Every time you take a step, the muscles of the lower leg contract and relax, putting pressure on the veins of the lower leg, and assisting them in fighting against gravity to move your blood back up to the heart. Within the veins, there are one-way valves that are designed to prevent the return of blood to the leg. When this pumping system does not work properly, varicosities and swollen legs can start.
For Varicose veins that are mild or moderate, a number of treatments including stretching and exercises in combination with compression stockings are beneficial:
Compression stockings can be prescribed by your physician or our chiropodist. To order the right stocking a measurement will be performed. The best time for measuring your legs is first thing in the morning, so book your appointment as close to your waking time as possible. For more severe conditions, a visit to a specialist and possibly surgery may be necessary.
Compression therapy is the application of external pressure to the limb to reduce venous pressure within the limb. Wearing graduated socks or stockings will support your veins and increase circulation, reducing swelling and the feeling of tired, achy legs. To be most effective, the socks or stockings should be put on at the start of your day and removed before you go to bed.
Remember, the heart pumps blood against gravity up the veins of the legs. As a person walks, the contraction and relaxation of the calf muscles around the veins are necessary to help move blood toward the heart.
Some people have an inherited weakness of the vein walls or valves which create additional challenges to the venous circulation. Wearing SIGVARIS® compression socks or stockings is vital for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins and other circulatory problems, especially for individuals who are at risk.
Compression is greatest at the ankle, gradually decreasing up the leg.SIGVARIS® offers a wide range of stockings designed to promote healthy legs.
Support Therapy (OTC) 15-20mmHg The SIGVARIS® Support Therapy Collection is a line of over-the-counter socks, calf-length, thigh-hi, pantyhose, and maternity pantyhose.
Medical Therapy (Prescription) 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 & 50-60mmHg The SIGVARIS® Medical Therapy Collection offers many styles, including calf-length, thigh-hi, pantyhose & maternity pantyhose which are ideal for prevention and management of various levels of venous conditions.
Consult with your physician to obtain a prescription for the appropriate SIGVARIS® product and compression strength for your condition. Call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our SIGVARIS® Certified fitters and we will take the appropriate measurements to ensure a proper fit of your SIGVARIS® garment, as well as instruct proper donning (taking stockings on & off) and care techniques.
Compression stockings are medical devices unless the pressure level is minimal. We encourage our clients to contact their insurance provider and inquire about the availability of funding for compression stockings. Some insurance companies may require a prescription detailing the size and pressure level from a physician or a specialist.
This document has been reproduced with permission from SIGVARIS®.
For more information please see SIGVARIS® web site.
For more information please see SIGVARIS® Compression Stocking Therapy page.
Our clinics are SIGVARIS® Canada Certified dealers.