Medical Compression Stockings
Preventing Fatigue & Achiness
Whether you’re an injured athlete or have a specific medical condition, compression stockings can help decrease leg fatigue and eliminate any dull aches and pains you are experiencing. In addition, these stockings increase blood flow back to the heart, ensuring your circulatory system is working in tip-top shape.
Supporting Healthy Blood Flow
Ineffective blood flow to the heart is often a result of weakened vein walls and valves. With compression stockings, these veins receive the amount of pressure needed for their valves to close, thereby restoring circulation and preventing blood from pooling and clotting in your lower extremities.
Reducing Leg Swelling
Compression stockings are commonly used to decrease and prevent further swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet. At Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab, our team may recommend compression stockings for this reason, whether it be due to injury, post-surgery healing, or specific medical conditions such as deep vein thrombosis.
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What To Expect At Your Appointment
How Compression Stockings Work
Compression stockings offer moderate support to the lower extremities; this promotes blood flow back to the heart. By applying gentle pressure to your veins, stockings reduce the risk of fluid buildup, swelling, and clotting. Your doctor may recommend this type of hosiery to alleviate aching legs, ankle, and foot pain.
In fact, you don’t have to be in pain or have a certain medical condition to benefit from compression stockings. If you travel often or take part in frequent athletic activities, then you too can obtain a higher state of health, wellness, and performance through the use of these stockings.
Different Levels of Compression
At Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Thankfully, compression stockings come in all types of levels and sizes. Each stocking type has a pressure level measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
When wearing your stockings, they should feel tight but not tight enough that you feel pain or discomfort. Typically, 8–15 mmHg is ideal for those sitting or standing for long durations. Meanwhile, 15–20 mmHg is usually best for those susceptible to swollen legs.
20–40 mmHg compression stockings, on the other hand, tend to be reserved for individuals with mild to severe conditions.
Medical Grade Compression
Medical grade compression stockings usually fall under two ranges: 20–30 mmHg and 30–40 mmHg. 20–30 mmHg is typically used for those with varicose veins, low blood pressure, or edema. 30–40 mmHg is recommended for more serious medical conditions such as deep vein thrombosis.
These medical compression stockings may also help reduce joint pain caused by arthritis or muscle inflammation. However, you should only purchase and use compression stockings that your healthcare provider has recommended specifically for you and your situation.
Getting the Right Fit
The Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab team can determine what best suits your needs; choosing the correct level of compression is essential to ensure you get the most out of each and every wear. If you struggle with putting on your compression stockings, our experts can further offer solutions and aids to help you put on and take off these garments with ease.
Ideally, you should replace compression stockings every three to six months to retain the elasticity and allow for any adjustments in pressure to be made by your healthcare provider.
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Part of a Holistic Approach
At Delta Physiotherapy & Rehab, our team believes that a holistic approach is best when it comes to making a full recovery. Whether you’re looking to manage a certain medical condition or striving to bounce back after an injury, compression stockings can play a vital part in helping you achieve your goals.
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