How to Measure for Compression Stockings
The right fit is what makes compression stockings work. Too loose, and you won't get the pressure your doctor ordered. Too tight, and they can dig in, roll down or be hard to wear. Measuring takes about five minutes, and here's how to do it.
Diet, Lifestyle and Self-Care with Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a lifelong condition, but small daily habits make a big difference in how you feel. Along with compression and therapy, what you eat, how you move and how you care for yourself can help keep swelling under control.
Understanding Insurance: Deductibles, Coinsurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs
"Covered by insurance" rarely means free. Most plans share the cost of compression garments and pumps with the patient through a deductible, coinsurance or copay. Knowing these terms helps patients plan ahead and avoids surprise bills. Therapists can share this page with patients who have questions about cost.
What to Expect at Your Compression Fitting Appointment
A good fit is the most important part of compression therapy. Your fitting appointment makes sure your garment applies the right pressure in the right places and is comfortable enough to wear every day.
How to Put On and Take Off Compression Garments
Compression garments are snug by design, so putting them on takes practice. The right technique and a few simple tools make it much easier, and they help your garment last longer.
Living with Lipedema: Comfort and Lifestyle Tips
Lipedema is a chronic condition that causes painful, uneven fat buildup, usually in the legs, hips and sometimes the arms. It affects mostly women and often starts or worsens during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. It is not caused by overeating or lack of exercise, and lipedema fat usually doesn't respond to dieting the way regular fat does.
Flat-Knit vs. Circular-Knit Garments for Lipedema
For most people with lipedema, flat-knit compression is the better choice, especially as the condition progresses. The way a garment is knitted changes how it fits, how it feels and how well it holds up on legs and arms with uneven shape.
Compression for Varicose Veins and Leg Swelling
Compression stockings are one of the most effective everyday treatments for varicose veins, tired legs and swelling. They gently squeeze your legs, with the most pressure at the ankle and less moving up the leg. This "graduated" pressure helps your veins push blood back toward your heart instead of letting it pool in your lower legs.
Skin Care and Lymphedema: Protecting Your Skin Every Day
Good skin care is one of the simplest and most important ways to manage lymphedema. When lymph fluid builds up, the skin in the swollen area becomes stretched, dry and less able to fight off germs. Even a small cut or bug bite can turn into a serious infection called cellulitis, which can make swelling worse.
Using Your Compression Pump at Home: Tips and Troubleshooting
A pneumatic compression pump works best when you use it consistently and correctly. These tips help you get the most from every session and solve common problems.
Compression Stockings After Surgery and for Preventing Blood Clots
After surgery, your risk of a blood clot in the leg, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), goes up. Being less active, lying in bed and the surgery itself can all slow blood flow in your legs. If a clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a medical emergency.