Compression Socks for Nurses

The human body is a marvel of evolution. All the feats of engineering humanity have created often pale in comparison to the complexity of our interior functions. But it is a sad truth that our bodies, while incredible, are delicate and prone to damage as we age. And our legs are no exception to this. Tasked with carrying out body weight around all day and competing against gravity, our legs are a powerhouse that needs love and care.

One profession that works harder than most is nurses. These front line heroes spend all day on their feet. They rush about a busy, hectic hospital making sure all the patients receive the care they need. And, as a nurse, it can be all too easy to put aside your own pain and discomfort during a work shift. This generous and heroic mindset is admirable but can lead to some serious issues. Fortunately there are plenty of good compression socks for nursing available that will help you by giving you extra support through graduated compression.

Edema and Other Issues

Any profession, not just nursing, that requires you to spend a lot of time on your feet is filled with risks to your legs. Edema (the medical term for swelling) is a very common issue that is often overlooked and can lead to complications down the line. Circulatory issues. Blood clots. Pain and discomfort and other problems related to blood flow. These are all conditions that can occur if your legs are left neglected and not given the right level of support during your long hours of work.

Like nurses, athletes face similar issues, but one of the methods they have adopted to counter this is the use of compression socks.

Should Nurses Wear Compression Socks?

As a nurse, you are most likely already aware of compression socks. But if not, let us fill you in. Compression socks are exactly what they sound like. They are socks that use varying amounts of compression on the legs to boost circulation and help reduce edema and other issues that might occur.

The human veins have a special valve that stops blood falling back down the leg once it starts its trek up. But these valves can become damaged over time and this will make it increasingly difficult for your legs to circulate the blood while standing upright. This leads to varicose veins and other issues, alongside causing a lot of pain.

Compression socks work by encouraging the blood flow upwards, assisting the body's natural functions. They do this by applying more pressure closer to the ankles. As you go further up the leg, the socks reduce this pressure creating a natural flow of blood up the leg.

While compression socks are often prescribed by doctors to patients who need them, you do not have to be suffering from edema or any circulatory issues to make use of them. They can be worn as a precautionary measure to simply reduce the natural strain put on your legs during a busy work shift.

What Compression Socks are Best for Nurses

It isn’t as simple as slapping on any old pair of compression socks nurses can put on and wearing them for your entire shift. If your legs don’t suffer from any pre-existing issues, like issues with blood circulation, then wearing socks that are too tight can cause more problems than they solve. There are a few different types of compression socks, so you will want to pick one that best suits you and the type of shift you are working, especially if you work long hours.

The most popular choice of compression sock for nurses are over-the-calf compression socks. These socks sit below the knee and are best suited for long, intense shifts at the hospital and help alleviate any leg pain.