What Compression Stockings do Nurses Wear?

Curious to know what compression stockings do nurses wear and how they use these to enhance their leg health?

Nursing is a profession that demands exhausting working hours, most of which they spend standing. So, it’s natural to wonder how these superheroes endure such a heavy burden on their legs and still show up with a smile the next day. 

When you wish to look for accurate advice on fashion, you imitate Bollywood celebrities because you know they have VIP access to the latest style and fashion trends. Similarly, when it comes to taking care of your health, nurses and doctors are the best sources of information and inspiration. 

Healthcare professionals understand the importance of caring for their health. They are aware of the actions that put them at risk of developing certain medical conditions, and hence, incorporate healthy habits in their daily routine to prevent any damage and take the best possible care of their bodies.  

 Nurses trust Compression Stockings to keep their vein health in optimal shape. 

So, let’s find out what compression stockings nurses wear and understand how these compression stockings prevent the onset of or the progression of any vein-related disorder. In addition to that, we will discuss how to get the best compression socks for nurses, along with the optimal compression level for your needs. But before that, let’s see how compression stockings work. 

How do Compression Stockings work? 

Compression stockings assist in maintaining healthy blood flow from your legs back towards the heart. But how exactly does it execute this function?

Every time our heartbeats, blood flows from our heart to every part of our body through the arteries. The veins then carry the deoxygenated blood back to our heart. But the resistance provided by gravity makes this task difficult. The additional assistance comes from your calf muscles.

The act of walking contracts the calf muscles, which acts as a pump to push blood up and through the legs. Standing, by contrast, doesn’t activate the powerful calf muscle pump since the muscle needs to be contracted to pump blood. Left stranded by the calf pump, the veins are unable to efficiently pump the blood. This invites a range of vein-related disorders. 

Compression stockings provide graduated pressure, this assists the veins in pushing the blood up and against the pull of gravity. When you stand for extended periods, wearing compression stockings can provide additional support to keep the blood flowing efficiently. 

Now that we know the co-dependence of compression stockings and healthy blood flow, let’s understand why compression socks are a must-have in every nurse kit.

Why do nurses wear Compression stockings?

From the time they punch in until they punch out, nurses are on their feet for hours on end, taking care of patients. Compression socks for nurses are the magic helpers that assist their body to withstand 12 tedious hours of the shift without developing chronic vein-related problems.

Benefits of wearing compression socks for nurses:

• Reduces Fatigue

Given the hectic nature of their schedule, nurses don’t have the time to sit back and relax on the job. It’s no revelation that standing for terribly long hours makes your legs extremely tired. Compression socks compress the veins and enhance blood circulation. This prevents the blood from accumulating in the lower legs and feet, thus reducing fatigue and tiredness.     

• Reduces swelling 

Being on your feet a lot can result in fluid build-up and therefore swelling. This can cause a lot of heaviness in the legs and hamper one’s efficiency on the job. Compression socks for nurses apply gentle pressure to the legs, squeezing them in a way that limits fluid retention and helps minimize swelling.

• Helps in muscle recovery

Long and tiring shifts can be strenuous on the nurse’s leg muscles, just like an athlete’s after a game. And just like an athlete, nurses need to give their muscles time to relax and recover. Compression socks help accelerate blood circulation and the supply of oxygenated blood to their muscles. This helps in the recovery of muscle tension. Thus, nurses wear compression stockings even on their days off.

• Helps prevent the onset of as well as slows down the progression of Varicose Veins

 Varicose veins are a common outcome of poor vein health. It’s a side effect of staying stagnant for hours together—blood pools in the veins due to stillness, causing twisted, swollen veins.

Compression stockings are especially useful in ensuring that the veins get the support required to function efficiently. Thus, wearing compression socks regularly prevents the development of varicose veins as well as slows down the progression of the condition for those who already have it.   

Naturally, nurses understand these powerful benefits of compression socks and hence choose to wear them. 

What Compression Stockings do nurses wear? 

There are different types of compression socks varying in compression level, length, and material. Out of those, which are the best compression socks for nurses? 

Support Socks

As the name suggests, support socks provide support to your veins. These types of compression socks provide mild compression (lesser than medical class 1). They are ideal for people looking to stay fit and maintain leg health. It boosts blood circulation and provides relief from tired, achy legs and minor swelling. 

Support stockings provide nurses with additional support to continue taking care of others without suffering pain and discomfort.

 Medical Compression Stockings – Class 1

Medical compression wear is available in different classes, offering compression from moderate to very firm. Medical compression level 1 offers 18-21mmHg of compression and is a popular choice among nurses.

 Compression socks with class 1 compression are ideal for nurses who:

• Already suffer from mild cases of venous disorder such as spider veins
•  Are at risk of developing venous disease due to factors such as genetic predisposition, age, pregnancy, etc.
•  Prefer higher pressure and support than what support socks give.

Nurses understand the importance of preventive measures better than anyone. Hence, they wear compression socks daily because it’s the only way to keep doing their job effectively. 

Who else must wear compression stockings?

Anyone who is required to sit or stand for long periods must make compression stockings a staple in their daily outfit. Many professions demand long hours of sitting or standing; it’s time they take inspiration from the nurses and start wearing compression stockings daily to give their legs much-needed relief. 

Who should wear compression socks? 

• Traffic Police Officers 
• Salespeople 
• Catering staff
• Professors and teachers
• People with desk jobs
• Air hostesses
• Chefs

Conclusion

Our legs need constant movement to keep functioning efficiently. However, If you can’t prioritize activity due to the requirements of your profession, then it doesn’t necessarily have to mean you can’t prioritize your health either. For example, compression stockings allow you to take care of your vein health despite being tied to a desk. 

 Physically demanding professions like nursing can take a toll on your body; it is essential to keep choosing devices like compression stockings to keep your body healthy. Medical compression class 1 stockings and support stockings are two types of compression socks that help keep your vein health in optimal shape and prevent swelling, clotting, and pain. 

Now that you know what compression stockings do nurses wear, it’s time you start following their lead and prioritize your vein health.

Frequently Asked Questions!

 What compression is best for nurses?

Lighter compression stockings like 10-15mmhg  or 18-21mmhg are the preferred nursing compression stockings. Sigvaris Class 1 preventive medical compression stockings and support stockings are popular choices. 

Which brand of compression stockings is best?

Sigvaris compression products are considered the best around the world. You can find sigvaris compression stockings on Novomedshop.com. 

What is the best mmHg on compression stockings for nurses?

The vast majority of young nurses will need light-to-moderate compression (15-21 mmHg). This level of compression is beneficial for nurses who stand all day. Hence, mild compression socks are the best compression socks for nurses.

How many hours a day should you wear compression stockings?

You can wear compression stockings for the entire day, and it won’t harm you. But you shouldn’t wear them while sleeping. They are designed to be worn for long hours, so everything from the material to the style is created keeping the user’s comfort in mind.