Compression stockings

Nowadays, there are many professions and fields of activity that have a certain impact on the physical health of a person, and this influence is not always positive.

Often, excessive loads make these or other organs, parts of the body suffer from the corresponding diseases. The legs are more at risk, since they are subjected to the main load, which a person can not always withstand.

In order to reduce the load on the legs, doctors and other specialists asked themselves the question of creating the appropriate underwear that would have a therapeutic and preventive effect. Such underwear was developed in 1929 and was called compression. A little later, many factories began to produce sportswear with the same effect.

So, in our time more and more often you can meet people in compression stockings, as well as notice the presence of such goods in the windows of specialized stores and pharmacies, so many are wondering why they are needed?

• Compression stockings are needed for those whose work involves a long stay in one position with relatively low mobility. That is, sellers behind the counter, teachers, surgeons and representatives of other sedentary professions.
• They are useful in that they expel excess blood from the superficial veins of the lower limb, which significantly reduces the load on the legs, and also this effect acts as a prevention of varicose diseases.
• Varicose diseases are common among both women and men and they arise due to excessive physical exertion.
• Violation of blood flow and valve function in the lower extremities are the cause of this rather dangerous disease.
• Compression stockings have a compressive effect on the veins, preventing excessive accumulation of blood in them and the formation of extensions and thrombosis.

There are many types of compression underwear, which differs in the degree of impact on certain areas of the human body.

In order to examine in more detail the differences between these products, as well as the advantages over each other, we present a comparative table with a detailed description.

Depending on the compression class, the therapeutic or prophylactic effect may have a different degree of effect. For convenience, consider the various degrees of compression, we present the data in the table.

In addition to differences in compression classes, stockings are also divided into several varieties, each of which has its own special purpose.

1. For example, medical compression stockings are used for their intended purpose - the prevention and treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
2. Preventive stockings, as a rule, have the smallest degree of compression and are suitable only for healthy legs subject to constant loads. With a disease that has already begun to develop, this type of product will be completely useless.
3. Hospital surgical compression stockings exert a certain pressure on the veins and blood vessels, which ensures uniform blood flow, without accumulation of fluid, the formation of spider veins and thrombotic diseases.
4. Hospital stockings are also actively used for difficult births, and specifically for cesarean section, because during this period the whole body is subject to the most intense stresses and needs support as never before.
5. Hospital surgical stockings are also called anti-embolic, and their feature is a high degree of compression effect.
6. For sports, compression stockings are an indispensable thing, because under heavy loads the legs are subject to stress and the risk of blood clots. You can use not only stockings, but also specialized sportswear with a compression effect.
7. The same stockings, with a minimum degree of compression, are actively used for long flights, and are also widely used among aviation workers.

Differences in compression stockings are also due to a fairly wide range, allowing you to choose a product that is suitable for a special case for any specific parameters.

The classic model of stockings with a compression effect is up to the hip and is well suited when varicose veins have spread above the knee.

The model of compression stockings to the knee is called golf and is actively used only if the disease does not spread above the product line. Also, compression socks are pretty good and comfortable for playing sports.

For greater ease of use, as well as to avoid slipping and falling off of the product, models of compression stockings adapted for the belt, as well as equipped with a specialized fastener at the waist, were developed.

For the convenience of planting the product, specialized models without socks and heels have been developed, which provides strong fixation of the product on the foot. And if the spread of the disease occurs on one leg, you can use a stocking intended for independent use in the singular.

The compression stocking fabric has a unique composition, including nylon and elastane fibers, which make the product stretch and elastic at the same time. The color scheme of products is not very common, but white, black and beige colors are enough for everyday use.

Compression stockings are quite widespread, so it is not at all surprising that many companies are developing this product.

Products from different manufacturers can differ not only in pricing, but also in the quality of the material and the finished product as a whole.

• The German manufacturer of compression underwear, the multimillion-dollar corporation Medi specializes in the mass production of compression stockings, not intended for hospitalization and surgical operations.
• A distinctive feature of the products of this manufacturer is high quality, which is in perfect harmony with a very reasonable price.
• Another German brand Venoteks is widely popular among consumers, since many are satisfied with the effect - the swelling of the legs becomes much smaller, and varicose veins not only do not spread, but there is also a regression of the disease.
• The quality of compression stockings from the domestic manufacturer Ergoform is not famous for the same high quality as imported counterparts, but it has the most favorable price acceptable for any wallet.
• Brands such as Relaxan, Intex, Smolensk also offer good quality goods at an affordable price, which is manufactured in the best domestic factories.
• Sigvaris products are certified and positioned as a medicinal product, therefore it is most preferred for the treatment of varicose and thrombotic diseases.

Compression knitwear, of course, has a lot of advantages and magical healing properties, but contraindications have not passed by this product.

Compression stockings are strictly contraindicated for people suffering from severe chronic diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities, since a decrease in pressure in the legs must not be allowed in order not to provoke the development of the disease.

High sensitivity of the skin, as well as skin diseases and allergic reactions are a significant contraindication.

To determine the size of the compression stockings, some measurements should be made, and then compare the results with the table below.

For a more accurate sizing, measurements should be taken with special care, carefully measuring all indicated areas.

Self-donning can be somewhat difficult, since the compression hosiery is made of a dense material that sits closely on the leg and squeezes it quite strongly.

Therefore, some factories are specialized stocking equipment. The product is stretched on it and allows the leg to calmly penetrate into the product.

But if, nevertheless, the need arose for manually pulling the product, it should be done with special care, having previously rolled it up and gradually straightening it from the sock upwards.

It is also worthwhile to remove the product with accuracy and caution, also rolling the product, but already in the opposite direction - from top to bottom.

You can use compression stockings all day, especially if you are on your feet all day.

If you sat down for a while to relax, you can remove the product and give the skin a bit of freedom, as well as the opportunity to “breathe” and be saturated with oxygen.

With varicose veins, the product should be selected so that all affected areas of the leg are covered with the material of the product and are under its therapeutic effect.

Sleep in compression stockings has no therapeutic effect if the disease is in the early stages, because the legs are horizontal and not exposed to stress.

About how to wear a compression stocking - in the video.

These products, although they are quite practical and wear-resistant to use, still require some careful care.

Compression stockings, like any other product, are subject to contamination, so they will also need to be washed, which, in turn, has several features.

It is worthwhile to wash compression stockings carefully and accurately, best by hand, pre-soaking the product in cool water and subjecting it to as little mechanical stress as possible.

After washing, rinse the product under cool running water, then squeeze it out with a thick terry towel so as not to damage or stretch the stockings.

In extreme cases, you can resort to the hand wash mode on the washing machine, but it is worth setting the minimum number of revolutions during the spin cycle.

Drying compression stockings also requires a special treatment. Since they can stretch out in an upright position, a smooth horizontal surface is required for drying, leaving no traces or clues.

It is better to store the product in a dark, dry place that protects the product from UV radiation and dampness, which can adversely affect the quality of the product.

The cost of compression stockings can be absolutely diverse and vary from several hundred to several thousand.

Depending on the manufacturer, you can find a perfectly suitable version of good quality at an affordable price in the range of 700 - 800 rubles.

There are models whose prices exceed 3,000 rubles, but the quality of such products remains high.

And there are those whose quality is poor, and the price is unreasonably high.

• Recently acquired Smolensk compression stockings. The price is not high, the product is of high quality and works well. Legs began to swell much less, pain and a feeling of fatigue decreased.

• We bought compression stockings from Ergoform for my husband, the price is a little high, but my husband is satisfied, because he feels much better! It can walk calmly without feeling pain and discomfort from swelling in the legs.