Just, Uh, Check The Oil, And Then Tighten That Compression Hose...

Compression hose: sounds like something under the hood of a car, right?

Not if you suffer chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, lymphedema, post phlebitic syndrome or blood clots in the leg, it doesn't. In that case, you know that compression hose are a simple and effective way to relieve the legs of some pretty serious pain.

Compression hose are very special, sometimes prescription strength (but not always) long socks, which are worn from the foot to the knee or thigh. The pressure is tighter in the foot and loosens toward the knee. The idea is to reduce the swelling in the feet and also decrease the chance of blood clot formation in the legs.

Quick note: compression hose don't eliminate varicose veins--we wish!--but they do help tremendously to reduce swelling, aching and a feeling of heaviness.

As for how they help you save on gas? Well, hey, when you're more comfortable walking, suddenly a stroll to the corner store sounds better than a drive.

Curing Varicose Veins Stockings: Sorting the Myths from Realities

You've got varicose veins. It can't be denied. You'd like to avoid surgery, but how do you discern which advice to take to cure or slow what's already begun?

Do varicose veins stockings really work?

How about applying apple cider vinegar? (Apple cider vinegar cures pimples, cleans toilets and helps you lose weight, is it some kind of miracle liquid? The nectar of the gods? Why, then, is it so cheap?)

Or eating foods rich in anti-oxidants?

Taking ginkgo supplements?

Vitamin E? Coconut oil? Rubbed before or after you put on your varicose veins stockings?

Verdict: Go ahead and experiment with natural remedies, and keep us posted when things work! All the while, communicate with your doctor.

Most importantly, don't neglect to exercise regularly and keep an eye on your food habits, and to comfort your aching legs, wear varicose veins stockings. Take it from us, they help.

"Back to Normal" Maternity Support Girdle Does What It Claims To

It's funny. I made it through all three trimesters of my pregnancy without a maternity support girdle. I just didn't know about them, actually! My back ached, sure, but it wasn't chief on my mind. I was about to have my first child, and this fact was rocking my world enough that the rest of it all just seemed part and parcel. You should have seen the arrangement of pillows I slept on to be remotely comfortable. I had it down to a science.

Then my son was born. And after the glow of giving birth, finally getting to meet him, my back started to hurt all the time. All the time. I couldn't pick him up without wincing. I was so nervous it was something quite serious that would require surgery. Pinched nerve? I talked to my doctor, and was so relieved when he recommended I try a "Back to Normal" maternity support girdle.

Yes, I thought I was done with maternity clothes, and was so excited to get back into regular clothes again. Ask my husband: my mantra was "waistlines and wedges" for the fall. But this "Back to Normal" maternity support girdle made my life a million times better than a new pair of wedge heels. As in, I was actually comfortable, holding my little baby. I like to think of it as a transitional garment, doing real work helping my tissues heal.

Wedge heels this winter, maybe. But the support I need for as long as it takes.

Feel Confident in Varicose Veins Stockings

I’ve always been really proud of my legs and would always wear short skirts. I used to teach ballroom dancing, bartend, waitress, and work as a receptionist in a doctor’s office, among other jobs, and I always wore heels and showed off my shapely calves.

I started to develop varicose veins a few years ago, and it came as a shock, even though I was aware of a family history of this condition. I was only in my 40s, and the prospect of having to wear varicose veins stockings was scary to me. I was very self-conscious about how my legs looked so I changed the way I dressed – but didn’t feel half as sexy or confident in slacks. The worse thing, though, was the discomfort, not the appearance; when I was bartending, my legs would start to swell and it was a challenge to stay on my feet during my shift.

My varicose veins weren’t bad enough to require surgery, but I knew that I needed to wear compression socks to help me stay comfortable – even though I was worried about them being ugly. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by the range of varicose veins stockings that are available. They relieve the swelling in my legs, and actually look much like regular stockings. I’m wearing skirts again and feeling confident.

I Love My Maternity Support Girdle

I used a maternity support girdle when I was pregnant with my first child, and it was a blessing. I was a little resistant to the idea at first – after all, women have been having babies for centuries without this form of abdominal support – but as soon as I put it on, it felt right.

I’ve always been a jogger, and before I started using the maternity girdle, I felt naked and could feel a weight pressing on my bladder – it also didn't seem very safe for bub to be bouncing around without any support. With the support belt, I jogged with my Labrador for a few miles every day and felt completely protected – there was no pressure on my abdomen, lower back or legs.

Pregnancy belts are worn under your clothes (or over your pants, if you prefer) and they hide well – when I was wearing them, no one could tell! They’re very streamlined so they really don’t make your tummy look even bigger than it really is. And my doctor said a maternity support girdle would help my body recover more quickly after pregnancy since it reduces stretching of abdominal muscles.

What are Diabetic Compression Socks?

Diabetic Jobst support socks are thick and soft, lightweight and seamless, and are specially designed for people with diabetes or special needs such as those with nerve damage or tendency towards feet swelling due to poor circulation.

Diabetic socks can be made of 100% cotton or synthetic fibers, or a blend of both, and contain only a minimal amount of compression – just enough to keep them up all day. Unlike regular socks, they contain a comfortable elastic stretch top and no toe seams to allow for maximum circulation. They are made with breathable materials to draw heat away from the feet to prevent or reduce swelling.

Diabetic socks provide extra cushioning for the heel and toes, and are designed to be wrinkle-free so that there’s no bunching, which can place pressure on parts of the feet. Diabetes compression socks sometimes have an anti-microbial treatment built-in to prevent accumulation of bacteria and possible infection.

There are diabetic support socks for men, women and children, which are available in casual, sports and dress styles in a range of lengths (ankle-length, quarter length, and mid-calf). It’s important to purchase good-quality support socks from a trusted medical and compression socks manufacturer to ensure best results.

Accessories for Compression Socks

There are many accessories to help make it easier for you to don and doff your compression socks and varicose veins stockings.

Slip On Butler – A slip-on stand is the easy way to put your compression socks on in the morning. Simply slip the sock on the stand, and then insert your foot straight into the sock.

Compression Sock Aid Oval Extensor – This wire extensor is perfect for people with arthritis and limited bending capabilities to put on support socks.

Donning Rubber Gloves – Support socks are made of delicate material, so for a practical and protective way to put on your support socks, use donning rubber gloves.

It Stays Body Adhesive – If you want to make sure your support stockings stay put all day, try this non-irritating body adhesive to keep your stockings up without the need for garters.

Butler Off Doffing Aid – This doffing aid protects the stocking’s fabric and your skin when you remove compression socks. Simply slide the aid into your compression stocking, push it down to your heal, and slide the stocking off.

Mediven Leg Creams and Gels – Specially formulated creams and gels help tired legs recuperate and regenerate. Simply apply the formula to your legs at night after you remove your compression socks.

Do a Body Good with Fun Compression Hose

Compression hose often come in colors from the "boring" palette of navy, black, white, and taupe. Support socks might be recommended for anyone with poor circulation, from older people to pregnant women to those recovering from surgery to diabetics. The compression improves blood flow, prevents moderate leg swelling, and relieves and rejeuvenates tired or aching legs and calves. They are sometimes also used in sports and can be a great help on the golf course where long walks and periods of standing can lead to fatigue.

But for too long these vital wardrobe items have been treated as strictly functional items, and not as potential fashion accessories.

Thankfully, the new styles of compression socks are vivid and fun and come in every shade of the rainbow, from an audacious bright orange to a hot neon pink. The highly-popular Jobst support socks are also available in sheer and sexy styles.You won't want to hide them under a long skirt or pants! Show off your well-supported legs in a short skirt or shorts and strut down the sidewalk (or even just at home) with pizzazz.

Support and compression hose are now even available in fishnet and lace. These are not your grandma's support stockings!

The Dangers of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. It usually occurs in the leg, though they can occasionally occur in the arms or the pelvis.

Though sometimes occurring without symptoms, a DVT will usually become swollen and painful. Red or discolored skin, as well as a feeling of increased warmth, are also common symptoms.

Of course, since it is technically a blood clot, a DVT has the potential to be lethal. Any time a clot in a vein breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it has the possibility of reaching the lung. Though not likely, a DVT could potentially enter the bloodstream and lodge in a lung, causing a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition that can cause death.

It has been well-documented that a good compression stocking can be the key to averting circulatory problems such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Since they are tight around the ankle and become looser as they go up the leg, compression stockings cause a gentle pressure up the leg, helping to prevent DVTs and other forms of blood clots.

Someone suffering from DVT should consult their doctor immediately. However, for someone concerned about the dangers of DVT, a pair of 8-15 mmHg or 15-20 mmHg compression stockings will go a long way in helping prevent this unpleasant condition.

Prescription or Non-Prescription Compression Socks?

Sometimes, varicose veins can cause more problems than one initially thinks. In addition to being unsightly, they can increase your chances of stroke related to blood clots. Varicose veins form because of faulty valves in the leg veins. Compression socks and compression hose, like Jobst support socks, are worn to facilitate proper blood flow towards the heart.

But how do you know if you need prescription socks or non-prescription socks? First off, it’s probably best to understand that compression socks don’t cure varicose veins, they just alleviate the symptoms that cause them, providing the wearer with better circulation in the legs. So in order to accurately gauge if your varicose vein problem is serious enough for prescription socks, it’s best to see a doctor or vein specialist. Prescription compression socks are hose are much like the OTC compression hose and socks, but they are tighter, making the treatment much stronger. If you don’t want to see a specialist right away, it’s best to try out regular compression socks and see if they make a difference. If you wear them for a few weeks and haven’t noticed a difference in your symptom, then you should take your concerns to a medical professional.

Benefits of Wearing A Pregnancy Belt

We’re well versed on the benefits of wearing seat belts, but most expectant mothers aren’t familiar with the health benefits associated with wearing a maternity support belt. Here’s what to expect: A strong, elastic brace sits around your back and under the belly to create a maternity support girdle by buttressing the bodily strain of pregnancy weight.

How Can A Pregnancy Belt Help?

• Support. A maternity support belt assists the lower back in managing the weight of a mother’s stomach during the course of her pregnancy. The extra pounds greatly strain lower back muscles. Wearing a pregnancy belt alleviates direct stress on the back by structurally mitigating the way weight is carried.
• Protect. A woman’s abdominal muscles are also compromised during the course of pregnancy. Not only does a maternity support belt protect the lower back from strain, but it also functions to compress the lower abdomen, protecting abdominal muscles from unhealthy stretching and tearing.
• Recover. In preventing pain and muscle strain by deflecting the pressure of pregnancy, a maternity support girdle sets up new mothers for a speedy post-partum recovery. Through the benefits of compression, wearing a pregnancy belt post-delivery can heal overworked muscles, and help your body bounce back into shape sooner.
  

Fly Safe with Jobst Support Socks

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially fatal condition where large blood clots form in the legs as a result of periods of immobility, often due to long-distance travel. Older people, smokers, overweight people, pregnant women and people with a history of DVT are particularly at risk. Here are a few tips from the National Institutes of Health for safe long-haul air travel to avoid the chances of developing DVT.

Make sure you do some exercise while on the airplane. Get up and walk up and down the aisle at least every hour, and wiggle your legs, feet and toes while seated to encourage blood flow. Avoid crossing your legs and make sure you wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Wear compression socks, as directed by your doctor. Compression socks are a clinically proven aid which helps direct blood flow upwards and out of danger areas. Jobst support socks can help make any long period of travel more comfortable by preventing swelling in the legs.

Finally, drink plenty of water and avoid consuming alcohol. Depending on your individual health needs, your doctor may also recommend taking blood-thinning medication such as aspirin before traveling.

Varicose Veins Stockings for Spring!

Most people with varicose veins know that compression hose can help relieve pain and prevent further vein damage. What they don’t know, however, is that this effect can be achieved without surrendering fashion, even in the spring! Read on for some of our favorite varicose veins stockings for spring.

Grip Top Compression Hose
Spring is a great time to get some exercise, even if it’s just a quick stroll around the block. But the more you walk, the more you need your compression hose to stay in the place! For this, we recommend thigh-high compression hose with grip tops.

Open-Toe Compression Hose
Warm weather is the perfect opportunity to slip into some open-toed heels. For this, all you need is a pair of knee-high or thigh-high compression hose, available from Jobst Support Socks and other brands. These work great whether you’re wearing your shoes under a dress, skirt, or pants.

Sheer Compression Hose
In the spring, it’s best to wear sheer compression hose that match your skin tone. This will make it easy to wear skirts and short pants, as most people won’t even be able to tell you’re wearing stockings at all!

Meet Your New Favorite Maternity Support Belt

Most women know that pregnancy belts can help decrease stretch marks and back pain during pregnancy, however some expecting mothers need more than just support around the belly. This is especially true for mothers pregnant with more than one baby at a time – those twins and triplets can get pretty heavy!

For mothers in search of extra support, the Prenatal Cradle is an excellent option. This maternity support belt is designed with a pregnant woman’s natural stance in mind, ensuring optimum comfort in the abdominal muscles and back. At the same time, the Prenatal Cradle leaves the arms free and improves lower body circulation, allowing expecting mothers to maintain their active lifestyles even into the third trimester.

For convenience, the Prenatal Cradle features no-snag hook and eye closures that are easily adjustable, even through fabric, and the shoulder straps stay in place to remain discreet under clothes. The belly is left uncovered, making it easy to apply lotions and oils to further prevent stretch marks. And because of the smart design, Mom doesn’t even have to remove her maternity support belt to use the bathroom.

Exploring Your Compression Hose Options

If you’ve decided you’re interested in compression socks or hose, congratulations! You’re already on your way to preventing leg pain and tenderness, and even varicose veins. However, not all compression hose are created equal. Read on to learn the different factors that will help you choose the perfect compression hose for you.

Height: The height of your compression hose will affect your level of support, in addition to providing aesthetic changes as well; some women simply prefer the look of thigh-high or mid-thigh compression hose, while others are partial to knee-high products.

Color: Your individual preferences, outfit, and skin tone will determine whether you prefer black or nude compression hose, or perhaps fashion hose in more interesting colors. Keep in mind that there is still a lot of variation within the black and nude families.

Toes: Some women think they have to choose between wearing compression hose and wearing open-toe sandals, but this is simply not the case. Open-toe compression hose make it easy to get the support you need and show off that pedicure.

Before and After the Big Day, a Maternity Support Girdle Can Help!

Both during and after pregnancy, many women find themselves in need of some extra support. Whether you’re worried about back pain, stretch marks, poor circulation, or recovering from a C-section, a maternity support girdle could be the perfect product for you!

During your pregnancy, a maternity support girdle can help alleviate back pain by supporting the belly. This compression can reduce the instance of stretch marks, in addition to tightening your belly, butt, and thighs.

Maternity support girdles are also beneficial after delivery, as their gentle compression can help your body regain its pre-pregnancy shape by firming your abdominal area and redistributing your weight to the back of your hips. Maternity support girdles can even relieve discomfort during menstruation, and are particularly recommended for women recovering from C-sections.

Like pregnancy belts, maternity support girdles are designed to be invisible under clothes while still looking elegant. The girdles are available with lace detailing and optional thigh coverage or high-waisted support. Many are even lined in cotton, which can prevent skin irritation due to allergies. Plus, adjustable straps, pulls, and lower openings guarantee optimum comfort.

Compression Socks Offer Something for Everyone

Can you imagine taking the same painkiller for a headache and a broken bone? It wouldn’t work – the medicine would either be too strong or too weak, not tailored to your specific condition. That’s why doctors recommend different painkillers for different pains.

Compression socks work the same way. They are available in a variety of classes, from 10 mmHg (a unit of pressure) to over 50 mmHg. Depending on the pressure, compression socks can treat sore, tired, or swollen legs and varicose veins of all stages, among other circulation problems. Compression hose are available in knee-high, thigh-high, and pantyhose styles, allowing you to get the exact amount of pressure to need. Whether you’re suffering from mild aches or serious circulation problems, there’s a compression product out there for you.

How? Compression hose and socks use special fibers to constrict the leg with the most pressure applied to the ankle, promoting the circulation of blood and lymph fluid. Compression socks and hose are also incredibly comfortable, as they feature moisture, odor, and temperate control, as well as reinforced heel and toe areas.

All About Pregnancy Belts

It's no surprise pregnant women experience back pain. After all, there's a little person growing in there! To help cope with the strain, many women choose pregnancy belts — comfortable waistbands you can wear right under your clothing.

At www.SupportSockShop.com, you can find elastic maternity support belt products from ITA-MED's Gabriella collection at discount prices. If you're an expecting mother, you've got to check them out!

Gabriella pregnancy belts are made of a hypoallergenic blend of polyester and lycra, each with a supportive 9-inch back and four metal stays. Each maternity support belt features adjustable pulls and velco panels, allowing it to fit through multiple stages of pregnancy.

With a maternity support belt, you can stay active, go on walks, and run errands with little to no pain. This makes it easier to continue to go to work or spend time getting your home ready for the new member of the family. Plus, the belt's ability to “hold you in” will actually decrease the chance of stretch marks.

Best of all, pregnancy belts are invisible under most clothes. Whether you enjoy wearing pants, sweats, skirts, or dresses, a maternity support belt goes with any outfit!

Jobst Support Socks are Great for Sports!

Picture this: You're on the Jobst support socks bandwagon. You love the way they increase your circulation while relaxing sore muscles and dulling aches. You can feel your legs getting healthier every time you wear them. In fact, you like to wear your Jobst socks everywhere... except at the gym.

Even some die-hard Jobst fans are reluctant to wear their support socks while playing sports, working out at the gym, or jogging around the neighborhood. They're afraid that all of that support-sock goodness will interfere with the exercise process, or that the other gym-goers will notice that they're not wearing “normal” socks.

But these fears are mostly unfounded. In fact, Jobst produces several types of support socks created specifically for athletic use. These babies provide all of the comfort and health benefits of regular support socks, but with added features, like nylon/acrylic blend fabric designed to repel moisture. There's also extra padding on the toes and heel to prevent wearing out, and — best of all — Jobst sports socks are designed to look like classic athletic socks.

You can find Jobst athletic support socks at www.SupportSockShop.com, an excellent online vendor that also sells varicose veins stockings and other supportive products.

Varicose Veins Stockings in the Office

I am a 52-year-old woman with a demanding job as human resource manager. Naturally, I have to look the part, and have always felt most confident around the office when I wear high heels, short skirts and jackets. A few years ago, I started to develop bulging veins on my calves and became very self-conscious about the appearance of my legs. I stopped wearing skirts to work, but I thought, “this is silly.” Surely there was something I could do about my varicose veins.

I talked to a pharmacist and he told me about varicose veins stockings, which help prevent legs from aching and swelling, and also slow down the development of new varicose veins. These support socks work by applying pressure to the legs and getting the blood circulating properly. Since discovering this easy way of managing varicose veins, I’ve been wearing Jobst support socks and stockings, and I wish I had discovered them sooner. My favorite varicose veins stockings are Jobst’s UltraSheer Thigh High Closed Toe stockings, which come in sun bronze, silky beige and black. They relieve my aching legs when I’m at work and stop the swelling, and best of all, they look sheer and elegant—just like the regular stockings I used to wear. I’m back in my short skirts and managing my staff with confidence.

Jobst Support Socks Keep Me On My Feet

I’m a bouncer at a night club and when I'm standing on my feet for hours on end, it can be tiresome. I mean, I’m a pretty big guy, and my poor feet at the end of a shift are all red and swollen. I’m only twenty eight, and I already have varicose veins, for crying out loud! And every week it’s like this. After eight hours of standing, it really was pretty bad. That is, until I decided to get support.

No not support like, “Hi everyone, my name is Benny.” “Hi Benny!” But support like for my feet. After googling around I went to www.SupportSockShop.com and liked what I saw price wise, since, after all, I am a bouncer, not a stockbroker. I found some Jobst Support Socks and decided to buy them.

When they came in the mail after a couple of days, I was pretty eager. During my Saturday night shift I felt much more relaxed and comfortable. My feet didn’t hurt at all, and the pain before that began around midnight. But with these Jobst Support Socks, I really didn’t have to worry.

So if you have pain from standing for long periods of time, check out www.SupportSockShop.com. They helped me, and I’m sure that they can help you.

Maternity Support Belt Vs. Maternity Support Girdle: Which One’s For You?

With all the millions of things you have to worry about as an expectant mother, thinking of your spine safety probably hasn’t even registered on your radar. But think about it--while your belly grows, the strain on your back from carrying the weight can be tremendous. Many women find relief in wearing a maternity support belt or maternity girdle, which can take some the pressure of your lower back. But which one is right for you?

If you’re looking for lighter support that is more breathable, the maternity support girdle could be your best bet. The girdle is basically the same as regular underwear, but with handy bands of elastic sewn in the right places.

If you’re looking for more adjustability and more support, the maternity support belt could be the right answer for you. The belt differs from the girdle in that it’s comprised of a wide elastic band and Velcro to secure it. Although these can be great support for your back, many women find them uncomfortable because they can get hot.

All in all, if you’re having back pain during your pregnancy, it is recommended to try a maternity support belt or maternity girdle, before taking any medication. They are known to be a serious pressure reliever and quite affordable.

For a great selection of maternity support girdles and pregnancy belts, visit SupportSockShop.com!

Welcome to the SupportSockShop.com Blog!

For 14 years, Support Sock Shop has been offering quality compression garments for affordable prices, 12 of these years are online. Yes, we hit the web 12 years ago, even before Google!
Anyway, if you have ever had to shop for compression garments before the days of the internet, you know how frustrating the shopping process used to be. And if you’re still using the yellow pages, you STILL know the frustration.

Without great and helpful sites like SupportSockShop.com, you’re doomed to scour the phone book and drive all over town looking for the right garments. More often than not, you come home empty-handed or with the wrong product.

Now you are free to purchase your support hose from the comfort of home. SupportSockShop.com has Certified Fitters on staff to ensure you’re making the best purchase for your needs.

Support Sock Shop has the top-name brand support garments you know and trust. Whether you’re looking for Jobst support socks, Sigvaris, Jugo or Bauerfiend, SupportSockshop.com has got you covered.

In addition to the ease of shopping from home and a fantastic selection, SupportSockShop.com is proud to offer these products and services to you at the lowest prices. If you have any questions or concerns about products, our friendly and knowledgeable customer service staff is waiting on the line to help.

So besides logging in to SupportSockShop.com right at this minute, be sure to check back with our blog for tips, trick, product features and more!