Has your doctor recommended that you start wearing compression socks or hosiery, but when you went to get a pair you didn’t know the size or strength you needed? Or perhaps you figured out what you were looking for but when you got home, pulling up your brand-new compression socks was just too hard and tiresome. Compression socks, hosiery, and sleeves are meant to make your life easier, less painful, and more enjoyable, not cause unnecessary stress and problems. Below is a list of tips to make transitioning to compression as easy as possible:
1) When your doctor recommends or prescribes a compression garment for you, make sure to ask what level of compression you need. We cannot stress this enough. Way too many times do our customers come in looking for a compression sock that their doctor prescribed them, but the doctor failed to mention the level of compression needed. The level of compression usually varies between 15-20 mmHG, 20-30 mmHG and 30-40 mmHG. If a doctor is recommending that you use a compression sock or garment, they usually have a strength/level of compression in mind.
2) Always get professionally fitted for your compression garments to ensure that they are the proper size for you to receive the maximum benefit. At Independently Yours, certified staff members are trained to take the correct measurements for knee high, thigh high, or pantyhose compression garments. If you are not properly fitted and you are wearing the wrong size, you will be causing discomfort to yourself, wasting your money and potentially causing more damage. Sigvaris compression is one of the few brands that offer compression garments in various length options such as short, medium and long in addition to the multiple sizes (small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large).
3) Determining the length or style of the compression item needed. The 3 standard compression hosiery lengths are knee high, thigh high and pantyhose. Knee high compression socks are ideal for people who need relief or assistance with issues anywhere below the knee cap. Knee high compression socks are also ideal for people flying or traveling long distances. Thigh high compression is recommended for people that need compression around their knee in particular, or below the thigh. Thigh high compression socks and hosiery cover a larger amount of skin and leg, providing additional circulation and relief, but are often a little more expensive then knee highs. Pantyhose compression hosiery provides relief and assistant to the entire lower half of the body, and is easier to keep in place.
– 15-20 mmHG: The 15-20 mmHG level of compression is ideal for people who are wearing compression for the first time. It aids in the prevention and relief of minor to moderate varicose and spider veins. Helps relieve tired, aching legs, as well as minor swelling in the feet, ankles and legs. This level of moderate compression is ideal for people traveling long distances, especially those traveling on planes can help prevent deep vein thrombosis.
– 20-30 mmHG: The 20-30 mmHG level of compression is a firmer level of compression compared to the 15-20. 20-30 mmHG is normally used to help prevent and relieve moderate to severe varicose veins, as well as post surgical treatments to prevent the reappearance of spider veins. This tighter level of compression also aids in treatment of edema, managing ulcers and the beginning of PTS. 20-30 compression socks and hosiery helps prevent orthostatic hypotension also known as sudden fall in blood pressure while standing.
– 30-40 mmHG: 30-40 mmHG level compression is considered one of the strongest compression garments used primarily for the treatment of severe edema, lymphedema, varicose veins or venous ulcers. It can also help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as well as Postural Hypotension and Orthostatic Hypotension. 30-40 grade compression typically comes at the recommendation of a doctor, and is extremely difficult to put on without the assistance of an aide like the Donning Stand or another person.
Sigvaris Compreflex Lite (Comparable to Juxtalite Circaid)
The Sigvaris Compreflex Lite is a compression garment that provides 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 mmHG levels of compression depending on your needs. The benefit of the Sigvaris Compreflex which is similar to the Juxtalite Circaid is that it is extremely easy to put on, as it features stretchable velcro straps to tighten or loosen the compression level. Normally, putting on compression socks or hosiery at this strength of compression can be very difficult for most people, but with the stretch panel, compression transition liners, and breathable material, you can easily put the Compreflex on and adjust exactly to your desired level of comfort in just seconds.
At You Can Home Medical, we carry Sigvaris Compression products for both men and women. Sigvaris is a high quality brand designed to improve the daily lives of each customer, by helping alleviate or prevent pain, swelling, edema and other circulatory issues. One of the many benefits of the Sigvaris Compression Socks and Hosiery is that they are available in different kinds of material such as: Sea Island Cotton, Eversheer, Midtown Microfiber, Merino Wool, and Soft Opaque. Our staff is both trained and certified for compression fitting and sizing. Call us or visit us to be fitted and find the right compression product for you.
Marketing Director - You Can Home Medical
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