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!

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.

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.