficult it can be to get out of your seat if you are in the window or middle seat, it also disturbs sleeping passengers. With this ingenious device the problems are solved, and you can exercise whilst eating or watching the film."

The use of the Airogym can not only prove beneficial to aircraft passengers, it can also be of benefit to office workers, the elderly, coach, car or train passengers -- in fact any job, hobby or task that requires you to be seated for long periods of time. Ann Wooldridge MCSP SRP has tested Airogym and now regularly employs the device during the treatment of elderly and less mobile patients. Designed and developed by a senior long haul flight captain, the benefits of this simple, inflatable device are not exclusive to travellers. The potential of DVT problems in the elderly, the less mobile and the other 'at risk patients has recently been highlighted" Ann Wooldridge concludes; this small, effective and reasonably priced product, is a useful tool in our armoury of preventive medicine."

The Airogym DVT cushion, developed and marketed by Airogym.com is the leading name in DVT exercise devices.

Available at www.airogym.com Scholl Retail, and selected Debenhams, Moss Pharmacy, Lunn Poly

For further press information please contact Amanda Richards at amanda@airogym.com            T: 020 8248 5067
For customer services please call 01304 614650

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Note to Editors
Photographs are available to all media from Amanda Richards at amanda@airogym.com

Further quotes attached from;
Amanda Richards, Director of Airogym.com.
Mr John Scurr, consultant vascular surgeon at the Middlesex and University College Hospitals, London
Dr. Ian Perry (represents IAOPA as a Consultant in Aviation Medicine on the Medical Subcommittee of the Joint Aviation Authority)

AIROGYM -- FURTHER QUOTES

Amanda Richards, Director of Airogym.com

The Airogym has been designed and developed by a former BA captain and long haul pilot of 33 years. It was designed specifically to address the two common problems currently associated with long-haul flying, ankle swelling and blood clotting. Passengers are currently being advised by many airlines and medical advisors to walk about the cabin as much as they can. In reality this can be difficult as 400 people exercising at the same time on a 747 obviously creates another set of problems; interference with cabin crew, disturbance for other passengers but mainly the safety concern in the event of unexpected turbulence. The beauty of the Airogym is that its simple, discreet and allows you to exercise your leg muscles, effectively and quietly in the safety and comfort of your own seat. Not only is it essential for long haul flights but I use mine at my desk every day."

Mr John Scurr, consultant vascular surgeon at the Middlesex and University College Hospitals, London

The Airogym works by the user pressing down on an inflatable footpad, which compresses the veins in the foot and squeezes blood into the main veins in the calf. The pressure involved in squeezing the foot causes muscular contraction of the calf muscles, which, acting like a 'muscle pump, promote the flow of blood through the main veins to the heart. The scientific tests that we have conducted show that the Airogym improves peak velocity blood flow by up to five times. This increased blood flow certainly prohibits venous stasis and in turn should reduce the risk of development of potentially dangerous blood clots."

Dr. Ian Perry (represents IAOPA as a Consultant in Aviation Medicine on the Medical Subcommittee of the Joint Aviation Authority)

As an industry body, we openly embrace any developments which address the issues of on-flight exercise and DVT. Simplicity and ease are the key with the Airogym. There are four different exercises that you can do with it, all of which can be done from a comfortable seated position. It is physically more beneficial to use the Airogym than simply wiggling your feet as you have the resistance of the inflated chambers to work against and exercise your muscles, stimulating an increase in blood flow. I used the Airogym on a recent long-haul trip and plan to take it on my flight to the US soon. It proved to be an extremely untroubled form of exercise with my feet feeling wonderful for the entirety of the flight - almost as if I had had a reflexology treatment on them!"