Compression
How Does Compression Therapy Help?
What are some of the symptoms that suggest a need?
For many people, the reason you have the uncomfortable symptoms you do, is because the valves inside your veins are not working properly. Putting compression on the outside of the leg causes those valves to come together again, increasing the blood flow return to the heart. This stops the build up of fluid and the pooling of blood in the lower extremities. Increasing the circulation also increases the amount of oxygen flowing to the area, in turn decreasing healing time of wounds and slowing or stopping the progress of neuropathy. Compression also takes some pressure off the heart by assisting it in the fight against gravity’s pull.
Some other symptoms that suggest a need for compression hosiery or support stockings include:
- Discoloration of skin
- Extreme dryness/flaking of skin
- Cracks and fissures in thick calluses
- Chronic fungus problems on toenails
- Skin tight and hard to the touch, swelling, and feeling of heaviness
- Numbness, tingling, and/or burning of bottoms of feet
- Touching the skin leaves an impression or dent that does not immediately spring back
- Pain, aching, and difficulty walking or standing
If one or more of these symptoms are present, you are a good candidate for a compression garment!
