Compression therapy

Ask the Pharmacist

By Stefanie Tagg

Pharmacist at James Bay Thrifty Foods Pharmacy

Most of us have that feeling in our legs when we've sat too long: tight, achy muscles in need of a good stretch or some exercise. What you may not realize is that there could be a potential risk that may require prevention strategies or treatment.

For people with swollen legs (edema), chronic venous disorders (such as varicose veins), leg swelling due to pregnancy, or traveling for prolonged periods of time, blood can pool in the veins, damaging the valves in the veins and causing clots to form. This clot is referred to as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Symptoms of DVTs can range from nothing to leg pain and tenderness, swelling in calf, and increased warmth and redness of the leg. Risk factors for DVT include prolonged sitting (such as long plane flights), major surgery, prior DVT, increased age, smoking, excessive weight, high estrogen, and other diseases. DVTs can result in a pulmonary embolism which is a clot that travels into the lungs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you think you may be at risk.

Depending on your situation, graduated compression stockings may be one solution. These look like socks and apply pressure to the leg with the highest pressure at the ankle and lessening in pressure as it goes up the leg. This helps to provide flow of blood through the veins from the feet up to the heart.

There are many different types of compression therapy. You can purchase non-prescription stockings for use in travel, during pregnancy, to help with minor swelling, to help tired and sore legs and for spider veins.

If you are in need of a higher compression due to moderate edema or varicose veins, your doctor can prescribe these for you. You then take the prescription to a pharmacy that has someone trained to measure you, ensuring that you get the correct size and compression for your needs. The stockings come in many different styles and colours, including nylons and socks with cushioning on them. The most common socks go to the knee but they are available as full pantyhose or socks with open toes. The fitter can show you how to properly put them on as well as how to care for them.

Not all pharmacies provide this specialized fitting so call in advance to make sure that someone is trained as a fitter.

If you're experiencing pain or swelling in the leg, it is not something to ignore.

The James Bay Beacon receives monthly contributions from the following pharmacists: Jason Cridge - Cridge Family Pharmacy; Stefani Tagg - Thrifty Foods Pharmsacy; and Robert Wojtas - James Bay Pharmasave