Compression Stockings For Varicose Veins
Compression Stockings For Varicose Veins
A varicose vein is a visible vein located just beneath the surface of the skin, they can appear on your face, your legs, or even your hands. Wearing Compression stockings on your legs may help to reduce the appearance and painful symptoms associated with varicose veins in some people.
1. How Do Compression Stockings For Varicose Veins Work?
Compression stockings are typically used to improve blood circulation. Historically, Roman soldiers used to wrap their legs in leather straps to improve circulation during long marches.
Modern compression stockings are more sophisticated and designed to provide consistent pressure in the legs, helping blood to flow from your lower extremities back toward the heart. Compression Stockings usually provide more pressure near your ankles and feet, exerting an extra squeeze that incentivizes blood flow.
Compression stockings can improve symptoms of varicose veins such as leg pain, swelling, and restless leg syndrome. Compression Stockings alone however, will not eliminate them completely from your legs.
Compression Stockings for varicose veins are typically knee- or thigh-high. Knee-high stockings promote circulation in the lower leg and when exercising, whilst thigh high compression stockings are recommended to prevent blood clots (compression stockings after cesarean) or after surgery.Â
What’s my compression stockings size?
2. When To Wear Compression Stockings For Varicose Veins
Around 40% of the US population is affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that can lead spider and varicose veins. If you have chronic venous insufficiency, you typically experience heavy legs and swollen feet and ankles at the end of the day. You may also experience pain, leg cramps, and restless leg syndrome.Â
With time, malfunctioning valves and the poor blood circulation manifests itself in painful symptoms, in addition to visible ones like varicose and spider veins. Essentially, if you suffer from poor blood circulation, spider and varicose veins, then compression stockings will bring relieve to your symptoms.Â
3. How To Wear Compression Stockings For Varicose Veins
Compression stockings come in a variety of sizes (XS-2XL) lengths (Knee High, Thigh High & Ankle High) and colors. They’re also available with different strengths of compression. We typically recommend medical grade compression stockings with a 20-30 mmHg compression level.
- You can measure your legs yourself to figure our the correct size, or you can try this compression stockings size finder based on your height and weight.
- You may need to wear them on both legs, or just on 1. It depends on whether you are experiencing symptoms in one or both legs.
- You should wear your compression stockings during the day and take them off before going to bed. Put them on again first thing in the morning. You shouldn’t wear compression stockings 24 hours a day, unless a physician explicitly requests it.
- You should purchase at least 2 stockings, or 2 pairs if you’re wearing them on both legs.This means you can wear 1 stocking (or pair) while the other is being washed and dried.
- A pair of quality compression stockings should last between 3 – 6 months, depending on the frequency in which you use them.
Put on your compression stockings when you first wake up, before swelling has had a chance to occur. You should also wear them before long flights or car trips where you will be sedentary for a long period. During work hours as well if you tend to spend long periods of time sitting or standing.
Before putting on your compression stockings, you’ll want to lay them out so that they are smooth and prevent wrinkles. When pulling them up, make sure to avoid bunching. You’ll also want to prevent your compression stockings from rolling at the top.Â
4. How Long Should I Wear Compression Stockings For Varicose Veins
Wear your compression stockings during the day, while you are at home or at work, walking or exercising. You shouldn’t wear compression stockings while you are sleeping, unless your doctor has specifically asked you to because of vein surgery, knee surgery, or any other type of surgery that requires it.
If you have undergone a vein treatment such as sclerotherapy or radiofrequency ablation, you will typically be required to wear your compression stockings after for a period of time. Be sure to comfirm with your vein doctor and get a clear answer as to how long you should wear them for post-surgery.