Compression Stockings to Address Embarrassing Veins

Do you suffer from varicose veins? Are you embarrassed about your veins popping out from underneath your skin, making your legs look unattractive? There’s a way you can address this problem. You can wear compression socks and stockings that can help reduce the appearance and painful symptoms of varicose veins that some people experience.

When does varicose vein occur? Varicose veins can be observed when blood collects behind the small vein valves  instead of flowing back to the heart to be cleansed. Varicose veins are common in the legs and feet because blood has a longer way to travel to the heart from these areas.

Compression stockings are often recommended by doctors who aim to improve blood circulation, stop the varicose veins from worsening further and treating discomfort that may arise from the condition.

Are Compression Stockings Effective?

Compression stockings have been historically used to improve circulation in the legs. In the Roman Empire, soldiers would wrap their legs in leather straps before going on long marches to enable better circulation.

Compression stockings nowadays are more advanced and apply constant pressure to the legs, enabling the blood to flow back smoothly in the direction of the heart. These stockings exert pressure around the ankle and foot-region, adding an extra squeeze to promote blood flow.

Scientific studies conducted on the efficiency of compression stockings on varicose veins support that compression garments improve the symptoms of varicose veins. However, one must not solely rely on these to treat the problem. Different stockings are available in the market which provides different degrees of pressure to your legs.

A study conducted in 2014 revealed that surgery to remove varicose veins stood better chances of curing varicose veins than compression stockings. Another conducted in 2017 advocated the use of the oral medication, Pycnogenol to treat the same.

Types of Compression Stockings

Compression stockings come in different shapes and sizes. The number, cause, and type of a person’s varicose veins determine the kind of compression stockings that will be most suitable for them.

There are three major types of compression stockings. They are:

• Compression socks and stockings – You can purchase compression socks and stockings from online stores, pharmacies or drugstores. They come in a range of different pressure options.

• Support pantyhose – Support pantyhose exert a slight amount of pressure onto your legs but is the least effective in the treatment of varicose veins.

• Prescription compression stockings – Physician-prescribed compression stockings are fitted by vein specialists who prescribe your compression stockings in such a way that they are tight enough but do not hamper your blood circulation. These compression stockings exert the maximum pressure among the three kinds of compression stockings discussed.

Stockings are either knee-high/thigh-high. Knee-high stockings promote circulation in the lower leg. Thigh-high stockings are usually recommended to prevent clot post-knee-replacement surgery.

If you suffer from varicose veins, you are recommended to wear compression stockings around the clock to facilitate better blood circulation in your legs.

Contact Our Office

Compression stockings are a great way to rid yourself of the problems associated with varicose veins. If you’re interested in learning more about the options available to you, contact Nu Vela Laser and Vein Center today!