Do you often experience heavy, tired, and restless legs? Then you might need to strengthen your blood circulation
Sore, tired, and restless legs are something most people experience at some point in their lives. Often, these discomforts are associated with specific activities – for example, after exercise, a tough day at work, or days when we have stood, walked, or sat more than usual. These are isolated incidents where the symptoms usually disappear on their own after a day or two.
However, many people, especially in the older age group, experience heavy and tired legs on a daily basis, which can be associated with a lot of discomfort or even pain. For example, pain might occur in the lower legs during normal walking. This pain disappears when you stop but returns when you resume walking. It might require many small breaks to walk longer distances!
Both symptom patterns have their roots in our blood circulation, and the good news is that the discomfort and pain can be relieved or completely alleviated with the help of support or compression stockings.
Our blood circulation is essential for our body to function properly. With the heart as the main pump, the circulatory system is one long network of various blood vessels that transport oxygen and nutrients to the cells. The blood vessels in this part of the system are called arteries. When cells work, they excrete waste products, which are then transported away via the blood vessels of the circulatory system so they can be excreted or recycled. These blood vessels are called veins.
With the heart as the sole main pump, it makes sense that the pressure in the circulatory system becomes weaker the further we are from the heart. Therefore, our blood pressure in the hands and especially in the feet is naturally lower than in the rest of the body. In addition, the blood from the legs has to fight gravity when it returns to the heart. However, the body has found an ingenious solution to this small detail: venous valves. Venous valves are small gates located in the leg veins that prevent blood from flowing back.
Due to the lower blood pressure in our hands and feet, it is often here that we experience symptoms if there are problems with circulation. Symptoms of reduced blood circulation can, for example, be:
- Cold, bluish, and/or swollen hands and/or feet
- Muscle fatigue/exhaustion
- Buzzing/numb sensations in hands and/or feet
- Night cramps
- Pain in the lower leg during walking, which disappears after short rest
- In more severe cases, pain can also occur at rest
- Smooth, almost shiny skin that has lost its hair growth
Circulatory disorders are most common among elderly people and diabetes and kidney patients, but also occur frequently as a result of smoking, high blood pressure, and/or high fat and cholesterol levels in the blood. These parameters increase the risk of arteriosclerosis. Circulatory disorders can also be genetically predisposed.
Arteriosclerosis narrows the blood vessels, making it harder for blood to pass through. This slows down the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products to and from the muscles, meaning the muscles have fewer resources available. This can be fine when we are sitting still or just taking a few steps. Problems arise when more is demanded of the muscles than resources immediately allow. For example, during a long walk, climbing stairs, or running. When muscles do not get enough oxygen and nutrients, pain occurs. The pain makes us stop, which gives the muscles a chance to recover, thereby stopping the pain.
It should be noted that it is not dangerous for the body to walk, even if these pains occur along the way. In fact, it is very important that we continue to keep our body, especially our legs, moving. Muscle mass disappears incredibly quickly – just think about how hard the body struggles after a couple of days of illness in bed. On the other hand, it doesn't take much to maintain our muscles. When we walk or exercise in other ways, we don't just strengthen our muscles. We also stimulate blood circulation and thereby strengthen our circulatory system.
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to prevent illness and injuries, and it doesn't have to be sweaty, hard, or difficult. A daily walk is fantastic, but if that's not an option, you can easily train both your arms and legs while sitting in your safe home with a pedal exerciser. You can also use a balance cushion or a wobble board to strengthen the muscle pump in your legs.
See our various products for an active life. Click here!
As mentioned earlier, support stockings or compression stockings are also a great help. Both for those who are active and for those with a more sedentary everyday life.
Support stockings or compression stockings – a beloved child has many names
It can be a bit of a jungle to understand what is meant when talking about support stockings and compression stockings. The confusion is partly due to the terms often being used interchangeably, and both types of stockings having the same purpose – to compress the muscles and venous valves in the legs to strengthen the return flow of blood and fluid from the legs. Additionally, they can help prevent minor blood clots and varicose veins that result from prolonged strain on the legs.
See our large selection of support stockings. Click here!
Let's try to take a closer look at the differences between the two types of stockings. Because there IS a difference, and it mainly lies in how strong a pressure the stocking provides:
Support stockings are, as a rule, for healthy legs and are used to prevent injuries and discomfort.
The most common model is knee-length and provides a gentle, even pressure. Support stockings are made from a comfortable, soft, and flexible material, which makes them look and feel very much like ordinary stockings. They are easy to put on and are particularly suitable for people who stand or sit a lot during the day. For the same reason, support stockings are also known as "flight socks" or "travel socks."
Support stockings can also be helpful for those with a more active lifestyle. Many exercisers, especially runners and cyclists, will experience better comfort during and after activity when wearing support stockings. The increased circulation in the legs not only provides a more stable oxygen supply to the cells but also helps to remove waste products from the legs.
Pregnant women and people with mild symptoms of circulatory disorders or varicose veins in the legs can also benefit greatly from support stockings.
Compression stockings are for diseased legs requiring treatment and must be prescribed by a doctor.
They come with different degrees of pressure (grade 1 to 4), different lengths (knee-high to groin), different knitting methods, and material qualities. Compression stockings need to be measured, and it is often necessary to use aids when putting on the stocking. This is because the stockings can be very stiff and inflexible to provide the necessary pressure.
Zipper shoes - easy to put on. Do you find it difficult to put on regular shoes? Perhaps you have deformed feet, use leg braces, or have pain in your toes and ankles?
See all our smart zipper shoes. Click here!
Our BILLY Zipper Shoes can be unzipped all the way around, and you simply place your foot. Voilà, and then you zip them up again.
These shoes are lightweight, smart, and ergonomic. Furthermore, you can remove the insole and insert your own (orthopedic?) sole.
Do you have questions about circulation problems, support stockings, orthopedic zipper shoes, or perhaps something else entirely?
Whatever is on your mind, you are always welcome to contact us. We have two nurses ready to guide you to find the right aids for you :)
Best regards from the Seniorpleje team
Tina & Ditte
