An apparatus is provided for compressing and permitting relaxation of a body organ in a body. In general, the apparatus includes organ compression means attached to a portion of the body organ for compressing the body organ, and compression activation means are connected to the organ compression means for controlling the organ compression means for compressing the body organ and for permitting the compressed body organ to relax. With one class of embodiments of the invention, the organ compression means include electromagnet means, and the compression activation means are connected to the electromagnet means and include an electromagnet control unit for controlling the electromagnet means. With another class of embodiments of the invention, the organ compression means include a pneumatic bladder, and the compression activation means are connected to the pneumatic bladder, includes a pneumatic bladder control unit for controlling the pneumatic bladder. A method is also provided for compressing and permitting relaxation of a body organ.