rx compression socks blog
RX compression socks blog
Blood is life. Everyone knows we need air to breathe. Every lungful keeps you going with life-giving oxygen. We often forget blood is how the body receives that oxygen. A red river runs through our bodies every forty-five seconds. The more the blood keeps to its schedule, the better off we are. Proper circulation is essential to good health.
Since the feet are furthest from the heart, and at the lowest point of the body, the blood fights gravity to return to the heart. Poor health or age can make that return more difficult. One of the remedies doctors recommend is compression socks and stockings. These garments help blood flow and encourage better circulation. They can help prevent a number of health issues, including pain, swelling, varicose veins and blood clots.
What Are Compression Socks?
Compression socks aren't just regular cotton undergarments. They are specially made footwear that improves circulation. The socks stimulate blood flow in your legs and feet. They are tighter around the ankles and looser as they get to the knee. While compression therapy has existed since the time of the ancient Egyptians, compression socks themselves are a recent arrival. Compression footwear first started showing up in the 1930's. One of the most notable cases was from the German, Conrad Jobst. He created a compression hose to help his own poor circulation. He noticed he felt better after a swim, due to the compression action of the water. Since that time compression socks have been used for everything from easing tired and aching feet to assuring proper convalescence after accidents and surgery. New Paragraph
How Do You Measure And Rate Compression Socks?
Just as with other legitimate health care aids the capability of compression socks and stockings is expressed with definable measurements. The socks usually come in dimensions of small, medium and large, but they also are defined by millimeters per mercury (mmHg). This designation traces its roots to experiments by the Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli in the 1600's. Using a glass tube, mercury and water, he created a crude pressure gauge to prove that air itself has mass. Today the mmHg unit of measure is still used in many medical and scientific capacities, alongside the more common measurement of pounds per square inch (psi).
Aside from the pressure measurement, the actual fit of the compression sock must also be precise. Medical professionals measure a patient's feet while they are free of swelling, and then prescribe the correct sock sizes accordingly. Patients may also measure their own feet. There are three specific areas.
- Circumference of the ankle – Measured around the ankle
- Circumference of the calf – Measured around the calf
- Length of the calf – Measured from knee to heel
Each of these must be measured while the legs are at rest at a ninety-degree angle. By comparing the measurements with those on the packaging of the compression footwear the patient is able to choose the proper sock or stocking.
What Are Common Compression Ranges For The Socks?
There are three typical ranges of compression for compression socks. They are:
- Mild 15-20 mmHg – This level of compression helps reduce swelling and minor aches and pains in the feet, ankles and legs.
- Medium 20-30 mmHg – At this level varicose veins and heavy aches are treated. It can also reduce the risk of serious complications such as edema in post-pregnancy.
- Firm 30-50 mmHg – This level is for the severest problems. Socks with these ratings help ulcer management and other serious ailments. They should be used only with proper medical advice and care. New Paragraph
How Do You Know If You Need Compression Socks?
Care and judgment should be applied when considering the use of compression footwear. Self-diagnosis may be appropriate and safe for use of the mild compression socks. For the medium and firm socks, however, patients should follow proper medical advice. Some people, such as runners, cyclists, gym enthusiasts and martial artists may benefit from using the mild to medium socks. Airline personnel, medical staff, shopping greeters and other professionals who stay on their feet or are forced to sit for long periods, may also benefit. The socks can help with fatigue, swelling, joint pain and circulation. For more severe problems they can alleviate symptoms of varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and blood pooling. New Paragraph
Do Compression Socks Look Like Hospital Garments?
Basic compression footwear may appear somewhat clinical, however the time has long since passed when that was the only option. There are many designs and attractive choices for every level of compression socks. Runners can be seen with brightly colored footwear. Cyclists wear striped socks, and many compression stockings are indistinguishable from the cosmetic variety, unless you do a close inspection.
The only real constraint on compression sock purchasing actually comes from the medical insurance and other funding areas. Despite the many medical uses of compression footwear the items are almost universally not covered by market insurance or Medicare. Even with a detailed prescription the insurance may be denied. Only a very precise range of factors makes compression socks eligible for coverage. Patients should check with their doctors and coverage providers before making purchases or long-term decisions. New Paragraph
We want to support and
cushion your feet!