Nursing is one of the most stressful jobs! Nurses take great care of us when we need medical care, but they also have a lot of responsibilities. Not only do nurses deal with injured patients, but they have to be on their feet from clocking in to the end of their shift.
Long shifts (sometimes 12 hours or more!) can cause leg cramps; muscle fatigue; tiredness, pain, soreness, swollen calves, ankles, and feet. The time they stand up also puts nurses at high risk for calf and leg varicose veins (as well as many other chronic conditions).
Fortunately, more and more nurses are finding that compression stockings improve circulation, reduce swelling, prevent varicose veins, and make their feet, ankles, and legs feel good.
Picture of high quality gradient knee socks 30 mmmHg compression level garment designed to improve blood circulation
Compression socks are specially designed socks for what they sound like - they "compress" the legs. Applying pressure to the legs has been shown to improve circulation, help relieve pressure on the feet, prevent certain health problems, and minimize the effects of venous disease on the bodies of nurses who stand for long periods of time.
These specially designed socks are designed to treat ailments where proper blood circulation is very important for nurses, athletes and the elderly.
The best compression socks for nurses are part of the uniform! They protect their long-term health, improve comfort, and look great.
Why do nurses wear compression socks?
Nurses who stand for long periods of time without compression stockings may experience severe circulation problems, swollen ankles, and foot pain. Plus, because compression stockings can help reduce fatigue, they can also provide nurses with extra motivation to complete long shifts when they're tired.
Compression stockings can help massage your calves, ankles, and feet to make your legs feel more comfortable. These socks can help their tired feet recover faster and reduce nurses' day-to-day pain. Since they promote better circulation, some people feel that they increase oxygen levels in the blood, which helps nurses have more energy and stamina.
Nurses who stand for long periods of time are more likely to develop varicose veins. The benefit of compression stockings is that they can help prevent varicose veins from becoming enlarged in the legs.
Additionally, nurses with swollen legs during or after the workday can help prevent potentially dangerous problems, prevent swelling, and help keep legs, ankles, and feet healthy by wearing compression stockings.
Compression stockings can have a huge impact on nurses' health throughout their careers! These socks are a simple, affordable and effective solution to many health problems and are completely non-invasive.
Compression stockings for nursing professionals work by squeezing the tissue in the legs and helping blood more easily defy gravity and return to the heart. As nurses age, their blood vessel walls begin to weaken. This inhibits circulation, hinders the free flow of blood, and can cause blood to pool in the legs and lower extremities.
Additionally, squeezing the legs can help reduce fluid build-up that often occurs in the feet and ankles when people spend a lot of time on the feet. Compression stockings defy gravity and prevent fluid from pooling in the feet, thereby reducing pain, swelling, and discomfort.
Compression stockings work with the circulatory system to create a pulse-like action that prevents water buildup and promotes circulation. They hold the calves, ankles, and feet tightly to provide the support they need to help prevent inflammation and blood clotting.
different levels
Compression stockings for nurses come in different levels of compression, and the one you use depends on your specific needs. Compression levels are measured in millimeters of mercury (or "mmHg") -- the same type of measurement used in devices that assess blood pressure.
Compression levels for socks, stockings and sleeves range from 15-20mmHg to 40-50mmHg, and sometimes even higher in extreme cases.
light pressure
8-15mmHg - This compression level is the lowest and usually sold over the counter. It can be used for light support while traveling.
medium compression
15-20 mmHG - This level of compression is suitable for everyday wear and improves circulation without being too tight. These can usually be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy or online without a prescription.
medical grade
Class I and Class II firm compression
Tier 1 company
20-30 mmHG – Medium compression socks are ideal for nurses with swollen legs or varicose veins, as well as athletes and others who need medium compression. Your doctor may need to prescribe these socks for you.
secondary company
30-40 mmHg – A pressure level of 30-40 mmHg is optimal for nurses or others with symptoms of moderate to severe lymphedema, edema, blood clots, and severe varicose veins. Doctors may prescribe higher levels for some conditions, but this is rare.
How to wear it properly
For nurses to get the most out of compression stockings, stockings, and sleeves, they must use them correctly.
smoothness. This means making sure they don't wrinkle or curl when worn, so they can be as effective as possible. Cuffs or wrinkles can cause rubbing or chafing of the skin under the sock while potentially cutting off blood circulation.
A nurse pushing a hospital bed during her shift, wearing scrubs and possibly compression socks
fit. To work effectively, compression stockings need to be the right size! When buying, it's important to have accurate calves, ankles, and feet measurements to make sure they're buying the right size.
timing. To get the most out of your compression stockings, you need to put them on first thing in the morning. This helps minimize the negative effects of gravity on your legs and keeps them looking their best throughout the day. Wear compression stockings until bedtime. Or at least until you can go home and stand up!
There are many good reasons why nurses should wear compression stockings. If their legs feel tired after a long day at work, compression stockings can help relieve fatigue and add a touch of bounce to their steps.
Options
When it comes to compression stockings, nurses and others have a variety of options to choose from to get the most benefit. Some nurses have found that knee-high, thigh-high, and full-length compression stocking options are also very effective, depending on their health concerns and the reason for wearing them.
Nurses with calf pain often choose knee-high compression stockings. Thigh-high compression stockings are a great option for nurses who want better circulation throughout their legs. Many nurses opt for waist-high compression tights when they want a compression garment that provides support and prevents swelling throughout the legs, buttocks, and stomach.
Prevent and treat many health problems
Compression stockings don't just soothe and relax tired feet, they also help relieve pain and swelling and prevent varicose veins! Compression stockings are designed to treat and prevent many diseases. Doctors prescribe compression stockings, stockings, and sleeves to prevent and treat conditions such as blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and more.
People who are pregnant, have a heart defect, are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, edema or lymphedema, or have recently undergone surgery can benefit from wearing compression stockings, stockings, and sleeves on their legs.
style
20 and 30 mmHg gradient compression knee socks designed to improve circulation. The 20 and 30 mmHg levels are for nurses.
If you thought nurses' compression stockings were only standard white or beige, think again! Nursing support socks are available in many different styles and colors to match your uniform, scrub, or whatever you're wearing! There are many styles to choose from - plain, printed, themed.
The most common variety or style remains opaque or solid-colored compression socks. Opaque compression socks for male and female nurses are comfortable, strong, durable and attractive. Sheer compression socks are also a popular option because they are lightweight, sheer, stylish and look great.
Compression socks made from sports-grade materials are also available. Made from a high-tech combination of wool, cotton and synthetic materials, these compression socks are durable, effective, long-lasting and moisture-wicking. Some brands also offer multiple calf breeds.
What is Support Medical Hose
Some nurses prefer to wear this type of compression garment with their uniform because they feel it makes them look more professional while providing the support and compression they need.
From small community clinics and doctor's offices to large regional medical centers, you can see nurses wearing compression stockings in all types of medical facilities.
Many nurses love these upgraded socks because they are comfortable, effective and complement the uniform.
Furthermore, doctors, colleagues and patients cannot distinguish them from any other type of stockings or socks. Still, no one knows why nurses wear them. If it's for personal reasons, no one even needs to know you're wearing compression socks if you don't want them.
a well-kept secret
The widespread use of nursing compression stockings in healthcare facilities across the country is a nurse's secret! It's something they discuss and share with each other, knowing that spending so many hours on their feet caring for a patient's needs can be stressful on the legs, ankles, and feet.
For older nurses, wearing supportive compression stockings, stockings, and sleeves is something that can protect their health and prolong their careers. Many young nurses with tired feet and sore calves or legs are pulled aside by an older colleague to teach them the secret to keeping their legs comfortable and healthy!
In fact, when it comes to using compression stockings, most experienced nurses agree that they are necessary if you want to have a long and healthy future in the industry. Nurses have been using compression stockings to massage tired legs and keep blood flowing since the garment was introduced in the United States in the 1960s.
While doctors encourage patients to use compression and support stockings to prevent blood clots, inflammation and swelling of the legs, and other health problems, nurses are also beginning to adopt the garments as part of their own preventive and curative regimens.
Choose the right pair
Wearing supportive compression stockings is a great way for nurses to prevent serious health problems, make it easier for them to perform their daily duties, and prevent pain, swelling, and stiffness in the calves, ankles, and feet at the end of their shifts.
The key to getting the most out of your compression socks is choosing the right pair. There are so many varieties of pressure suits that choosing the best one can be a challenge.
The best compression socks for everyday use must be comfortable, soft, lightweight, stylish, fit perfectly, not too tight or loose on the calf, properly reinforced and made of a perfect blend of breathable nylon, spandex or other durable fabrics.
An ideal pair that won't curl or constrict the toes, durable, moderately thick, with the right level of compression for the treatment and prevention of fatigue, swelling, varicose veins and many other serious conditions.
Affordability is the final element that makes a pair of compression socks a great fit for any nurse.
If you're a nurse interested in buying compression stockings but you don't even have time to go to the store, consider buying compression stockings online and have them delivered straight to your home! When you work with a company that cares about you the most, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their compression stockings, so you can't go wrong!