Welcome! Active Alignment has merged with Ortho-Kinetics to expand our service area. While Brad Gibbs remains on as a Pedorthic Consultant, Jen Gulas C. Ped (C) and Patrick Purves C. Ped (C) will be providing pedorthic care in the Cambridge and Oakville locations in addition to the existing Active Alignment locations in Waterloo, New Hamburg, and Stratford. Ortho-Kinetics patients, please click here to learn more.
COMPRESSION THERAPY
“The solution is prevention.”
Sigvaris
Did you know visible veins in the legs (varicose or spider) are already damaged and have been that way for a while? There is a high probability more are to follow. When the veins are seen – the damage has been done. Damage and take a long time or can be from trauma.
What if I told you this was preventable? What if I told you, starting today you can improve the circulation and reduce further damage?
Compression therapy is a simple and effective means of increasing blood flow activity in the lower limbs through strengthening vein support. It’s a form of wound care that aims to gently apply pressure to the ankles and legs by wearing specifically designed stockings. These dressings then work to slowly stretch out vein walls and improve overall circulation, which in turn helps eliminate swelling.
Typical compression stockings are generally made from elastic garment apparel, and once put on allow for graduated constriction to begin at the ankle and working its way up the leg. The socks or stockings serve as a replicated muscle, adding some pressure to contracting areas of restricted blood circulation in the leg, allowing veins to loosen up and reduce pain in the lower limbs.
Sufferers of chronic venous disease are the main candidates for compression therapy. Chronic venous diseases arise in people with increased pressure strains the leg veins, which can prompt valves within the veins to fail to work efficiently, resulting in blood flow to back up and eventually pool out in the legs. Chronic venous diseases can occur in any patients who have experienced one or more of the following:
- Leg injury or surgery
- Excessive weight gain or obesity
- Prolonged periods without movement
- Blood clots in the veins
Without effective compression therapy, chronic venous diseases can lead to future issues.
One of the biggest side effects are dilated veins, or “spider veins.” These begin to appear as thin blue lines that can branch out depending on the severity of the blood flow restriction.
Dilated veins will drain your limbs and produce heavy periods of fatigue, which can eventually lead to sudden bursts of pain. Compression therapy is a primary source of treatment that can help alleviate aching and loosen constriction between the vein walls.
