We are all well informed of the health problems that can arise from leading a sedentary life and working a desk job. With this has come the recent trend of standing desks. Our team at St John’s Vein Center wants to raise awareness of the equally important risks of prolonged standing. Careers such as Nursing, Professional Chef, Hairdresser, Cosmetologist, Host/Hostess, Restaurant Professional, Security, and Retail and now, those using a standing desk, all require prolonged standing. Keep reading to understand how this affects your legs and what you can do about it to keep your legs healthy.
Risks of Prolonged Standing
Research shows that prolonged standing creates a number of health risks, including an increase in the risk of carotid atherosclerosis and the development of varicose veins – both a result of the additional load on the circulatory system. Many fine motor skills suffer when workers stand for hours on end. Other issues include joint compression, improper posture such as slouching, and postural muscle fatigue. This happens when muscles become exhausted and can actually be quite painful.
Get Your Legs Moving
Make sure to take breaks by sitting or, if you can, by lying down with your feet raised above your heart level and massaging your calves and thighs. If you’re unable to take breaks, simply moving your legs while you’re standing such as frequent toe raises to work your calves will help tremendously. When you’re not at work, make sure you get plenty of exercise ensuring your blood gets circulating. Try lying down with your feet raised above your heart level and massaging your calves and thighs at home if you can’t do it at work!
Give Compression Stockings a Try
Compression hose or stockings are for both men and women. Designed to help prevent the occurrence of, as well as guard against further progression of venous disorders such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis. Unlike athletic stockings or panty hose, compression stockings use stronger elastics which create pressure causing more blood to return to the heart and less blood to pool in the feet.
While there are non-prescription stockings on the market, they generally do not apply the right amount or gradient of pressure and are not as effective as those your doctor will prescribe. Prescription compression hose typically range in cost from $50 to $125 and can last for six months to a year when properly cared for. This is a very small investment for the significant return of keeping legs looking and feeling great.
Additional Healthy Tips For Healthy Legs
In addition to getting cardiovascular exercise during your off hours, make sure to stretch on a regular basis. Also, eat foods rich in vitamins C, E, B6 and B12, or copper, fiber and bioflavonoids. If you smoke, here’s an additional reason to break the habit now, since harmful chemicals from cigarette smoke affect blood vessels, smokers are at higher risk for developing venous disease, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), not to mention the potentially deadly complication of pulmonary embolism. All of these smart health choices will boost your blood circulation, decreasing your risk.
Attention Nurses!
Come see the St John’s Vein Center team at the 4th Annual Celebration of Nurses event on May 7th at the Jacksonville Marriott from 10am to 6pm! Area retailers, hospitals, pampering services, educational sessions and so much more. Admission is FREE to nurses with a valid license. Find more information and tickets here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebration-of-nurses-2014-tickets-9540488859
If you are experiencing leg cramps, spider veins or varicose veins, don’t let this keep you from getting the treatment you need! You too can have beautiful, healthy legs. Take a moment to contact the St. Johns Vein Center via email or call us at 877-640-VEIN (8346) and schedule a complimentary vein screening today.
