Vein Health for Teachers
If you’re an educator, it’s time for an important lesson on teacher vein health. With educators making up such a large part of our workforce, leg health is an important topic.
Why Is Teaching One of the Risky Professions for Your Legs?
Although it may not always sound physically demanding, teaching is one of the risky professions for spider veins and varicose veins. Teaching requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time, and it can also include long periods of sitting while you grade student work. Both of these factors can have long-term effects on your legs and lead to vein damage.
Men wear flat shoes that don't impact the leg's ability to return blood to the heart, but women often wear high heels. If you’re a female teacher who enjoys wearing high heels, it’s important to realize that your foot is being held in an extended position, preventing your ankle from flexing. It is this flexing motion, which activates the calf pump, that helps return blood to your heart. If you spend long periods of time in heels, vein problems can be amplified, especially if you are overweight, pregnant or wear constricting garments.
The teaching profession includes two big risks for developing vein disease: long periods on your feet teaching and long period sitting to grade work.
"I like your crew and appreciate it when they accept my off beat sense of humor. "
— Stu R, Orlando
Why Are Female Teachers at a Greater Risk?
The teaching profession has a high percentage of women. In addition to high heels, being overweight, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual periods, pregnancy or menopause can increase the risk for developing varicose veins. Hormones (progesterone) can weaken your vein walls, making them more vulnerable to pressure. Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may also increase the risk of varicose veins, as well as DVT.
How Can Teachers Protect Their Vein Health?
If you're a teacher, protecting your vein health should be a priority. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help decrease vein disease or prevent it:
- Give your legs a break every half hour by sitting for a few minutes.
- Avoid high heels and uncomfortable shoes that pinch or prevent ankle flexion.
- Exercise, especially in a pool, to relieve the pressure in your legs.
- Maintain a healthy weight to avoid unnecessary stress on your legs.
- Elevate your feet during breaks each day to decrease venous pressure at the ankle.
What Is the Best Preventative Treatment to Start Today?
Wearing compression stockings on a daily basis can save your legs. Wearing graduated compression during a long day of teaching supports your veins by preventing them from distending and letting blood pool. These medical garments also assist calf pump function. If you're a teacher, do something good for your legs this school year and pick up some compression stockings. You can start by using our compression stocking size guide to assist your selection.
Today’s stockings come in a variety of styles and colors, so nobody has to know you’re wearing compression. Stop at any DOC’S SOCKS location at VVC to get started improving your leg health.
