Background Bauerfeind
Bauerfeind is a German family business that is originally an expert in making medical braces, bandages and compression material. Since 2016, these items have also been produced by Bauerfeind for sports purposes. For example, the company makes material for hikers. Bauerfeind is one of the main sponsors of the Nijmegen Four Days Marches.
Compression stocking and sleeve
Blood vessels
We can roughly divide the blood vessels in our body into three types:
1. Arteries that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
2. Capillaries that lie around the organs where they release oxygen and nutrients and absorb waste products.
3. Veins that bring the blood back to the heart.
The capillaries in the feet open into the veins that carry away the blood with the waste products. The veins contain valves that prevent blood from flowing back to the feet. These valves fit well in healthy young people. As you get older or if you have a standing job, the valves may not function as well. When the valves function less well, moisture and waste products are not removed properly. This can cause swelling and acidification in the lower legs. This causes cramps, pain and a heavy feeling in the legs.
Wearing compression stockings or sleeves ensures that the valves close better, preventing about 80% of the complaints.
Operation of compression material
The compression stocking and sleeve provide the most compression in the ankle. The compression decreases towards the knee. This ensures that moisture and waste can be properly removed. This is the biggest difference between a Bauerfeind compression stocking and a cheap version of, for example, the supermarket where the compression is the same over the entire stocking. In addition, a compression stocking from Bauerfeind is made of material that ventilates much better.
Compression material can also be used very well to prevent asphalt eczema and a shin splint. Asphalt eczema is known from the Nijmegen Four Days Marches, among other things. It is caused by the long walk and the sun reflecting on the asphalt. A shin splint is a collective term for irritations of the shin. A shin splint can be caused by overload. The movement of the calf causes irritation to the shin. Many runners wear compression stockings to avoid a shin splint.
Stocking or sleeve
The advantage of the compression stocking is that the stocking also provides compression around the feet and ankles. As a result, there is less swelling of the feet. If you would like to wear your own hiking sock, wearing a sleeve is a good alternative. This does not cover the feet and therefore only provides compression from the ankle. A disadvantage of a sleeve could be that the sleeve has to be taken off during a longer rest break. If this is not done, it will cause swelling under and around the ankles. In our store we can measure the compression stocking or sleeve for you and we can see which of the two suits you best.