Nursing

Why Compression Socks Should Be in Every Nurse's Wardrobe

Person wearing knee high, blue, striped socks
It's no secret that nurses save lives. They spend all day and all night on long shifts, staying on their feet for hours. But sometimes, they're so busy caring for other people that they forget to care for themselves. Nurses need to take care of their legs. During these stressful times, when beds are full and the ER is packed, more is required from our healthcare workers than ever; compression socks can help reduce fatigue, swelling, and varicose veins, aid muscle recovery, and bring a smile to a weary face.


Here are just a few reasons why nurses need compression and why you should consider buying compression socks for the nurses in your life.

Compression socks reduce leg swelling and fatigue

Nurses work 8, 10, 12, and sometimes 16-hour shifts, meaning they are on their feet longer than not. Because of that, many nurses experience heaviness and fatigue in their legs, which is linked to swelling. Swelling happens when blood and lymphatic fluid pools in the legs simply because of gravity: when you're standing, your legs are below your heart, and even though your body naturally circulates blood throughout your whole body, if your legs are beneath you all day, blood is bound to accumulate in your legs. Here's how compression socks help.

Compression socks apply pressure to the wearer's feet and ankles to keep the blood flowing back from the legs to the heart. That extra boost in blood flow counteracts the pooling in the legs, reducing swelling and fatigue. A nurse's job is hard enough; they don't need to feel even more exhausted. Having a pair of compression socks ready to wear for every shift will help them stay alert and energetic, which will help them perform their job better.

Why is it crucial for nurses to promote better blood flow to their feet and legs? It's because the continuous pressure on veins from long shifts on their feed could lead to:

  • Chronic back pain
  • Varicose veins
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Fatigue
  • Cardiovascular disease
Why do we encourage people and nurses to wear compression socks to combat varicose veins? When left untreated, varicose veins can lead to:
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Complications such as leg ulcers, swelling, or skin discoloration

Compression socks help muscles recover

Compression socks provide a lot of relief for nurses during their shifts, but the benefits they offer outside the workplace are just as significant. Whether standing for 12 hours or working out for 2, your muscles need time to recover. Nurses and athletes can benefit from compression socks, which help the muscles recover quickly by keeping the blood flowing.

Athletes can take a few days off to recover every week, but not many nurses can do the same in the face of a global pandemic. That's why a quick recovery is necessary: nurses can't move as quickly or focus on their patients if their leg muscles scream at them to rest. Wear compression socks to improve blood circulation so your muscles can receive the necessary care and recover appropriately.

To Boost Energy

Pulling all-nighters is hard. Pulling all-nighters every single night is downright exhausting! Fatigue is dangerous for nurses, especially those in the critical care unit. While healthy sleep, diet, stress reduction, and exercise are the most significant factors when it comes to keeping energy levels stable—with an occasional dose of caffeine! —compression gear can do its part to energize tired feet and ankles.

For example, studies show that sports performance is measurably increased when athletes wear compression socks while working out, helping to reduce post-workout soreness. That's because when blood flow is improved and swelling is diminished, even tired and overworked muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need to function at their best.

Well-designed compression hosiery helps their muscles feel less achy while keeping their energy up throughout those long shifts (along with that espresso shot, of course).

What Style Is Best for Nurses?

The best style of compression socks for nurses that are the most comfortable and beneficial are knee-high compression socks. Additionally, the compression must be graduated, not just tight all over. The most helpful compression should be between 15-20mmhg, and the compression socks need to be without seams for toe comfort as well as guaranteed to be rugged to combat the rigorous work nurses do.

What Else Nurses Can Do to Pamper Their Feet

Aside from compression socks, the best thing a nurse can do to pamper and take care of their feet is to ensure they wear shoes that support their feet and legs. Many orthopedic surgeons agree that when nurses combine compression therapy with excellent supportive shoes, this combination can often eliminate many of the discomforts that come from being on their feet and legs all day.

In a perfect world, nurses would come home from an exhausting shift and enjoy a long hot bath and a foot massage from a caring partner. Alas, the world isn't perfect, which isn't always true. However, there are a few other things nurses can do in conjunction with compression and supportive shoes. They can:

  • Avoid going barefoot on hard floors when getting home. Change into supportive and soft slippers for post-recovery.
  • Hot soak their feet in a bath or foot bath with Epsom salts.
  • Hydrotherapy: alternating between soaking feet in cold and very cold water to stimulate recovery, blood flow, and better circulation.
  • Elevation, rest, and enjoying time off.

Why Choose Our Compression Socks?

Are you wondering why you should choose our socks over the competitors? Besides the fun designs, there are several reasons that keep our customers coming back again and again.

Our 1-20mmhg TRUE graduated compression socks and sleeves are made here in the United States. With over 40 years of experience in hosiery manufacturing, we have worked hard to create a product that stands out from the rest, delivers excellent results, and looks fantastic.

Our innovative knitting technique creates graduated compression socks made from lightweight, breathable micro nylon with moisture control. That means your feet will stay dryer and more comfortable all day long.

We are proud of our socks and offer a lifetime guarantee to back up our claims.

 

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