THE CONFUSION OF PURCHASING COMPRESSION GARMENTS
Purchasing compression garments can be very confusing and a bit overwhelming at times. Should you choose custom or over-the-counter stockings? How about a compression wrap garment or a nighttime garment? Different compression levels, different lengths, open toe, closed toe, silicone band, and umpteen different manufacturers to choose from. Too many choices, too confusing – does it really need to be? We don’t think so! We decided simplifying compression for lymphedema would be one of our priorities.
SIMPLIFYING COMPRESSION FOR LYMPHEDEMA
Go through our website and you may notice that we do not have all the selection that many of the other compression websites have. This is intentional! This is how we simplified the process of ordering good compression online. Working for several years as a fitter and with the help of some exceptional lymphedema therapists, we narrowed the selection to the compression garments we believe work best overall for lymphedema.
Are there other good compression products out there? Yes, of course there are. However, with the vast amount of choices in compression, we wanted to make the choice just a bit less complicated. Therefore with our many years of experience fitting compression garments, and with the help of our therapists, we have narrowed down the choices to our tried and true compression garments. We have found these are the best, most effective compression garments, from the top manufacturers, for the best value.
MANY GOOD CHOICES
Let’s take compression stockings as an example of how we narrowed down our choices to make it easier for you to decide. Just counting the stockings from the major compression manufacturers; Jobst has 17 different styles of knee high stockings. Sigvaris has 27, Medi has 14 and Juzo has nine. That’s a total of 67 different styles of stockings. This does not include different compression levels, stocking lengths, or different colors and patterns of stockings. This also doesn’t include the stockings from all the off brands that are on the market today. Please note there are no FDA standards for gradient compression stockings, so anyone can put the label compression on a stocking. Buyer beware!
You could technically go through hundreds of different compression stockings to find the one that works best for you and your condition. However, we have done the work for you, so you don’t have to. There are many good stockings out there, but the one we feel is the most effective and the best value for lymphedema is the Juzo dynamic stocking. Please note this is for over-the-counter compression stockings. Flat knit compression stockings have proven to be the most effective stocking for lymphedema. However, often the cost prohibits people from obtaining these stockings, especially if their insurance does not cover for compression.
SIMPLIFIED BUT FLEXIBLE
Although we have narrowed down the number of choices for you, you may have found a stocking that you and/or your therapist prefers. That is not a problem, although our selection is limited, we are flexible. If you want to purchase from one of the manufacturers we have an account with, we would be happy to help. This order would simply have to be done over the phone instead of the internet.
NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Lymphedema has never been a one size fits all kind of condition. Furthermore, lymphedema can fluctuate the size of your limb greatly from day-to-day. We have done our best to find the right garments for this condition, but we are always on the lookout for new and improved compression therapy – searching for better ways to help solve the problem of finding the best, highest quality compression for our customers. If you have any recommendations or suggestions of compression that you have found effective, we would love to hear about them.
WORKING FOR YOU AS WELL AS WITH YOU
Compression does not have to be complicated! Keeping it simple and easy for you to obtain good quality compression at a great value is our top goal. We highly respect you and your therapist and work hard to make sure you receive the best service, as well as the highest quality, best compression garments available. Working together is one of the ways we can combat this disease of lymphedema. Together we are stronger, together we can achieve a better, healthier quality of life.
Tom Harmon says:
Very informative. Not much info on lymphedema out there. Very happy you were referred to us for supplies. Keep the info coming. Many thanks
Theresa says:
Thank you Tom for your kind words! 🙂
Carol Clelland says:
Hello! I wear a flat-knit custom sleeve with integrated glove during the day (CCL 2) and a chip sleeve at night. I have two problems, both with the day sleeve. I’m trying to get more exercise so I’m walking and riding my bike frequently, and it’s pretty hot in South Carolina. My sleeve gets moist from sweating and I have to take it off and wash it as soon as I get home. The other problem is that I’m getting a wart-like bump at the base of my little finger which starts to hurt when I ride due (I tend to hang on to the handle grips for dear life!). Do you have any recommendation for a lighter off the shelf sleeve and separate glove that I can wear for an hour to two while riding or walking? I should think that slightly less compression wouldn’t be harmful for an hour or two, and then I can put my custom sleeve on as soon as I return. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Theresa says:
Hi Carol. It is important to wear compression when you are exercising. However, I see no reason why you could not try an over-the-counter garments for a short period of time. There really is no way of knowing whether or not it will contain you unless you give it a try and it may solve both of you issues. It would depend on whether or not your measurements would fit into an over-the-counter garment as well. Juzo makes a beautiful soft sleeve and they just came out with a new seamless soft glove that is very comfortable. If you would like to discuss further give me a call at 815 342 0370.