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, unbearable loads make certain organs, parts of the body suffer from corresponding diseases. The legs are more at risk, since they have the main load that a person cannot always withstand.

In order to reduce the load on the legs, doctors and other specialists asked themselves the question of creating appropriate underwear that would have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect. Such underwear was developed in 1929 and was called compression underwear. 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 on the windows of specialized stores and pharmacies, so many are wondering why they are needed?

See below for more details.

• Compression stockings are needed for those whose work is associated with a long stay in one position with relatively low mobility. That is, sellers at 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 extremities, which significantly reduces the load on the legs, and also such an effect acts as a prophylaxis for varicose veins.
• Varicose veins are common among both women and men and they arise as a result of excessive physical exertion.
• Violation of blood flow and valve function in the lower extremities are the cause of this rather dangerous disease.
• Compression stockings exert a compressive effect on the veins, preventing excessive accumulation of blood in them and the formation of dilations and thrombosis.

There are many varieties of compression garments, which differ in the degree of impact on certain areas of the human body.

To consider 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 can have a different degree of effect. For the convenience of considering 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. Prophylactic stockings, as a rule, have the least degree of compression and are suitable only for healthy legs that are subject to constant stress. With a disease that has already begun to develop, this type of product will be absolutely useless.
3. Hospital surgical compression stockings exert a certain pressure on the veins and vessels, which ensures uniform blood flow, without the accumulation of fluid, the formation of spider veins and thrombotic diseases.
4. Hospital stockings are also actively used for difficult childbirth, and specifically for caesarean section, since during this period the whole body is subject to severe stress and needs support more than ever.
5. Hospital surgical stockings are also called antiembolic stockings, and their feature is a high degree of compression effect.
6. For sports, compression stockings are indispensable, since under heavy loads, the legs are exposed 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 during long flights, and are also widely used among aviation workers.

The differences in compression stockings are also due to a rather wide range of models, which allows you to choose a product that is suitable for a special occasion according to some specific parameters.

The classic model of compression stockings is hip-length and is well suited for cases where varicose veins have spread above the knee.

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

For greater convenience in use, as well as to avoid slipping and falling of the product, models of compression stockings have been developed that fit under the belt, as well as equipped with a specialized fastener at the waist.

For the convenience of the fit of the product, specialized models have been developed without a toe and a heel, which ensures a firm fixation of the product on the foot. And if the spread of the disease occurs on one leg, you can use a stocking designed for independent use in the singular.

The fabric of the compression stockings has a unique composition that includes nylon and elastane fibers, making the garment both stretchable and resilient. The color scheme of the products is not very common, but white, black and beige colors are enough for everyday use.
See below for more details.

Compression stockings are quite widespread, so it is not at all surprising that many companies are engaged in the development of this product.

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

• A German manufacturer of compression underwear, the multi-million dollar Medi corporation 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 very popular among consumers, since many are satisfied with the effect - the swelling of the legs becomes much less, and varicose veins not only do not spread, but also regression of the disease is observed.
• 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.
• Such brands as Relaxan, Intex, Smolensk also offer good quality goods at an affordable price, which are manufactured in the best domestic factories.
• Sigvaris products have a certificate and are positioned as a medicinal product, therefore they are the 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 did not pass by this product.

Compression stockings are categorically contraindicated for people suffering from severe chronic diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities, since a decrease in pressure in the legs should not be allowed so as 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, take some measurements and then compare the results with the table below.

For a more accurate sizing, you should make measurements with special care, carefully measuring all the indicated areas.

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

Therefore, some factories provide a specialized stocking device. The product stretches on it and allows the leg to easily penetrate the product.

But if, nevertheless, there is a need to manually stretch the product, you should do this with special care, having previously rolled it up and gradually straightening it from the toe and above.

It is also worth removing the product with accuracy and care, also rolling the product, but 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 sit down to rest for a while, you can take off the product and give your skin a little freedom, as well as the opportunity to "breathe" and be saturated with oxygen.

In case of varicose veins, the product should be selected in such a way that all affected areas of the leg are covered with the material of the product and are under its therapeutic effect.

Sleeping in compression stockings has no therapeutic effect if the disease is in the early stages, since the legs are in a horizontal position and are not subject to stress.

How to put on a compression stocking correctly is in the video.

These products, although they are quite practical and durable in use, still require some careful care.

Compression stockings, like any other product, are susceptible to dirt, therefore, they will also need washing, which, in turn, has several features.

It is worth washing the compression stockings carefully and carefully, preferably 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 wring it out with a thick terry towel so as not to damage or pull out the stockings.

As a last resort, you can resort to the hand wash mode on the washing machine, but it is worth setting the minimum number of revolutions during spinning.

Drying compression stockings also requires special care. Since they can stretch vertically, a smooth, horizontal surface that does not leave marks or snags is required for drying.

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

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

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

There are models whose prices exceed 3000 rubles, but the quality of such products remains at a height.

And there are those, the quality of which leaves much to be desired, and the price is unreasonably high.

• Recently I bought Smolensk compression stockings. The price is not high, the product is of high quality and works well. The legs began to swell much less, pain and fatigue decreased.

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