A pneumatic compression pump is a basic component of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), a widely used technique that involves attaching an electrical air compression pump to an inflatable plastic garment that is placed over the affected limb. The garment is inflated and deflated cyclically for a set period, usually about 30–120 minutes. The pressure produced by the garment can be varied. Garments may be single chambered or contain multiple chambers (usually 3, 5, or 10) that are inflated sequentially to provide a peristaltic massaging effect along the length of the limb.