Nick, yes it does! Not only that but while I am raising the lever to take off the RCDI indicates a rate of descent (an increase in pressure). I and many others have taught this as a check that the static vents are clear before going flying, especially instrument flying.
If I hover the helo OGE so thrust = weight and could magically introduce the ground at an instant say 5' below the wheels then the aircraft would climb if I did nothing with the controls. Why? because the ground has caused the pressure increase to occur which opposes IF, improves Cl, reduces Cd etc.etc.
BUT if I lower the lever to maintain height, the same thrust = weight is true but I have achieved it using less pitch angle, less AoA and less power.
You will say it is because the induced drag has reduced and I will agree but only because I believe that the increase of pressure under the wing has caused this to happen, whether through the action of vortices or whatever.