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Fitting into this question is the idea that compression therapy should not be used when it could harm the patient. Certain conditions make external pressure dangerous enough to be an absolute no-go, while others can be managed with precautions. In this set, arterial diseases and severe congestive heart failure are clear red flags: squeezing the limb can reduce arterial inflow and worsen ischemia, or push more blood back toward the heart and worsen heart failure. Spasticity can also make applying safe, effective compression difficult and potentially uncomfortable or injurious, so it’s treated as a strong contraindication in practice.

Pregnancy, on the other hand, is not an absolute contraindication. Compression can be helpful to reduce leg edema and venous discomfort during pregnancy, provided you avoid abdominal compression and monitor for any signs that would change the approach (like suspected deep vein thrombosis or other complications). The key is selecting appropriate garment strength and fit and using caution rather than withholding therapy altogether.

So the one that isn’t an absolute contraindication is pregnancy.