My mother has been a physics and maths teacher in a high school for decades. She loves her job, but a major pinpoint of hers is the aching feeling in her legs at the end of a hard day. This case went on, until I recommended to her a pair of excellent compression socks designed for teachers. She has been very thankful, as her condition improved significantly. Now she can enjoy her work even more.
Teachers spend the majority of their day standing in front of the class, it is no wonder that their legs are overworked, and suffer from varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, swelling, and cramps.
Compression socks for teachers are usually graduated models. They can come in a variety of styles and colours. The purpose of compression socks is to aid the circulation of the lower extremities to prevent blood clots from forming. Such compression technology applies pressure to the legs with variable force. The largest pressure is located farthest from the heart, on the ankle. As the socks get higher on the leg the pressure decreases.
DVT is an extremely nasty condition. It is prevalent mostly among people who take flights longer than seven hours. A blood cloth forms somewhere in the circulatory system and travels through the veins. It usually gets caught somewhere in the limbs. However if it gets caught in the lungs, it can be fatal.
A blood clot that forms inside the deep veins of the legs and pelvis is very difficult to diagnose so it is better to concern yourself with prevention rather than treatment.
Compression socks can work wonders in helping the veins return the deoxygenated blood from the limbs to the heart. Some doctors routinely prescribe them in post-surgical patients who are not able to walk for an extended period after surgery, for example after hip replacement surgery.
I recommended my mother compression socks for the exact same health benefits. The benefits to the blood transport system prevent and treat most of the conditions tormenting teachers.
Benefits of compression socks for teachers:
- They compress the limb, decreasing the diameter of the veins, speeding up blood flow.
- The better blood flow oxygenates the tissues, leading to quicker muscle recovery.
- They educe oxygen consumption, increasing resistance.
- Reduced muscle pain, fatigue and onset muscle soreness.
- Toxins that accumulate in the muscles after exertion are drained quicker.
- Prevention of heat loss, blisters and scrapes.
- Reducing the risk of hematoma formation.
- Padding and reinforcement of certain areas provide targeted healing qualities.
Types of compression socks
There are many different types of models on the market. The next part is intended to give you a brief overview of what you need to know for when choosing compression socks to wear at school.
Compression socks are made of a mixture of materials such as elastane, polyamides and other fibers. This combination which allows them to generate pressure on the legs and be elastic and firm at the same time. They can also be made with antibacterial threads (mainly silver) in order to prevent bacterial and fungal infections and avoid bad smells.
Light and normal compression:
Most models recommended for teachers will put anywhere between 5 and 30 mm Hg pressure on your legs. These are considered light or medium compression models. Below 15 mm Hg pressure the models is considered a light pressure one, and it is advised for light, beginning cases of conditions, or prevention. Medium models are advised for other cases. Sometimes a doctor might prescribe models with over 30 mm Hg pressure.
Teachers should wear compression socks:
- If your legs ache at the end of your workday.
- If varicose veins of moderate size appear.
- If your calves and ankles are swollen.
- If you travel for long distances with your class.
- For any flight longer than seven hours.
Strong compression is recommended to treat more severe venous diseases and complications. It is important to consult with a physician before purchasing any kind of compression stockings. The socks with the ability to exert over 30 mm Hg pressure can be purchased with prescription only, thus they are commonly referred to as ‘medical grade products’.
Compression garments can be purchased in different shapes and sizes, from soft to strong, long compressions with a height that goes from the knee to the top of the ankle, with open and closed ends.
A piece of advice
Although compression socks are available for purchase in most pharmacies, healthcare stores and Amazon, it is best to consult with a medical professional before you commit to any model. This is especially the case if you have a history of circulatory diseases.
Before choosing to use compression socks it is preferable to consult with a doctor in order to establish if you need a model with special design. If you have health insurance, consult with the provider. Some medical grade models are covered by certain types of insurance.
To see whether a particular pair is a good fit either check the size chart on Amazon, or go to your local store and try them on in person.
In addition to using compression socks an active, healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preventing circulatory diseases. Don’t be overweight, decrease the time spent standing or sitting without rest; restrict the use of tight garments and high heels. If you use lotion or cream on your legs, allow it to dry before putting on the socks. Use talcum powder, this can help the garment slide up.
Get at least two pairs of socks, and rotate them. Replace them from time to time. In addition to buying high quality models, getting a bag of cheap options might be a good idea. This way you always have replacements at hand.
The three best compression socks for teachers
Rikedom Sports Graduated Compression Socks for Men and Women
This model is in the mid range compression range, as it puts anywhere between 15 and 20 mm Hg graduated compression on your legs. Its anti-odor material keeps the unwanted smells at bay, which is a huge plus considering you have to wear it for several hours per day. It has excellent support. Adjustable long cuff elastic bands keep the socks in place and sitting firmly on your legs. It comes with extra soft foot padding to absorb the impact of the steps you take in class. It has a seamless toe design, which prevents blisters and eliminates all friction at the toe area. An excellent option for all teachers for a very reasonable prize.
NEWZILL Compression Socks for Men and Women
With between 20-30 mm Hg graduated compression put on the legs, these socks stimulate blood flow and help treat swelling and other conditions such as spider veins commonly associated with the job of teachers.
The biggest positive of this product is the NEWZILL material the company created with great care to prevent fungi development and bacterial infections. The products with the trademarked Clima-Pro system that help keep your legs dry and moisture-free.
As the product is advertised for athletes, runners and nurses too. This makes it excellent for teachers who walk around a lot. If the Clima-Pro technology can keep the legs of long distance runners clean, it will for sure do a good job at keeping a hard working teacher’s legs dry. If it can help the circulatory system enough that the aching muscles of runners can repair themselves, then it will do a great job healing the aching legs of school workers.
Dr. Motion 6 Pairs Women Graduated Compression Socks
These models are excellent to stock up on compression socks. You can have six pairs of excellent quality products for a very reasonable price.
These models are designed specially to relieve aching legs. They sit very tightly on your skin, and put enough pressure on the muscles to reduce swelling significantly. The socks only put a low 8-15 mm Hg amount of pressure on the legs, which makes them a mild compression model.
These models are made of 14% acrylic, 24% cotton, 35% nylon and 27% spandex. This combination creates a natural, comfortable but tight feel while still giving the product enough flexibility to adapt to your movement and the shape of your leg.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you choose a great product and valuable information on which models are the best compression socks for teachers. I hope that if you suffer from varicose veins, aching legs or swelling, the advice you’ve found here will be able to help you and you will be free of your condition just like my mother is now.