Compression Therapy Downtown Toronto Podiatrist and Physiotherapist

We are excited to offer compression therapy at InStride!

Why use compression?

With regular standing, walking and exercise our veins can take wear and tear. Veins act to pump blood back to our heart. THere are valves in the veins and overtime and repetitive use, these veins can enlarge, so the valves no longer work as well as they used to. Blood can acutally spill over into the other compartments leading to swelling, spider viens. If this continues long term, one can develop varicose veins. These are painful veins which bulge out and are visible to the naked eye. Many people who work Downtown Toronto stand or sit in the office, which can lead to achy legs. Us being a Downtown Toronto Podiatrist , Chiropodist and Physiotherapist, we are happy to help those in need of this treatment.

Indications for Compression Therapy

Venous Insufficiency
Diabetic patients with swelling
Heavy, fatigued achy leg
Deep vein Thrombosis Treatment
Pregnancy management of swelling and vericosities
Lymphedema

Contraindications

Arterial Insufficeincy
Intermittent Claudication
Ischemia
Uncontrolled congestive heart failure
Advanced neuropathy compromising arterial circulation and sensation

How compression Therapy Works

The pressure these stockings put on your legs helps your blood vessels work better. The veins get a boost pushing blood back to your heart when compression is worn. Compression helps the veins push the blood against gravity, back to your heart.

Compression stockings can keep your legs from getting tired and achy. They can also ease swelling in your feet and ankles as well as help prevent and treat spider and varicose veins. They may even stop you from feeling light-headed or dizzy when you stand up.

Because the blood keeps moving, it’s harder for it to pool in your veins and make a clot. If one forms and breaks free, it can travel with your blood and get stuck somewhere dangerous, like your lungs. Clots also make it harder for blood to flow around them, and that can cause swelling, skin pigmentation changes and other problems. Compression therapy is offered at many locations in Downtown Toronto Podiatry Clinics and Downtown Physiotherapy clinics, making it easy to find the treatment you need!

Compression For Athletic Performance

The research does not prove that it helps to enhance performance by improving blood flow. Alex Hutchinson, author at Sweat Science, discusses this topic on his website,

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/compression-gear-research-2021/.

Hutchinson mentions, for subjective measure, 29 out of 50 studies indicated people felt less sore when they used compression. There is some research stating that it can help with recovery. According to an academic journal “ Compression garments and recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage: a meta-analysis”, Analysis of pooled data indicated that the use of compression garments had a moderate effect in reducing the severity of DOMS. DOMS is delayed onset muscles soreness, which usually arises 24-272 hours after exercise.

Compression can reduce the inflammation that comes from using your muscles by moving toxins out of the tissue. This helps them to heal and rebuild more quickly; plus, less inflammation can mean less soreness.

Types of Compression

There are different types based on your comfort and goal. Compression comes in knee high, thigh high and above the waist. Pregnancy can benefit from compression as pelvic DVTs can happen in the third trimester. Compression is good for those who stand all day or go travelling on long flights. Compression therapy can help for prolonged flights because inactivity and sitting can cause the blood to pool in your legs. This can lead to swelling and which is achy and uncomfortable.

At InStride, our Podiatrist, can prescribe compression stockings for those suitable. Or, your family Doctor can assess to see if this type of treatment would be suitable for you. At InStride, we measure you to ensure the compression therapy would fit. We are happy to offer compression that can even come in pantyhose for those who still want to be professional and take care of their legs!