It’s no surprise if you regularly finish a nursing shift with swollen feet or ankles and leg fatigue, considering that nurses walk an average of three to five miles during a 12-hour shift.
That means that nurses meet the daily recommended amount of 10,000 steps before you even consider the physically demanding duties they’re required to carry out, such as lifting, positioning, and transporting patients, carrying heavy objects, and standing for long periods of time. In addition, daily personal tasks like running errands, childcare, homecare and transport compound the toll on their bodies.
Although the job is inherently physically demanding, there are steps nurses can take to relieve pain and discomfort. Wearing compression socks not only decreases the amount of swelling in the feet and ankles, but they can also help prevent fatigue, pain, injuries, and varicose veins, along with improving your valvular function. According to Minesh Kahtri, MD, a nephrologist at NYU Langone Health, “The veins of the legs have to return blood upstream right up to the heart. What compression stockings do is improve how the veins work and keep the blood flowing upstream."
If you still aren’t sure whether they’re right for you, read our blog for five reasons all nurses should wear compression socks to help combat the physical toll the profession has on their bodies.
If you’re ready to start experiencing more comfort and relief during your long shifts, we’ve put together everything you need to know about these socks, plus how you can get your hands on the best compression socks for nurses from Pear Compression!
Compression Socks Benefits for Nurses
Standing for long periods of time is an unavoidable part of the nursing and healthcare profession, but standing for hours on end can cause blood to pool in extremities. Here are some of the ways Pear Compression socks for ladies and men can help you do your job more efficiently, without pain and swelling!
Reduce Swelling and Inflammation
When you stand or walk for long periods of time, the weight of your body on your feet all day can decrease blood circulation in your legs. But, when you wear compression socks, these areas will have light, consistent pressure applied, preventing a build up of fluid in the tissues that leads to swelling and inflammation.
Help Muscles Recover
Did you know that compression socks (also sometimes called varicose veins stockings) can help replenish blood flow to your heart and support muscle recovery? When you’re standing all day, you’re essentially exercising the muscles in your legs for long periods of time. The heart pumps blood to the legs but your muscles then have to help get the blood back to your heart. If your leg muscles are fatigued after a long shift, compression socks can help your muscles with the work they need to do to get your blood flowing back to the heart more efficiently. The compression support allows your muscles to heal faster after your shift and the improved blood flow minimizes symptoms like cramping and inflammation.
You might be wondering, “Can you wear compression socks all day?” The answer is yes, you can wear them for as long as you feel you need to. But sleeping with compression socks is not typically advised so remember to slip them off before you go to bed, unless directed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
Improve Blood Circulation & Lymphatic Drainage
The hardest area for blood to travel in the human body is from the feet back up to the heart. Because they gently apply pressure to the legs, compression socks help push the blood from the feet back up the legs and into the heart, helping to prevent a variety of circulation problems such as varicose veins, aching legs, and deep vein thrombosis.
Compression socks also help to activate your lymphatic system (the cellular transportation of water, fats, proteins and nutrients) in order to drain lymph and reduce inflammation in the body.
Reduce Leg Fatigue
Studies show that 98% of nurses say their work is physically and mentally demanding, and high rates of nursing burnout have led 41% of nurses to consider changing hospitals. A lack of sleep, long shifts, and the physical demands of nursing are all contributing factors to nursing burnout.
As any nurse knows, it’s difficult to do your job to the best of your ability when you’re in pain or feeling less than rested. Because compression socks are so effective in reducing swelling and leg fatigue, they’ve become a vital addition to a nurse’s uniform to help make long shifts more comfortable.
Prevent Leg Disorders
A study of two hospitals found that 15.8% of the nurses from both hospitals had varicose veins due to long periods of standing, and many nurses are also at a higher risk of developing blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and edema. Foot surgeon Georgeanne Botek, DPM, notes that many studies show that varicose veins stockings work, particularly with regards to venous problems in the legs. This means that anyone who's occupation requires standing or sitting for long periods of time can benefit from wearing them.
Experts point out that stretching and resting the body are essential for preventing leg disorders, corns, calluses, and pain. But, because nurses work in fast-paced environments where chances to sit down or stretch are few and far between, one of the most meaningful changes you can make to protect your health is to start wearing compression socks.
How to Choose the Right Compression Socks
Before buying a pair of varicose veins stockings for swelling, pain, or preventing leg disorders, you should keep a few factors in mind. Everyone has unique needs, and Pear Compression offers a wide variety of compression socks to help you make the best decision for your health!
Fit
There are a wide range of compression socks measurements on the market, ensuring that you’ll be able to find a pair suited to your needs. At Pear Compression, we offer both crew (mid-calf) and knee-high compression socks. Our crew socks are perfect for those who experience swelling in their feet or need additional ankle support during the day, while our knee-high socks are geared towards nurses and medical professionals who experience swelling in their feet, ankles, and legs.
If you’re looking for knee-high socks, our curated three-pack offers a selection of tan, white, and black compression socks to ensure you can keep them in rotation (and match your uniform) throughout the week.
While your compression socks should be snug, they should never fit too tight. If you struggle to get them on or they leave red marks on your skin, you will likely benefit from going up one size. Our compression socks sizes run from extra-small to large to ensure you can find a pair that fits you perfectly.
Level of Compression
Not all compression socks are made with the same compression. Each pair offers a different level of pressure, measured in mmHg.
When it comes to compression levels, higher isn’t always better. Compression socks are intended to stimulate blood circulation, and a pair that provides too much pressure can lead to circulation problems and skin irritation.
10 to 25mmHg socks are suited to most daily uses and provide protection against swelling, pain and leg disorders. Our superior-quality socks range from 10mmHg to 25mmHg to suit a wide variety of needs, whether you simply want light compression for protection or a more heavy-duty pair to ease pain or swelling.
Breathability
When you’re on your feet all day, breathability is paramount. Not only does a high degree of breathability prevent odors, it also ensures they are able to dry quickly and allow your feet to breathe.
Our extremely soft and breathable compression socks for nurses are made from polyamide microfiber and lycra - two durable materials that help wick moisture away from the skin.
Conclusion
Compression socks for nurses are an essential part of your uniform to ensure optimum wellbeing and prevent pain, swelling, and leg disorders like varicose veins, edema, and deep vein thrombosis.
At Pear Compression, we’re proud to make the best compression socks for nurses available in the market using superior quality materials and sustainable manufacturing processes. Our Italian-made socks are not only comfortable and effective, but also come in a range of versatile styles and colors to match your uniform or outfit, whether you’re on the clock or at home.
With compression ratings ranging from 10 to 25mmHg, our varicose veins stockings offer gentle and effective support in order to improve circulation. In addition, our 360-degree seamless technology means our socks are easy to get on and off, and our carefully-selected materials ensure your feet are comfortable, dry, and able to breathe throughout the day.
While we do make every effort to produce accurate and up-to-date content, the information in this blog article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or local emergency resources immediately. Reliance on any information provided in this blog article is solely at your own risk.