Working in healthcare can be as rewarding as it is demanding. Nurses, doctors, and hospital staff are known for the good they do and for going above and beyond for their patients. However, the long, hectic shifts working in healthcare can take a toll on your body and physical comfort.
The good news is that there are options to help manage the strain of being on your feet, and compression socks are one of the best. For healthcare workers, this easy and accessible option is a secret weapon for those 8, 10, or even 12 hours shifts.
Hospital Shifts and Leg Pain
Of all the professions in healthcare, nurses and doctors have some of the longest hours and most active schedules. Long shifts can have you walking miles upon miles around the hospital, so it’s no surprise that they often end up complaining about sore feet and aching legs.
As soon as you stand up in the morning and start your day, it’s natural for your lower extremities to slowly start to swell. Your heart works hard to pump the blood away from your feet, but if you have weaker circulation, blood can start to pool over time. This can lead to puffiness, a feeling of tightness or heaviness in the legs, and can even exacerbate varicose veins. These symptoms will likely worsen with prolonged periods of standing over the years, making leg discomfort a real issue that nurses have to deal with at some point in their career.
When it comes to managing the pain and lethargy of being on your feet all day or overnight, compression socks for healthcare workers are an excellent option. But how do they work?
What are Compression Socks?
Compression socks are specialized garments that are made with firm elastic fibers to provide even pressure to the feet and legs. While they were once considered boring and reserved for the elderly, they are fast becoming staple for people who need circulation support such as nurses, athletes, frequent travelers, and those who are pregnant.
Compression socks work by supporting the venous structures inside the leg, preventing pooling blood and the subsequent swelling and discomfort that comes from hours of standing. Most compression socks have graduated compression, meaning they are firmest at the feet and ankles, and the level of compression gradually tapers off up the leg. While there are different levels of compression socks available that are suited to different medical conditions, most nurses will benefit from the mild daily compression of 15-20mmHg.
Benefits of Compression Socks for Healthcare Workers
Nurses and doctors spend their days supporting all of us, so it's only fair they get some support in return. Compression socks for healthcare workers can help relieve discomfort during long shifts, and actually prevent some complications that can come with spending hours standing.
1. Decrease swelling and improve comfort in the legs
The discomfort caused by marathon shifts can’t get in the way of the vital services healthcare workers provide, so it's important to find support solutions that make each day more manageable. By keeping the swelling down, nurses and doctors can keep gliding between patients from sunrise to sunset.
2. Prevent varicose veins
Varicose veins are twisted or enlarged veins that occur from damage to the vein structures, usually in the legs. They can be both unsightly and uncomfortable, and result from months or years of trudging through hospital halls. Compression socks help boost the circulation of the legs, preventing the chronic venous insufficiency that can lead to spider veins and varicose veins.
3. Keep you feeling alert
Throbbing feet on a long shift can be incredibly distracting and cause you to feel more tired than you actually are. On top of that, it can contribute to a condition called orthostatic hypertension that can make you dizzy after standing up, which may be extremely disconcerting and unsafe in an environment full of sharps. Compression socks can help keep your mind focused and your attention clear all day.
Crazy Compression to the Rescue
If you are a nurse that suffers discomfort from swelling of the legs, it's important to develop strategies that can keep you healthy and comfortable over your whole career. Compression socks for healthcare workers are an invaluable tool to support you on those 12 hour shifts, and Crazy Compression has made them more fun than ever.
Crazy Compression uses advanced compression technology to create graduated compression socks that boost circulation and provide support to the feet and lower legs. With a huge range of fun colors and designs for both men and women, they have a pair of compression socks for every nurse, doctor or hospital worker out there. And with wide calf options, there’s a fit for everyone, too!
Find relief from aching, swollen legs with the power of compression. Before your next shift, make sure to stretch, slip on some comfortable shoes, and don’t forget the Crazy Compression socks to stay healthy, comfortable and alert!
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