Sigvaris Compression Stockings
This is the first in a series of additions to this website. The goal is to give an independent review of the different service providers. Oftentimes the consumer does not know who to trust. Why one Doctor or one retailer points you to a particular product line or manufacturer. Hopefully the information in this series will assist you in your decisions.
I have to believe that these guys are the top notch when it comes to compression therapies. Lets start off with a little review of who they are. They are the self described experts in the field and in the application of it for various vein and lymph medical issues. Just in case you thought this was strictly an American issue you should note that they are a worldwide company and hence have customers across the globe. The fact is that they have a variety of products that serve each country based on their specific marketing needs. In the North American division they have a very large offering of products. This includes products for both men and women. You can get a catalog free from their website. Their catalog breaks the categories down into several sub categories:- 1. The first section is related to support therapy.
- 1. The men portion of the catalog highlights the fact that they have stylish features and are designed for graduated compression. These are made on the low end of needs in the 15-20 mmHG range. They are graduated and are built in order to relieve men of throbbing feet and digits. They are also built to relieve the ankles. When ordering you need to specify the size of shoe. These are very well built for long term use and are made to fit well within a mans wardrobe. They come in many different styles and colors. Of course these are not made with latex so there is no need to concern your self with latex allergies.
- 2. The Women also have a section for support. These also are graduated and focus on the same compression levels as the male products within this section. The two added dimensions they add is are weight and length. So when ordering you need to specify foot size, weight and length. What is nice is that this come as hosiery or as socks. This way a woman can fit it into any aspect of her wardrobe. Yes, they are free of latex.
- 2. The next section is directly related to Active purposes.
- 1. The first section is for Active people and their “recovery”. When they say recovery it appears they are gearing the product toward the building of muscle. When you build muscle you tear the existing muscle and then it “recovers” by rebuilding itself stronger. According to the catalog these products are designed to repair and rejuvenate the legs and feet of the active individual. These products are made in only two colors and have special material used to keep them fresh and dry. They are made from over half polyester.
- 2. The next section is a new innovative product for them. It is meant to increase performance. Not just help with “aching legs and feet” which is what you more commonly associate these products as being used for. The catalog straight up makes the claim that these help improve your blood flow and oxygen delivery thus enhancing an athletes overall ability to perform. It is quite a claim. But in looking closer you can tell they have put a lot of thought into the different aspects of the design. They have extra support in certain areas as well as special design to keep them dry and without odor. To be honest, it appears that if there were to be a technologically advanced sock – this would be it.
- 3. As we move through we enter the realm of medical application. They make it clear that they fully understand the dynamics of medical application. With this they have a complete line of precision fitting products that can assist with any treatable condition. They also make it clear they are aware of they need to be stylish at the same time. This is nice. It very much appears that they are catering no just to the medical needs of the client but also the psychological needs they have of wanting to also feel good about themselves. This series have compression as high as 60 mmHg.
- 4. The catalog also has a great number of accessories that can serve the customer very well. From items to help you put on the stockings to gloves to make the entire process much easer. They also have an oval expander that looks similar to a shoe expander in that it stretches out the stocking making it easier to put on. They also have under stocking material to help with drying sweat as well as special washing solutions. The catalog really is a one stop shop for all your compression stocking needs.
- 5. For Retailers and Consumers they have a number of resources that you may find very valuable. They also have tried to make it fun with a series of quizzes and contests in order to educate in a fun yet competitive way.
- 6. For retailers they also provide a series of classes and seminars for the employees that will be fitting the product to the consumer. These are certified seminars and are for the betterment of the delivery of the properly fitted product to the consumer.
- 1. The seminars cover everything from the underlying concept of compression therapy through the measuring and fitting and complying with a Doctors prescription. Of course they also cover the complete line of products offered in order to fully meet the buyer's needs.
- 2. The seminars are certified and accredited. This way the employees are also furthering themselves by learning as much as possible to help their clients. It's really a win win and is obvious why Sigvaris provides these classes.
- 3. They also discuss a joint promotional tool they use with retailers. This tool is to educate their existing client as well as local businesses and offices of the affect venous diseases can have on their companies. It is an interesting approach but surely one that expands their customer base. The theory is that many people do not understand that there is a cure for there suffering. Many employers do not understand that if they offer this cure then they will have more productive employees. Seems to be a good approach.