Compression therapy is a treatment option for symptom control in clients with chronic venous disease. It is also a key component to the successful treatment of venous disease. Many insurance companies will require you to try compression hose therapy prior to authorizing a more aggressive treatment.
Compression therapy refers to the use of specialized stockings or bandages in the management of chronic venous disease and lymphedema. People suffering from chronic venous disease often complain of leg fatigue, heaviness and aching. The use of compression stockings can help manage the symptoms of venous disease.
Anyone's legs can feel better while wearing gradient compression stockings, especially those who spend too much time in sitting or standing positions. They are also a great option for controlling symptoms associated with pregnancy and long travels. Gradient compression stockings, however, are of the most benefit to individuals with the following leg complaints:
Tired, aching and heavy feeling legs
Leg swelling
Varicose veins
Healed or active venous ulcers
Lymphedema
At Genesis Laser & Vein we require all VenaCure patients to wear compression hose after their treatment. We also recommend wearing them for a few days after each sclerotherapy session. The hose help with healing, decrease swelling and redness post-procedure, and help your legs feel better during the healing process. If clients do have adverse symptoms after their procedure it is often due to non-compliance with wearing hose. We cannot stress enough how important compression therapy is in the success of your treatment.
We also recommend you start wearing your hose as soon as you’re diagnosed with vein disease. The compression hose will help relieve the symptoms that brought you in to see us in the first place. You can begin getting relief immediately while you await insurance approval, and often insurance companies will require you to have a compression therapy trial before agreeing to approval for treatment. If this ends up being the case, you will have started the process already, thus decreasing the chance for delay of treatment.
Gradient compression therapy works by delivering a squeezing effect to the leg that is tightest at the ankle and decreases as you move up the leg. It acts like a layer of muscle squeezing the stretched vein walls together to restore vein flow to its normal state and aid in overall circulation. Compression reduces the ability of the superficial veins in the leg to expand and overfill with blood. This in turn helps prevent blood in these veins from flowing backward causing congestion. Congestion in the leg accounts for the leg complaints, swelling, and skin changes common in persons with venous problems. Compression therapy also helps apply pressure in the tissue under the skin, thereby helping reduce swelling. The compression of this subcutaneous tissue helps move excess fluid (swelling) back into the capillaries (the tiniest of the blood vessels) and helps prevent too much fluid from leaking out of these little vessels.
You want to look for a reputable manufacturer that specializes in compression therapy. There is a wide range of quality and style differences in compression hose. The larger companies with proven reputations have tested the effectiveness of their products and some have superior manufacturing techniques. What this means to you is a hose you can trust and a more comfortable fit. There is also a wide difference in style. The compression hose of today are not like the ones your grandparents may have worn. They come in many styles and colors that will meet the needs of both our male and female clients. No one will even know you are wearing compression hose.
Sigvaris is recognized as an industry leader in the field of compression hose. They are leaders in the manufacturing of compression therapy products. We chose to carry this line for many reasons:
First of all, they have a sizing system that allows for the best possible fit. The multiple options available give us the best chance of giving you hose that fit correctly. This is important because the correct fit and proper compression will give you the best therapeutic result. Our nurses are all certified fitters and we will return any hose within 30 days that do not meet your sizing satisfaction.
Compliance is always a problem with compression therapy. That is why we thought it was important to choose a line that is comfortable and fashionable. Sigvaris hose may be a compression hose line, but we think you will find them so comfortable that you may want to make them part of your daily wardrobe. Many of our staff wear their socks and hose on a daily basis.
We love how they look! Who needs Spanx - try Sigvaris compression tights or pantyhose and not only will you look better, but your legs will also feel great. Sigvaris also has a fashionable line of running sleeves and socks to improve athletic performance. You can have great looking legs that feel good.
Come in for a compression therapy consult with one of our nurses and check out all of the great options.
When donning your hose, avoid sharp fingernails and toenails, and remove rings. Do not cut off any loose threads inside of your hose and avoid oily lotions on your legs prior to putting them on.
To care for your hose we recommend:
Washing hose daily by hand or in a linen bag on the delicate cycle with a cleanser designed for compression hose
Hanging hose to dry away from any direct heat
Avoiding fabric softeners
Do not machine dry
Do not dry clean
Do not iron
Remember, if you are choosing a sheer compression hose they will be more likely to run or damage. If you have extremely rough heels they may not be the best choice for you.
Some insurance companies will reimburse for the purchase of compression hose. We will be happy to provide the information you need to submit your request to your insurance company. We can also provide you with a list of other compression hose retailers at your request.
They are not. Anti-embolism hose, often called TED hose, are designed to be worn when you are lying down, not up and walking. They are used postoperatively to help prevent blood clots. Also, they are uniform in their compression and low in strength. Therefore, they do not promote upward flow of blood and lymph like graded compression hose.
We will go over compression therapy during your vein consultation process. We recommend starting compression therapy while you wait for your insurance approval. This will allow you to experience symptom relief during your wait. If your insurance company requires a compression therapy trial, you will then be that much further along in the process. If you would like to learn about and/or purchase compression hose, you can set up an appointment to meet with one of our registered nurses who are all certified fitters. They would be happy to go over the benefits of compression therapy.
Videos
Introducing Compression Therapy
Learn how compression therapy works and hear from patients who have had success with it.
