LONG FLIGHT AHEAD? PACK YOUR COMPRESSION SOCKS!When traveling overseas (or any flight lasting more than eight hours), being prepared is key. We all know to bring a good book or gadgets to keep us entertained, but what about compression socks? A recent article in The Wall Street Journal warns of a potentially life-threatening condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), also known as blood clots, in travelers on long flights. The connection between blood clots and travel occurs when the traveler remains immobile for long periods of time. “Anytime you are immobile, you have the potential for blood to sit there and clot,” says Susan Scherer, a Physical Therapist and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Regis University in Denver, CO. According to...
You get home from work. You drop your bag and finally sit down on the couch after having been on your feet all day. To rest feels good, but your legs do not. They are aching and your feet look swollen. Does this sound familiar? Swollen and achy legs, feet, and ankles can be a common problem that many people experience. Whether it's due to long periods of standing, sitting, or certain medical conditions, finding relief is essential for maintaining comfort and mobility. Many jobs in the workplace require a fair amount of standing throughout the day. Standing on a regular basis can leave the legs and feet fatigued. But a special pair of socks may offer some relief. The...
Exercise is excellent for your vein health. But it may not be enough to prevent varicose veins and blood clots. One of the best ways to prevent vein disease is to exercise and get the blood flowing. But even if you work out regularly, you may still see those twisting, bulging veins on your legs, a condition that puts you at higher risk for blood clots. Don’t let that stop you from exercising! Being athletic and in great shape keeps you and your veins healthy. But you may have risk factors that increase the likelihood of clots and varicose veins. Still, exercise, combined with treatment and other lifestyle changes, can reduce your risk of vein disease and its complications. What...
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), or vein disease, is the root cause of varicose veins and spider veins. Left untreated, CVI can contribute to a loss of productivity and reduced quality of life.Varicose veins are part of the spectrum of chronic venous diseases that also cause spider veins. Vein disease occurs when the valves in the veins of the legs fail to function correctly, leading to blood pooling in the lower extremities and increased pressure in the veins. Over time, this can cause the veins to become enlarged and twisted, resulting in the characteristic appearance of varicose veins. Are varicose veins a health problem? Caused by various factors, including genetics, pregnancy, obesity, advanced age, or prolonged standing or sitting, varicose veins...
What is compression therapy? “Compression therapy is a tool used for a variety of lower extremity problems,” says Dr. Schul. He explains that “compression creates a ‘compartment’ in the legs that do not allow the pressure of backward flowing veins to exert tissue effects on the skin.” In other words, the pain and inflammation caused by the reversal of blood flow through damaged leg valves (a condition known as reflux) are minimized when wearing compression socks. This is especially true while standing or sitting for extended periods. Snug-fitting stretchy compression socks helps the vessels work better by applying gentle pressure to the lower legs that create a compartment. This compartment supports venous return and lessens symptoms of venous hypertension. Blood circulation is improved...