When you’re pregnant, you have to think about not only your own health but also that of your baby. There are so many strong opinions about pregnancy and motherhood that it can be hard to cut through the hype and judgments to get to the facts. If you’re wondering how to stay healthy during your pregnancy, below are 17 evidence-based tips that every expectant mom should follow. 1. Make a birth plan. Do you want an epidural in the hospital or a natural birth at home? What about a doula? Will you schedule a C-section? Your pregnancy involves your body and life as well as that of your baby, so it’s important to think through these decisions well before the...
If you’ve got a major surgery coming up, especially if that surgery affects your lower leg, your doctor may recommend wearing compression stockings after surgery to help boost your recovery. In fact, graduated compression stockings offer four distinct benefits for post-surgery patients, from reducing swelling to protecting against DVT. A caveat before we break down these four advantages: No matter how beneficial compression stockings are, you should not wear them after surgery without the explicit instruction of your doctor. If you think you might benefit from wearing compression stockings after surgery, but your doctor hasn’t prescribed them, talk to them before you decide to get yourself some. 1. Promotes Circulation Your movement may be limited after surgery, so the surgical...
There are five main compression sock levels, from mild to severe, and sometimes it can be tough to pinpoint exactly what level you need. To help clear up the confusion, we’ll be taking a deep dive into each of the five levels over the coming months. Today, we kick off our series with a primer on mild compression socks. What Is mmHg? mmHg is an abbreviation for “millimeters of mercury.” In science terms, one mmHg is a unit of pressure equal to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury one millimeter high at 0°C and under the acceleration of gravity and nearly equivalent to 1 torr (about 133.3 pascals). While you may not realize it, mmHg is commonly used...
White collar office jobs can be easier than manual labor in many ways, but there are still many negative side effects a regular office job can have on your health. In particular, sitting all day slows down your circulation, which can contribute to swelling, varicose veins and even deep vein thrombosis. Wearing compression socks to the office is one way to give your circulation a boost even if you’re stuck at your desk all day. Here are six benefits that come from wearing compression socks at work: 1. Improves Circulation You know by now that sitting all day is bad for you, but if you don’t have a choice at your job, you’re probably wondering how to improve circulation in...
If you’re wondering how to improve circulation this summer, wearing compression socks is an excellent way to boost your blood flow, fight swelling and more. However, many people associate compression socks with feeling hot and sweaty and are tempted to forgo compression therapy completely in the summer months. While this impulse is understandable, summer is one of the most important times of the year to wear compression socks. Thankfully, there are several practical solutions that will make wearing compression socks in the summer more bearable (and even enjoyable!), from choosing the right fabrics to selecting shorter designs. Here are our five best tips for keeping cool while wearing compression socks in the summer: Pick your material wisely. Not all clothes...
