5 Reasons Nurses Should Wear Compression Socks

Nurses are accustomed to working long hours spent on their feet. And while they are spending time to look after their patients, nurses cannot forget to look after themselves. Any nurse will tell you the pain and swelling they’ve had after a long day is though, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Just in case you need more convincing, we’ve found five reasons why nurses should wear compression socks.

  1. Reduced Soreness: When the body goes through long periods of sitting or standing, there will be a buildup of lactic acid due to the improper blood flow. This lactic acid is what causes the legs to become sore and sensitive. However, wearing compression socks will allow the blood to flow properly and prevent the buildup of lactic acid, which means, no more soreness.

 

  1. Reduced Swelling: According to NCBI.nih.gov, compression socks will significantly decrease swelling in the ankles and legs. Wearing compression socks with a graduation of 11-30 mmHG will prevent edema, the medical term for the swelling, if you are in an occupation that requires sitting or standing for long periods of time.

 

  1. Reduced Risk of Spider Veins and Varicose Veins: Standing for long periods of time will increase the risk of developing spider veins and varicose veins. Yet, when you wear compression socks, you will give your legs the proper pressure they need to maintain a healthy blood flow so you can reduce the risk of developing these venous conditions.According to WebMd.com, wearing compression socks will directly slow and even prevent the development of varicose veins and spider veins.

 

  1. Increased Blood Flow: The main benefit of compression socks is the increase in blood flow that is given to the wearer. Maintaining a healthy blood flow and circulation will aid in a variety of ailments as well as ensure that your legs are healthy.

 

  1. Colorful and Helpful:
    Nursing compression socks are not only helpful, they can be colorful and unique. This gives you a chance to brighten up your scrubs, even in the most strict dress codes. In addition, compression socks can offer nurses:

    • Breathability-so you don’t get hot or itchy
    • Staying in place-won’t slide or roll down like normal socks
    • Some are anti-microbial, which means they won’t stink-even after a 12 hour shift
    • The best graduated pressure for nurses is 20-30mmHg-which are widely accessible and affordable.

Compression socks are a must have for any nurse. They will help keep your legs healthy and comfortable during your long hours on your feet and even after you’re done for the day. As a nurse, you rely on your legs each and every day to perform your duties and take care of patients. Give your legs a little love and keep yourself healthy with a pair of compression socks added to your daily uniform. Your legs will thank you!

Are you a nurse who recently switched to wearing compression socks? What differences have you noticed in your leg health?

About the Author: Sarah is the Editor of Compression Info, your go-to resource for information on compression wear.

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.