Patent ID: 7549971

Claim:
A method of controlling lymphedema in a person having axillae, a back region, a side torso region and a chest region, comprising the steps of: applying a first level of compression adjacent the axillae; applying a second level of compression to the back region, wherein said second level of compression is greater than said first level of compression; applying a third level of compression to the side torso region, wherein said third level of compression is greater than said second level of compression; and applying a fourth level of compression to the chest region, wherein said fourth level of compression is greater than said third level of compression, wherein said applying said fourth level of compression includes using a garment having one or more portions including a compression fabric, wherein at least one portion of the one or more portions includes a compression fabric having a modulus in the length dimension from 1.0 pounds to 2.75 pounds at 30% elongation, the modulus in the length dimension from 2.25 pounds to 5.75 pounds at 60% elongation, and wherein the at least one portion has a modulus in the width dimension from 0.8 pounds to 2.2 pounds at 40% elongation.