The present findings and considerable related evidence indicate that lower extremity external compression, within the range of commonly used therapeutic levels, reduces SBF by an amount that depends on the magnitude of the compression pressures. The quantitative difference between the effect of compression on SBF within the compression area, and distal to it, is likely a result of the way that the compression affects arteriolar and venous resistance to blood flow at the 2 sites. From a clinical perspective, it would seem prudent to anticipate that sub-bandage and distal SBF would be negatively affected by compression, with greater effects likely in tissue distal to compression.