Compression Hosiery & Orthopedic Brace FAQ

2.Is fashion support hosiery enough to alleviated my leg fatigue?

3.Is there something I can do to relieve leg fatigue?

4.What are the symptoms of leg fatigue?

5.What are Varicose Veins?

6.What causes Varicose Veins?

7.When should I consider wearing Medical Support Hosiery?

8.When should I see my doctor about leg fatigue and pain?

9.What is R.I.C.E?

10.When should I use Cold Therapy? Hot Therapy?

Leg fatigue can affect your health, energy and emotional state. It may also be a symptom of more dangerous circulatory problems that may lead to varicose veins and/or poor circulation.

Is fashion support hosiery enough to alleviated my leg fatigue?

There are several types of support hosiery available to help relieve leg fatigue. However, some types of fashion support hosiery do not provide enough support to help improve your circulation. The most effective types of support hosiery deliver true graduated support, applying the right amount of pressure to your legs where you need it most. And now graduated support hosiery has the look and feel of fine fashion hosiery.

Is there something I can do to relieve leg fatigue?

Elevate your legs after a long day of standing. Wear support hosiery that uses graduated support in the ankles and calves, promoting healthy circulation.

What are the symptoms of leg fatigue?

Tired, achy, heavy-feeling legs and swollen ankles are common signs/symptoms of leg fatigue.

What are Varicose Veins?

Forty million Americans have varicose veins with women outnumbering men four to one. Varicose veins are most often inherited - as many as 80% of sufferers have had a family history.

Varicose veins are abnormally widened and lengthened segments of the veins, bluish/greenish in color, usually found on the inside or back of the legs and occasionally on the thighs. Varicose veins develop when a valve in the wall of the leg vein fails and the blood flows downward again, causing the vein to swell and legs to become achy.

What causes Varicose Veins?

Causes of varicose veins are not entirely understood. Heredity, weakness in the wall of the vein or the valves, congenital absence of the valves, gender, hormonal changes, and our upright position are the most common factors cited.

A raised pressure inside the vein causes it to dilate. This pressure is typically from the forces of gravity, the body’s weight, and the column of venous blood that has not yet finished its trip back to the heart. This is often due to valves in the skin veins and associated connecting veins not functioning correctly thereby allowing increased volumes of blood to accumulate in the affected veins under increased pressure. This extra volume of blood must be accommodated, therefore causing the veins to widen.

In simple terms, it is rather like blowing air into a balloon where the air cannot flow out again, and the balloon swells. A vein also has a certain elasticity in the walls and swells in the same way. Varicose veins are often very obvious, appearing swollen and, sometimes, quite discolored. The swollen veins contain blood that is not flowing properly and ‘static’ blood is not a healthy situation. Additionally, these veins can cause discomfort and can bleed copiously if damaged – even by simply scraping or knocking against the furniture. There seems to be a hereditary tendency to varicose veins, but the condition is exacerbated by prolonged standing, obesity, pregnancy, and activities that induce high abdominal pressure (weight lifting, playing a wind instrument, and very tight clothing). Damage to the valves after a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) can also lead to varicose veins.

The problem is extremely common in both sexes and increases with age.

When should I consider wearing Medical Support Hosiery?

You should consider wearing medical support hosiery if you are suffering from tired, achy legs, ankle swelling or varicose veins. If you feel that your problem is more serious, it is important that you visit your physician.

When should I see my doctor about leg fatigue and pain?

If pain, aching and swelling persist, seek medical attention.

Sometimes a health condition or injury can make your muscles or joints ache or swell. The “R.I.C.E.” method is an effective, at-home treatment that can be applied within the first 72 hours of the occurrence.

Rest – Stay off the injured joint or muscle.
Ice – Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the affected area every two or three hours for no longer than 20 minutes per application.
Compression – Use a health support, brace or wrap to secure the injury.
Elevation – Raise the limb above your heart to promote circulation.

When should I use Cold Therapy? Hot Therapy?

Use Cold Therapy during the first 72 hours after injury to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and decrease blood flow. Use on bumps, bruises, minor burns, headaches/toothaches, skin irritations, and minor strains and sprains.

Use Heat Therapy once swelling or inflammation has subsided. This increases blood flow, helps reduce pain, and helps speed healing. May also be used to help relieve cramps, muscle aches, tension and stiffness.

Both Hot and Cold Therapy are good for muscle “spasms”, chronic pain, and muscle tension syndromes. Ask your doctor if you are unsure which therapy method to choose.

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