Whether your travel plans involve planes, trains or automobiles, compression therapy can help reduce swelling in the legs and feet. Compression therapy comes in the form of knee and thigh high socks and full pantyhose. In order to understand how compression therapy works, learning how the veins in our bodies work is key. Let’s find out more!
Veins
Veins are blood vessels in the body that carry deoxygenated blood or blood that doesn’t contain oxygen, back to the heart to be pumped to the lungs in order to be reoxygenated or have oxygen added once again. Veins are visible through the surface of the skin and are blue in appearance as they lack oxygen. They have one way valves to prevent blood from falling back down with gravity. There are little to no muscles in the walls of the veins which means they rely on the surrounding muscles in the legs to pump the blood back up to the heart. When we walk around, our muscles actively contract and release which facilitates blood flow upwards but when we sit for a period of time, the muscles do not act on the veins which makes us more susceptible to swelling in our legs and feet.
Compression therapy
Compression socks mimic the action of the skeletal muscles in the leg, the medical term for muscles that surround the bones or skeleton. The pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is available in the following compression strengths: 15-20 mmHg, 20-30 mmHg, 30-40 mmHg and 40-50 mmHg. The compression is a “gradient” system, meaning the compression is highest or tightest at the toes and gradually becomes less as it goes up the leg. The most common therapeutic strength is 20-30mmHg.
Compression therapy can be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner or can be purchased on your own, but it is best to seek the advice of these professionals before starting to wear compression socks as there are a few reasons why they may not be suitable. For example, arterial circulation must be sufficient to wear compression socks. Arterial circulation pertains to the arteries in the body which are the deeper vessels carrying oxygenated blood to tissues, keeping them alive. A doctor or nurse practitioner may conduct a test called an ABI, otherwise known as an ankle brachial index. This test measures the pressure at the upper arm and at the ankle which should be similar in pressure resulting in a ratio close to 1.0.
If compression therapy is right for you or if you want to explore this option more, visit one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians to be assessed and measured for proper fit and style. Consider compression as part of your travel plans to ensure your blood flow remains healthy and your swelling remains minimal.
Contact your local BioPed today!
