Compression Socks For Nurses

Why nurses need Compression Socks?

Spending all day on your feet can be an incredibly uncomfortable experience. But for nurses, it’s often part of the job. “Nurses spend most of the day on their feet on hard floors,” Sarah Anderson, N.P., founder of PEAK Integrative Wellness, says. “All the walking and standing puts a lot of pressure and stress on the legs.” And over time, that stress can cause pain, discomfort, and swelling, she says.

One potential way to curb this discomfort? Wearing compression socks. “For jobs that require women and men to be on their feet for long periods of time, compression stockings help promote better blood circulation in the legs,” Dr. Sherry Ross, M.D., OB/GYN and Women’s Health Expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, says. Compression socks (also called compression stockings) are tall socks that gently squeeze the legs. And according to Dr. Ross, this light pressure promotes blood flow—and it can potentially help you cut down on swelling, inflammation, varicose veins, blood clots, and more.

What mmHg Should Compression Socks Be For Nurses?

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare systems—they’re stronger than strong. And the best socks for nurses are just as strong. 

The strength of a compression sock is calculated using mmHg. As a nurse, you’re probably familiar with this unit as a way to measure blood pressure through millimeters of mercury. What you may not know is how mmHg correlates to compression socks, and what level is right for you.

Compression socks are categorized by varying degrees of firmness. The higher the mmHg, the tighter the sock. These ranges are typically labeled as follows:

Mild compression – Socks that provide only slight compression will have an mmHg level between 8-15. For nurses who experience leg pain from being on their feet constantly, a mild compression sock may not be strong enough to help relieve symptoms. Mild compression socks are also not meant to soothe and prevent varicose veins.

Medium – Medium level compression socks are typically what most nurses start with. An mmHg measurement between 15-20 should provide moderate relief from swelling, mild varicose veins, and pain from long periods of standing and walking.

Firm – If you’re looking for support socks that pack a little more punch, try switching to a firm compression sock. The firm label refers to an mmHg measurement between 20-30. This type of compression stocking will help prevent and relieve moderate varicose veins, more intense swelling, orthostatic hypotension, and deep vein thrombosis.

Extra Firm and Prescription Grade – Any compression sock with an mmHg level of 30 or higher is going to be really tight. These levels are typically only used for serious medical conditions, post-surgery healing, and severe varicose veins. Socks with a 40+ mmHg level will typically only be available via a prescription. The best compression socks for regular nurses are going to be in the medium or firm range.

What Are its Features?

Compression socks come with a number of features that allow nurses to experience therapeutic benefits. Consider the following criteria when purchasing compression socks.

When well cared for, a quality pair of compression socks can last several months.

Best to wash your compression socks according to manufacturer’s instructions:

– This usually entails hand washing and then hanging/laying flat to dry.

– Machine washing nurse compression socks can cause stretching. But generally it’s ok to gently wash compression socks in the washing machine. (Avoid hot water and use gently detergents only.)

– Tumble drying compression socks may contribute to shrinking. It’s best to hang dry your nursing compression socks. (Avoid wringing out socks because they can stretch.)