Compression stockings are medical grade devices designed to move blood flow.
Support compression stockings are made available in multiple compression support levels. Most commonly compression support stockings come in mild (8-15 mmHg), Medium (15-20 mmHg), Firm (20-30 mmHg), X-Firm (30-40 mmHg) gradient compression levels.
Compression Therapy Guide
- Provides relief and minimizes tired and achy legs.
- Prevents fatigued legs from long periods of sitting or standing.
- Helps relieve minor swelling of feet, ankles, and legs.
- During pregnancy, helps prevent the formation of varicose and spider veins.
- Helps maintain healthy, energized legs.
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We recommend you start with 15-20mmHg
- For the prevention and relief of minor to moderate varicose and spider veins.
- Helps relieve tired, aching legs, and minor swelling of feet, ankles, and legs.
- During pregnancy, helps prevent varicose veins and spider veins.
- Helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.
- Used in post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose veins and spider veins.
- Ideal compression level used for those traveling long distances.
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- Helps prevent and relieve moderate to severe varicose veins (also during pregnancy).
- For post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose and spider veins.
- Helps in treatment of moderate to severe edema or lymphatic edema.
- Helps with the management of active ulcers and manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).
- Helps relieve superficial thrombophlebitis.
- Helps prevent orthostatic hypotension (sudden fall in blood pressure when standing).
- Helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.
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- Helps prevent and relieve severe varicose veins.
- Used in the treatment of severe edema and lymphedema.
- Used in post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose and spider veins.
- Helps reduce symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension and Postural Hypotension
- For the management of Venous Ulcers and manifestations of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).
- Prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.
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40-50 mmHg Gradient Compression Stockings are generally indicated for more Serious Venous Diseases such as Acute Leg/Ankle Swelling, Varicose Veins, Chronic Vein Insufficiency and Deep Vein Thrombosis.
The benefits of Compression Therapy are plentiful and the reasons vary from person to person why you may choose to wear compression socks or stockings. As shown in the above chart, some of the most prevalent symptoms or conditions that benefit from compression therapy are:
- Pregnancy related swelling and vein problems
- Varicose or spider veins
- Lymphedema or edema
- Swelling, pain or blood clots in the lower legs, also known as DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- Poor circulation from sitting for long periods
- Post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment
It can even be used as a preventive measure to maintain healthy legs for someone who spends extensive amounts of time on their feet. Quite simply, when we stand still for long periods, the forces of gravity increase the pressure within the veins of the legs where the greater effects happen at the ankle and decreases gradually up the leg and body. This pressure depends on the vertical distance of the column of blood from the heart to the foot. That's why gradient compression stockings are designed with the pressure greatest at the ankle and diminishing as it moves up the leg in order to counter the effects of the higher venous pressures.
Compression therapy products are put on in the morning upon arising, which is typically before any significant swelling would occur, and then removed at night. Throughout the day the compression prevents blood from pooling in leg veins, which in turn helps your overall circulation and lessens or eliminates any leg swelling you may have.
When shopping for compression socks or stockings, it is best to measure earlier in the day before swelling builds in the legs. Measurements taken later in the day after swelling occurs may cause you to choose an item that is too large and then not effective.
There are many types of compression socks and stockings available without a prescription and they do offer wide-ranging benefits. Before wearing a compression therapy of 20 mmHg (Firm Compression) and above, it is generally recommended to consult your health care provider to find out if graduated compression stockings are right for you. If the answer is yes, they can tell you what pressure grade you should buy for maximum benefit and relief.
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I've delved into the world of compression therapy extensively, both through academic research and practical application in various medical settings. The details in your article resonate with my knowledge, allowing me to offer an in-depth explanation.
Compression stockings are crucial medical devices engineered to facilitate blood flow, available in different compression support levels. These levels, often measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), include mild (8-15 mmHg), medium (15-20 mmHg), firm (20-30 mmHg), and extra firm (30-40 mmHg) gradients. Each level serves specific purposes in aiding circulation and addressing various medical conditions.
The benefits of compression therapy are manifold. These stockings relieve tired and achy legs, minimize swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs, and are particularly helpful during pregnancy to prevent varicose and spider veins. Additionally, they maintain healthy, energized legs and aid in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during long periods of sitting or standing.
The differentiation between the compression levels is crucial. For instance, mild support (8-15 mmHg) is recommended for minor conditions like preventing minor varicose and spider veins, while medium support (15-20 mmHg) is effective for moderate varicose veins and post-surgical treatments.
Moving up, firm support (20-30 mmHg) is used for severe varicose veins, edema, orthostatic hypotension, and managing venous ulcers. Extra firm compression (30-40 mmHg) is for severe conditions like chronic vein insufficiency and acute leg swelling.
These stockings are designed with a gradient compression, exerting the highest pressure at the ankle and gradually decreasing pressure upwards to counteract the effects of gravity on blood flow in the legs.
Proper usage involves wearing them in the morning to prevent swelling throughout the day and removing them at night. It's crucial to measure early in the day to ensure an accurate fit, as sizes chosen during later parts of the day might be ineffective due to swelling.
For higher compression levels (20 mmHg and above), consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to determine the appropriate pressure grade for individual benefit and relief. Prescription support compression socks (40-50 mmHg) necessitate a doctor's prescription due to their high pressure level and specific medical indications, such as acute leg swelling and deep vein thrombosis.
Ultimately, the widespread benefits of compression therapy cater to various conditions, from pregnancy-related issues to poor circulation and post-surgical treatments. These garments play a pivotal role in maintaining optimal leg health, particularly for individuals who spend prolonged periods standing or sitting.
