How Compression Socks for Varicose Veins Can Help Food Service Workers
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
Janice* has been suffering from varicose veins for months. On top of that, she works on her feet for 10 hours a day as a waitress at a local restaurant. She’s heard that getting off her feet more will help alleviate the pain, but that’s easier said than done when trying to make a living. That’s when her vein doctor suggested compression socks for varicose veins, adding that she wears them throughout the day—especially during her long shifts.
There’s no denying that food service jobs demand many hours of standing, which can do a real number on the legs and feet of servers and wait staff. Per several studies, prolonged standing causes blood to pool in the legs and increases pressure within veins. As a result, veins weaken and stretch, causing varicose veins. Wearing compression socks for varicose vein symptoms helps improve circulation and decrease swelling.
Compression socks for varicose veins can help with these common symptoms:
- Achy or heavy feeling in your legs
- Throbbing and swelling
- Muscle cramps
- Pain that worsens after standing for long periods
- Itchy skin
- Skin discoloration around a varicose vein
- Burning sensation
- Bruising
Can Compression Socks Help Varicose Veins?
In a word yes. And this is especially true for food service workers such as servers, cooks, bartenders, waiters, and hostesses. You see, while some vein issues in the legs are hereditary, others are directly associated with lifestyle and activities. Varicose veins affect roughly 25% of men and women in the United States. That includes food service workers whose work schedule involve standing for most of the day without a chance to rest, sit down, and put their feet up. This increases their susceptibility to leg pain and vein problems.
Compression socks for varicose veins are a great conservative treatment option, as they support your legs by applying gentle pressure. This helps with circulation, swelling, and painful legs. Wearing them during long work shifts, plane flights, and even while exercising helps limit symptoms from progressing or getting worse.
The great thing about compression socks for varicose veins is that they benefit more than just food service workers. They can be worn in a variety of situations, including:
- Anytime you’re expected to work long work shifts on your feet
- During pregnancy, to reduce swollen feet
- When exercising, wearing them reduces soreness by increasing blood flow
- To keep varicose veins from getting worse
- During long plane flights, they help prevent blood clots
- After surgery to prevent deep vein thrombosis
Yes, it’s true that some varicose vein patients don’t experience painful symptoms and are simply upset that their legs now look worse because of varicose veins. But it’s worth noting that leaving your body in a constant state of stress could eventually push you from an asymptomatic state to feeling like your legs are constantly tired, heavy, and occasionally painful. This is the benefit of compression socks.
Do Compression Socks Have Side Effects?
Compression socks for varicose veins can come with some risks, including improperly cutting off blood circulation and causing skin issues such as skin irritation, redness, and minor irritations. They can also cause chafing, cuts, and bruises. With all of that said, most of these side effects are chalked up to wearing them incorrectly (wrong size, wrong type, etc.), overusing them, or choosing ones that don’t fit properly.
Your provider at StrideCare is a great source for compression socks and can ensure you wear the right ones. Along with their expert guidance, here is what you should be looking for when shopping for a pair.
- They should be snug but not too tight
- They should be tighter around the ankle and gradually loosen as it goes up the leg
- Flat seams will be more comfortable inside your work shoes
- Check with your doctor about which compression level is best for your situation
What Are Other Varicose Vein Treatments for Food Service Workers?
Keep moving — Moving around on the job promotes increased blood flow throughout your body and in the veins in your lower extremities. Granted, you are still on your feet, but by moving around and not staying rooted in one place for too long, you have a better chance of improving your varicose vein symptoms.
Avoid high heels — While they look great, high heels change your natural walking motion by altering the calf pump, which is supposed to propel the blood to the deep veins and up to the heart. The result is varicose veins. Low-heeled shoes provide your feet with better support and work better. Heels that are 2 inches or lower are best.
Exercise — Exercise is something you can incorporate into your lifestyle while not at work. Walking helps to get the blood circulating and to reduce swelling, and swimming takes the pressure of gravity off the body to allow the muscles and veins to rest and circulate blood and fluids more easily.
Rest your legs as much as you can — About once every two hours, sit down and elevate your legs. This can be accomplished on a quick respite in the break room or at lunch. Ideally, you should raise your legs higher than your heart to allow for blood flow and fluid to stop pooling in the veins and ultimately cause unnecessary swelling.
Compression Socks for Varicose Veins at StrideCare
It’s important to recognize varicose veins early and seek help from a medical professional who can guide you on your next steps. StrideCare has long been a leader in performing leading-edge procedures to treat vein disease and diagnose conditions such as varicose veins. The vascular physicians at StrideCare are board-certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology.
If you need medical grade compression socks, or if your veins need further treatment, the experts at StrideCare will recommend an individualized plan to help you get the best results. Request an appointment for a vein disease evaluation to discuss your options.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
*Patient stories are true. Names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.
