When it comes to compression stockings, there is one common refrain from prospective users: “I’m not sure if I’m old enough to need compression stockings yet.” You hear it from 20-year-olds, you hear it from 90-year-olds, and from just about every age in between. But the truth is, compression stockings have no age category. People of any age or lifestyle can see a benefit from using them. That’s why they’re covered under the ARTA Benefit Plans.
What Are Compression Stockings?
Essentially, compression stockings are a type of sock that constricts your leg as you wear them. You wear them just like you would a regular sock, but they have the added function of improving blood flow through the legs. This aids in avoiding uncomfortable sensations like aches and swelling, or even dangerous conditions like blood pooling, weak valves, or blood clots.
You can buy compression stockings over the counter, but believe it or not, most varieties require a prescription from a doctor or other medical professional, and to claim any stocking as a medical expense, a prescription is required. Generally speaking, over-the-counter compression stockings have a weaker compression rating, which still might provide some comfort and relief, but may not be able to offer the full range of benefits that prescription-grade stockings do.
Who Should Wear Compression Stockings?
There are a few different reasons you might want to wear compression stockings. First and most obviously, you would want to wear them if your doctor has indicated them as part of your treatment for a circulatory condition like edema, varicose veins, or thrombosis. In these situations, compression stockings are part of your care plan, and there should be no question of whether or not you can benefit from their use.
But what are some other reasons you might want to wear compression stockings?
Frequent Fliers
It’s common for feet and legs to swell if you spend a long time in a confided space without much opportunity to move around. If you spend much time travelling, that description of an airplane will sound all-too familiar to you. If you often experience swelling, tingling, or other discomfort in your legs when you travel, compression stockings can help get your blood flowing and reduce those symptoms, leaving you ready to walk as soon as the plane touches down.
This advice also applies to long train or bus rides, or really any scenario where you are seated for long periods of time.
Pillars in the Community
If you’re used to long hours standing at attention (or maybe standing while distracted), you know what leg fatigue and soreness feels like. Compression stockings are useful for jobs or volunteer positions that require you to stand on your feet for long periods of time. This includes teachers, nurses, grocery store clerks, security guards, and many, many more jobs besides. Applying stockings before you start your standing shift can lead to less soreness and a quicker recovery time afterwards, giving you more energy to pursue your other interests and passions.
Movers and Shakers
You’ll often see athletes wearing compression gear to help regulate their blood flow while they push their bodies to the limit. This athletic use of compression helps maintain steady blood flow, leading to reduced muscle fatigue and soreness after the fact.
But you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from this use of compression stockings. If you find your legs feeling quite sore after prolonged physical activity (like walking, hiking, running, dancing, or anything else that makes great use of your legs) then compression stockings might be a good fit for your lifestyle.
But if you’re tempted to wear your compression stockings in the pool, you can feel confident leaving them behind. When you’re in the pool, the water pressure presses equally on your body from all angles, exactly like a compression stocking. While swimming, everyone is benefiting from compression, whether they know it or not.
ARTA Benefit Plans Coverage
So, to review, compression stockings are good for people who sit, people who stand, and people who move. That includes just about everyone, doesn’t it? So now that you know compression stockings are a good fit for your lifestyle, I bet you’re wondering what ARTA’s compression coverage is.
ARTA offers $500 in coverage per year, meaning that you can get 4-6 pairs to switch between every year, depending on the price of each individual pair. Trust us, the price can vary significantly between different suppliers. Compression stockings tend to lose potency the longer they are used, so if you are a frequent user, you’ll want to replace them as they wear out.
You’ll also need a prescription before you can submit your claim, but prescriptions aren’t reserved for those with acute medical conditions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your foot and leg concerns, and they will likely agree that compression stockings are a low-impact way to make a big difference in comfort and health.