What are compression socks?
Compression socks are specialized garments (different from regular socks) used for a variety of purposes. For example, they improve blood circulation, reduce the chances of venous diseases, decrease swelling, and ensure comfortability. Everyone recommended by the GPs instructions can wear compression socks. Compression socks are designed in different styles and ways to fulfil people’s requirements accordingly. People involved in high-contact sports, workout activities, running, and occupations requiring long-time sitting and standing are generally suggested to wear compression socks. This article is a detailed account of the benefits of compression socks for nurses. Let’s discuss how compression socks help nurses.
Why nurses should wear compression socks
Indeed, nursing is a gratifying occupation with the fact that nurses work to promote wellness and save lives. However, many nurses work hard throughout their shift and are on their feet for almost 12 hours or even longer. Working for long hours does not make you feel tired or exhausted, but it may also have dire health consequences. Nurses’ feet and legs bear the brunt of health and medical conditions, such as soreness, fatigue, swelling, varicose veins, and other illnesses. However, wearing compression socks is one of the best ways to elevate most of these problems. Here are the possible benefits nurses can have while wearing compression socks:
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They reduce leg fatigue
The key function of compression socks is to improve the blood circulation in your feet and legs. This improved blood circulation allows better transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the feet and legs, boosting the energy level. As well as this, the enhanced blood circulation also prevents heaviness, allowing you to stand on your feet for a long time without feeling any pressure.
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They prevent venous diseases
When you work for a long time on your legs or feet, your blood tends to accumulate in your legs and feet, causing your veins to become enlarged and twisted. This condition may cause several venous problems, such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. These venous conditions are more painful and disturb your routines very badly. Compression socks help regulate the pressure in your veins, preventing the chances of blood accumulation in your veins.
As well as this, compression socks provide great support and compression to the ankles, preventing the blood from accumulating in your feet and legs. Consequently, you can keep your legs and feet free from injuries during your long hours of working.
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They help with muscle recovery
Standing for long hours on your feet, as nurses do, can seriously wear out your muscles. However, wearing compression socks helps reduce soreness, boost circulation, and prevent extreme leg fatigue, promoting muscle recovery.
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They decrease foot pain and other discomforts
While working or standing for long shifts, you can hurt your legs and feet, which also become painful. Working with painful legs and feet is difficult and can bring other discomforts and illnesses. This is why healthcare professionals suggest wearing compression socks to reduce pain and other discomforts from your legs and feet. Consequently, you can perform long hours shift without pain and aches.
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They promote dryness and soreness
Standing for long hours can produce sweat in your feet and legs, causing irritations, smell, and other problems. Most compression socks are designed with softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, promoting dryness of the feet and preventing blister development and soreness. This will help you get more support and comfort throughout your long duty.
How to choose compression socks
Today, compression socks are designed in different fabrics and materials that help people accordingly. This is more important to know what you need to wear to meet your requirements. Here we come with the possible suggestions that will help you choose the best compression socks for nurses.
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Fabric choice
If you are engaged in a nursing occupation and want to keep your feet and legs free from pain, tiredness, and other discomforts, you should choose the material or fabric that will not cause blisters over the course of long hours shift. The best suggestion for you is to select the anti-microbial fabric. These anti-microbial socks have moisture-wicking features and, at the same time, do not tend to slide or drop throughout your session.
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Compression level
Compression socks are designed with different support and compression levels to work accordingly. Compression socks with 15 – 20 mmHg compression levels are considered mild compression socks, and socks with 20 – 30 mmHg compression levels are considered socks with moderate compression. However, socks greater than these compression levels are considered socks with extreme compressions. It is worthwhile to visit your GP, who will decide the best compression level according to your needs.
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Size
While buying or wearing compression socks, you should also keep in mind the right size of the compression socks. Remember that compression socks should be neither too tight nor too loose. Tighter compression socks may restrict circulation, and loosely fitted compression socks may irritate you and will never give proper support and compression. Compression socks should be snug enough to provide needed compression and support, maximizing the benefits.
How long should nurses wear compression socks?
Experts suggest wearing compression socks for about 12 hours, especially for the long hours of nursing shifts. However, you should also wear compression socks under the instructions of your healthcare professionals. Remember that wearing compression socks for an inappropriate time can cause other problems.
Buy the best compression socks for nurses
If you are involved in the nursing occupation and are suffering from any problem mentioned above, you should consult your healthcare professionals immediately. They will examine you and suggest possible treatments to avoid such issues. If you are recommended to wear compression socks, we invite you to visit 360 relief, where you can find a variety of compression socks to help manage your leg and feet problems.