Book Appointment

    A Question of Compression

    Published on June 24th, 2015

    Does your job have you standing and/or walking for more than half your working hours? Professions such as nursing, serving, personal training, and many more all require employees to be on their feet for most of the day. This can lead to fatigue, problems in your lower extremities, decreased alertness, and more. Luckily, there are ways to help alleviate this pain. One of the most important things to do is to choose good footwear. Make sure that your shoes have enough support and you replace them once they have worn down. Try to sit sporadically throughout your shifts and do basic stretches. Lastly, one thing that will help is to wear compression stockings.

    Compression stockings, while not the most fashionable, can help prevent venous pooling. The pressure that is placed on your calves encourage venous return, meaning that your blood is circulating properly. This makes walking for prolonged periods easier and decrease swelling in your legs. If you think that compression stockings may help you, talk to your doctor first.

    Once getting the go ahead from your doctor, there are a couple things to know about buying compression stockings. First, you should know how much pressure should be placed on your legs. Typically, you will want something from 15-20 mmHg, which is just the measurement of pressure, because it is tight enough to help without becoming uncomfortable. Second is size. You’ll want to measure the circumference of your ankle, calf, and thigh, as well as the height from foot to knee. With these measurements you will be able to find the perfect pair of compression stockings to alleviate lower extremity pain.

     

    Courtesy of: Nurse.com

    Call for an Appointment (847) 540-9949