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Compression Garments

Compression Garments

Once used for post-surgery recovery, medical-grade compression garments have been revolutionized with the athlete in mind. They carry a number of health benefits that go far beyond post-surgery healing.

 

At Head to Foot Oasis we use a variety of Compression Therapy Companies in order to suit your needs.

  • Sigvaris – made to measure compression socks, thigh high and pantyhose for men and women
  • Juzo – both Custom made circular OR Flat knit garments and off the shelf wear – semi custom
  • Jobst – made to measure compression socks, thigh high and pantyhose for men and women
  • Lymph Depot – Both Custom night time and Ready wrap garments as well as off the shelf
  • Lymphdivas – off the shelf arm sleeve for Lymphedema
  • Medivan – Valco – both Custom made circular OR Flat knit garments  and off the shelf wear- semi custom
  • Athletic 8 – compression clothing such as running pants, yoga gear athletic tops
  • ACHI by Lunatick Athletiks – made to measure compression socks, thigh high and pantyhose for men and women

 

Athletics8, is compression gear that is engineered for POWER, PERFORMANCE and COMFORT. These garments are proven to reduce muscle vibration and promote healthy connective tissues. The patented fabric also enables you to recover faster and feel stronger by stimulating the body’s lymphatic system. The garment reduces pain and soreness as well as impact force on muscles by 27% which may reduce injury. The COOLMAX feature keeps you cool and dry. Your workout will never be the same.

 

We also promote a more luxurious form of shapewear, Vera Vasi. Vera Vasi is a luxury line of shapewear that allows you to tame your trouble areas with comfort ranging from bras to bodysuits. In addition to carrying all the health benefits of the athletic wear, Vera Vasi also:

  • Slims up to one dress size instantly.
  • Reduces the appearance of cellulite while smoothing curves.
  • Tames trouble spots with medical-grade compression.
  • Keeps you cool and dry with COOLMAX moisture management.

Both the athletic garments and the shapewear are made with patented ComfortWeave fabric. The material improves circulation and may reduce pressure on joints. As the fabric is medical grade, many health insurance providers allow the garments to be claimed under their medical plans.

By building awareness of these comfortable medical-grade compression garments, our hope is that more individuals can take advantage of all the health benefits while looking great!

Compression sleeves and garments are designed to do just what their name suggests: apply pressure to the arm, hand, or trunk to keep lymph moving in the right direction.

 

All of the garments are made of flexible fabric. Sleeves are tighter at the bottom than they are at the top. This helps create the graded (or “gradient”) pressure that keeps the lymph moving out of the arm. In addition, there is a variety of fabrics available: Some feel softer, others stiffer, and some may include materials such as wool or latex.

 

If you have mild lymphedema (stage 0 or stage 1), a compression sleeve or garment may be your initial treatment. For stage 2 and stage 3 lymphedema, the treatment program called Combined Decongestive Therapy is recommended first in order to bring down swelling (or “decongest” the limb). After that, you would wear a compression sleeve or garment to maintain those results. Your lymphedema therapist will help you determine how often you need to wear it (all day? part of the day? just for “riskier” activities?) and for how long. You also may need to wear a different type of sleeve at night for more compression.

 

Some other important tips:

 

·         Get your compression sleeves and garments from your lymphedema therapist or from a durable medical equipment company he or she recommends and works with regularly. “Durable medical equipment” simply means medical equipment or supplies that you use at home.

 

·         Have your sleeve or garment properly fitted by someone with experience. An improperly fitted sleeve can make lymphedema worse by placing too much or too little pressure on certain areas of the limb — which can cause fluid backup to worsen. In some cases, your lymphedema therapist may do the fitting, in others, the medical supply company’s fitter will. He or she will take measurements of the arm, hand, chest, or other area to select the right sleeve or other garment for you, or order a custom garment. Just be sure to ask how many people either your therapist or the fitter has worked with in the past.

 

·         Consider buying two sleeves or garments so you can alternate them for washings. Typically they need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months because they lose stretchiness over time.

 

·         If you’re getting a compression sleeve, ask your lymphedema therapist if you should wear a glove or gauntlet on your hand, too. This is especially important if you’ve ever had any hint of symptoms in the hand — for example, heaviness, tingling, or swelling — no matter how mild or short-lasting. There also is some concern that wearing just a sleeve might trigger lymphedema in the hand. Sometimes a glove or gauntlet is recommended as a precaution until you see how your body adapts to the sleeve. Or, if you haven’t had any hand symptoms, your lymphedema therapist may ask you to pay attention to any changes in the feeling or appearance of your hand.

 

“There are no absolute rules on this, but we really want to avoid lymphedema in the hand,” says Andrea Cheville, MD, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic. “It’s hard to treat and it is much more functionally debilitating — whether you use your hand to type, write, play music, or for other activities. So it might be wise to wear a garment on the hand if you are in a ‘provocative situation’ where you don’t really need to use your hand. But you really have to be counseled individually on this.”

 

·         Avoid applying moisturizers to your arm and hand before putting on the sleeve. Their ingredients can break down the elastic fibers in the sleeve over time.

 

·         Know that insurance plans don’t always cover the cost of compression sleeves and other garments. You can ask your lymphedema therapist or garment fitter about other patients’ experiences with insurance coverage. However, you may have to pay out-of-pocket. The cost of a sleeve or garment can range from $50 to $300, sometimes more for custom sleeves.

How do I know if I need custom?

Custom is necessary when you do not fit in what is considered “standard sizing”. When it is custom is made specific to your needs and comfort. If it fits you properly you have a greater success of wearing it.

What level of compression therapy do I need?

There are guidelines to the level of compression that is right for you. Normally your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate level. However these are some guidelines

15-20mmHg Mild Support Designed to Help:

• Improve circulation
• Tired, aching, fatigued legs
• Mild ankle and leg swelling
• Mild swelling during pregnancy

20-30mmHg Moderate Support Designed to Help:

• Improve circulation
• Tired, aching, fatigued legs
• Mild to moderate ankle and leg swelling
• Mild to moderate swelling during pregnancy

30-40mmHg Firm Support Designed to Help:

• Improve circulation
• Tired, aching, fatigued legs Moderate ankle and leg swelling
• Moderate swelling during pregnancy

What is Flat Knit vs Circular knit?

Circular Knit Compression Stockings Circular-knit compression stockings, like regular ladies' nylons, are knitted on a cylinder and have no seam. The same number of loops per row is used over the whole length of the stocking. Circular knitting is primarily suitable for manufacturing support stockings, stockings for prophylaxis, and Class 1-3 compression stockings. Seamless circular-knit stockings can be made finer/thinner and cosmetically more attractive than stockings produced by flat-knitting.

Flat Knit Compression Stockings (custom made) Compression stockings produced by flat-knit machines are knit row by row, following a knitting pattern. Flat-knit stockings can be produced in almost unlimited shapes and sizes in accordance with the presented anatomical shape, and can also be made to fit extreme deformities. This flat-knit process is suitable for custom-made products, especially for higher compression classes (3 and 4). Because of their perfect fit, the stockings (when measured correctly) deliver a precise level of compression, as well as a pressure gradient, even for extreme body shapes. Flat-knit stockings are thicker and have a seam.

Why would I wear a Compression wrap?

When it is difficult to bend over or put on a compression sock, it may be beneficial to get fitted for a compression wrap. A compression wrap is easy to wear and put on independently. There is a variety of styles and types of this garment.

Reduction kit- helps to shrink a swollen limb and is part of the 'treatment phase' of treatment Edema

Ready Wrap or Juxta-Fit- used in the treatment phase as well in maintenance to easily get on and off independently

 

 

Mild or Moderate Support

may be needed

during pregnancy

Learn more about the sleeve that will suit you by coming in for a free consult at Head to Foot Oasis 905-332-6542