Prolonged pressure applied to skin and tissue may reduce or stop blood flow through

the capillary bed

If closure occurs reduced oxygenation causes discomfort or pain, stimulating

movement to relieve pressure

Upon movement the tissue is flooded with blood to remove accumulated waste and

promote oxygenation

This is known as reactive hyperaemia or blanching erythema i.e redness that turns

white or pale upon light finger pressure then returns to red