Hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and clinics can become busy during the winter months. As viruses do the rounds, and icy pavements cause slips and falls, medical staff can find their shifts becoming increasingly hectic. With little time to stop for a coffee or take the weight off their feet, doctors, nurses, paramedics, porters and care staff can suffer from swollen ankles, sore feet and aching muscles.
Fortunately, wearing compression socks or stockings during a shift can help improve circulation, prevent swelling and minimise discomfort. This blog explores the benefits of compression socks for nurses and doctors, as well as how to choose the best compression socks for your needs.
Are Compression Socks Good For Nurses And Medical Professionals?
The answer is yes, and not just nurses but doctors, consultants, carers, paramedics, porters, admin staff, cleaners and more. In fact, anybody who spends a lot of time on their feet can benefit from compression socks and stockings. Compression wear is not just for patients!
The Benefits of Compression Socks for Doctors and Nurses
The main benefit of compression socks and stockings is improved comfort during busy shifts. Long periods spent standing or walking around can cause blood to pool in the legs which leads to swelling, pain and discomfort. After several days and weeks of long, busy shifts, this can become physically and mentally draining.
Also, people working in medical settings can experience muscle fatigue in the same way that athletes can. Thousands of steps throughout a shift can lead to the build-up of lactic acid, further increasing tiredness and discomfort.
To combat this, compression socks provide graduated compression to the legs with the highest levels at the ankles, which then decreases up the calf. This compression improves blood flow and circulation, preventing the pooling and swelling caused by long periods of standing. It also helps return blood to the heart, to be replaced by fresh, oxygenated blood that helps the muscles recover and stave off fatigue. What’s more, this also helps prevent DVT, varicose veins and other associated conditions.
What Are The Best Compression Socks For Doctors And Nurses?
As they’re designed to be worn all day, every day, we recommend wearing socks with low-to-middle compression levels. These offer the best combination of compression and comfort, keeping you on your feet for longer and spritely until the end of your shift.
Look for compression socks or stockings with a rating of between 15mmHg and 20mmHg for the best results. Our FITLEGs Everyday Life range is perfect for this. They’re made from comfy cotton and stretch up to just below the knee – perfect for wearing under scrubs. You can find them in plain looks such as black, white, grey and navy, but if you want to bring a bit of character to your day, why not check out our fun designs like Posies, Polka Dot, Rainbows, Heartbeat or Robins.
If you’re looking for a more sustainable option, we also stock compression socks for nurses and doctors made from bamboo.
Who Else Would Benefit From Compression Socks in Winter?
It’s not just medical staff that can feel the benefit of wearing compression socks, anybody who works a physical job and spends a lot of time on their feet should try it. For example, teachers, factory or warehouse staff, postal workers, tradespeople, retail employees and many more undergo the same physical strains.
If you’re looking for compression socks and stockings, either for yourself or someone you love, head over to the FITLEGs shop. We stock a huge range of compression socks for different situations such as everyday wear, athletic recovery or for specific medical needs.