If you are a frequent visitor of our blog you would probably not expect to hear that according to newer research the general awareness on the subject of compression stockings and compression therapy is still much lower than one would expect.
It is even more surprising considering how long compression therapy has been around helping to prevent, improve or manage many vein related conditions and symptoms.
Studies have brought to light that there is a significant lack of consciousness among healthcare providers and patients alike about the significance of compression therapy.
This includes for example the use of compression garments and bandages for treating venous diseases and associated complications such as speeding up wound healing and venous ulcers.
Building Awareness and Knowledge About the Benefits of Compression Stockings
Many non-profit organizations as well as manufacturers and marketers of compression garments have worked hard to help spread the knowledge about compression stockings and other types of compression therapy. They have done so by organizing promotions, drives and campaigns to teach public awareness about the complications and dangers associated with venous diseases as well as the importance of compression therapy as part of the available treatment options.
Manufacturers, marketers, professional organizations, support groups as well as patients regularly publish information about new developments, applications and first hand user experiences involving compression garments and compression therapy. We are doing our part by bringing you news and information about compression stockings and more through our blog posts.
Building awareness and knowledge about compression therapy among caregivers and patients is vital. Timely and diligent application of compression stockings when the early signs and symptoms of venous issues are discovered can often significantly alter the course of the disease in a very positive way.
The early use of compression stockings can slow progression or even prevent things from turning into full blown venous disease with all its potential complications.
With more and more “baby boomers” reaching retirement each year the healthcare system is faced with an increasing number of individuals that will be affected by vein related health issues.
After reading the above you may be thinking… “My legs are healthy, why should I have to consider compression stockings or support hosiery?”
Read this and think again…
How Can We Promote Awareness and Boost the Usage of Compression Therapy?
By educating patients about vein disease and dangerous venous conditions. For example venous insufficiency can be associated with deformed veins (varicose veins) and/or veins with defective valves inside the veins. Such vein defects cause the return flow of blood to the heart to slow or even stagnate, which results in pooling of blood in the legs and ankle area accompanied by swelling).
Also, did you know that blood clots in the deeper veins (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms (PE) claim more lives every year than AIDS and breast cancer deaths combined?
By promoting treatment with compression therapy at the healthcare provider level. Healthcare providers must be trained and educated better about the importance and many benefits of compression therapy for a wide range of conditions and illnesses.
This not only benefits patients but can also help save an already heavily burdened healthcare system significant amounts of funding that may otherwise have to be allocated for treating more serious complications of vein disease just because early signs and symptoms were simply ignored.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for enabling compression therapy at an early stage is the lack of adequate reimbursement from both the government Medicare system and insurers, which will currently in many cases only reimburse under special conditions such as in the case of venous ulcers as a result of chronic venous insufficiency.
With better patient access for treating venous problems with compression therapy at an early stage. For example patient advocacy groups and lawmakers must work to ensure that both government and private insurance carriers enable better access to compression therapy.
With continuous improvements in the textile fibers and advancements in the knitting technology. Graduated compression stockings and any other compression garments must be designed and manufactured with the patient comfort in mind. For maximum appeal and to be wearable in business as well as leisure time settings compression garments and hosiery must keep pace with current fashion trends to the point of being nearly indistinguishable from high fashion hosiery.
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