Compression Stockings
Graduated compression stockings are vital in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and problem veins. Stockings are needed to help support your leg veins and improve their efficiency in returning blood to the heart. This may help reduce the risk of developing varicose veins or lessen their severity. They can also reduce the risk of blood clots. Moreover, compression stockings are important in post-treatment care of varicose veins for both complication risk reduction and better treatment outcomes.
We provide on-site custom fitting for prescription strength graduated compression stockings. We have a variety of styles and compression strengths to fit everyone’s needs.
Most insurance companies will cover a portion if not all of the cost of the stockings and will typically allow for multiple pairs per year. Your insurance company might ask for a doctor’s prescription for reimbursement, therefore a prescription will be provided to you if it is appropriate.
Exercise
Regular exercise, even in the form of walking, helps our veins bring blood back to the heart. During physical activity, your muscles are contracting regularly which results in a pumping action on the veins. Consequently, the veins are compressed and the blood within them is propelled towards the heart. This helps prevent blood from pooling in your legs which increases the pressure inside the veins and puts them at higher risk of damage and potentially become varicose veins. It is through this same process that regular exercise typically helps reduce symptoms of venous insufficiency and may reduce the severity of varicose veins.
Avoiding prolonged standing/sitting
Standing for long periods of time can create greater stress on your leg veins. During these times, gravity is constantly acting against the veins making it harder for the blood within them to move up towards the heart. Standing still is in fact worse as not only do you have the negative forces of gravity but you are not using your muscle pump to propel the blood and help counteract these forces. What might be of surprise is that sitting still for an extended time can also put stress on your veins. Sitting within minimal movement can still cause blood pooling as your muscles are not being activated. Therefore, it is important that you move regularly, regardless if you are sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.
Weight
It is important to maintain an ideal weight as obesity and being overweight can have negative effects on your veins ability to return blood back to the heart. This is especially true for the veins in your legs. Extra weight puts additional pressure on veins making it more difficult for the blood to move up towards the heart. Extra tissue may even compress and crimp a vein, narrowing the passage way so much that it can act somewhat like a blockage in certain situations.
Smoking
Smoking can also have a negative effect on veins and their function. It could potentially worsen the severity of your varicose veins. Furthermore, smoking is associated with an increased risk of blood clots which can have serious impacts on your vein health as well as your overall health. Finally, smoking can decrease the body’s ability to heal. This is especially concerning when patients have ulcers, rashes, or skin changes from chronic venous insufficiency and more significant varicose veins.