Sigvaris Allure now available in Black

May 16th, 2013

Can graduated compression hosiery look beautiful, make you feel elegant, and improve the health of your legs?

Sigvaris says it can, and they’re proving it with the Allure line of compression hosiery.  Allure is knit with a beautiful diamond-dot pattern, and with the addition of black, is now available in four fashion colors.

Sigvaris Allure bannerIn addition to looking beautiful, Allure is beautifully constructed.  The spandex is double-covered so it won’t irritate your skin.  This makes it much easier to put on and take off.

Sigvaris has used their Sensinnov silicone band on the thigh highs.  Rather than strips or dots of silicone, it’s one solid sheet.  The Sensinnov band stays in place better, won’t slip or roll and doesn’t cause thigh bulge.  It’s also much gentler on your skin.

You don’t have to sacrifice the health of your legs for fashion.  If you suffer from tired, aching legs, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, or swelling, but think compression hosiery is too unattractive, try Sigvaris Allure.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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New Juzo Dynamic Cotton Socks for Men

May 8th, 2013
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Men have a great new choice in knee high support socks.  The Juzo Dynamic Men’s Cotton Sock combines many of the features our customers have been asking for in a high-quality and durable stocking.

  • Larger Foot Portion:  The foot on the new Dynamic Cotton is longer and wider to accommodate bigger feet.
  • Two Lengths:  Problems with length are the #1 complaint with ready-to-wear compression stockings.  If the sock is too long it will wrinkle or rolls over, too short and they tug down. Juzo makes it easy to find a size that’s right for you.
  • Cotton with Durability:  Cotton fibers aren’t as strong as nylon, so many cotton blend support socks wear out faster than those made of nylon.  Juzo’s unique weave puts the cotton on the inside as a lining, so you have the soft, breathable fabric next to you skin and the durable Dynamic fabric on the outside.
  • Wider Ribbing: This gives the sock a more contemporary look, making it more versatile.  Dynamic cotton looks great with a suit or pair of jeans.

I’m a huge fan of Jobst Casual Socks for Men.  It’s obvious Juzo studied this sock when designing the Dynamic Cotton.  Since every brand has a slightly different fit and feel, it’s nice to have another wonderfully designed option.

Juzo Dynamic Cotton Socks are available in 3 compression levels: 15-20, 20-30, and 30-40mmHg.  And they come in 4 colors: Black, Brown, Khaki and Navy.

To promote their new sock, Juzo has suspended minimum pricing through the month of May.  Instead of 20% off MSRP, we’re offering this sock for 30% off.  Example: 20-30mmHg normally $60.79, thru May 31st $53.19.  It’s the perfect time to try Dynamic Cotton for Men.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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Juzo Spring 2013 Dream Colors

April 29th, 2013
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The new Juzo Dream colors are here.  Last seasons colors were very bold and bright.  This Spring the colors are more muted and subdued.  Pink never goes out of fashion, and remains part of the Dream color lineup.  New colors this year are Pewter, Hibiscus, Emerald, Azure and Lilac.  If early orders are any indication, Pewter is this seasons top color.

Juzo 2013 Dream Colors

Dream colors are available in the full line of Juzo Soft compression garments which includes armsleeves, gauntlets, knee highs, thigh highs, chap-styles, pantyhose and leggings.  Juzo Soft offers more sizing options than any other line of ready-to-wear compression stockings.

In addition to solid Dream colors, tie-dye with either a white or black background is available.  Juzo does real tie-dye, not a print, so every garment is unique.  The two most popular garment styles for tie-dye are armsleeves and footless leggings.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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Travel Socks from the #1 Physician Recommended Brand

April 25th, 2013
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Jobst Travel Socks are back.  These were a customer favorite for many years, but due to production problems, were discontinued.  Jobst has just reintroduced this sock in the same great cotton blend fabric for men and women.  Features include:

  • All day comfort top-band, that keeps your stockings in place no matter how long the trip
  • Reinforced heel and toe for durability
  • Soft cotton/nylon/spandex blend fabric that feels great against the skin and keeps your feet dry and comfortable
  • Ribbed design in two colors: black and beige

Jobst Travel Socks

Travel socks have been proven to reduce the risk of developing a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or blood clot in the leg which can turn into a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.  They also prevent your legs and feet from swelling due to sitting in a confined space for an extended period of time.  If you have ever taken your shoes off at the beginning of a long-haul flight, you know how difficult it can be to put them back on when you land.  If you keep your shoes on, you’ve felt how tight they become. Compression travel socks will help prevent this problem.

The improved circulation also alleviates some of the aches and pains in your legs associated with sitting for a long time.

Jobst Travel Socks have a graduated compression of 15-20mmHg.  Graduated means the compression is higher at the ankle, and gradually decreases up the leg.  This is one of the ways the stocking helps your circulatory system push blood from the lower extremities back to your heart.  This level of compression is considered moderate and is the recommended level of compression for travel, assuming you don’t have any other venous issues.

If you prefer a fabric other than cotton, BrightLife Direct has a large selections of other fabrics and styles to choose from.  If your summer vacation plans include traveling for more than 3-4 hours, don’t forget to wear your travel socks.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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Graduated Compression vs Tight Socks

April 16th, 2013
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When you sell compression socks, you get a lot of free samples.  Yesterday I wore a pair of Gold Toe Support socks I received in the mail.  My Dad used to wear these to the office everyday.  They are nicely made socks.  The foot portion was comfortable and the length was great, but they don’t provide graduated compression.  (A higher compression at the ankle that gradually decreases up the leg.)  These are just tight socks.  By the time I was driving home my feet felt a little numb.

Knitting a sock with graduated compression is quite difficult.  A very specialized knitting machine is required and there are only two companies in the world that make them, both in Europe. Before knitting can begin, these machines have to be set-up and programmed by a highly trained technician.  Add in very specialized nylon and spandex fibers, and one begins to see why compression stockings cost more than regular socks.

So how can you tell if a sock has graduated compression?  There will be a range of compression listed, like 15-20mmHg or 20-30mmHg.  If you see just a single compression, like 18mmHg, it’s not graduated.  18mmHg is the typical compression of anti-embolism stockings; the white stockings you see on every patient in a hospital.  They aren’t graduated because they’re designed to be worn when prone in bed because the stocking doesn’t have to work against gravity.  Of course buying from a reputable company that takes these things seriously is also very prudent.

Compression stockings are an amazing product.  Light compressions really do energize tired, aching legs, and higher compressions do an amazing job of treating everything from varicose veins and swollen ankles to lymphedema and venous stasis ulcers.  But if the sock is promising miracles, run don’t walk in the other direction.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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FarrowWrap ThinGrip… a revolution in alternative compression

April 7th, 2013
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In the world of compression alternatives the new “ThinGrip” from Farrow Medical is a revolutionary product.  The fabric is extremely thin and lightweight, with a porous lining that gently grips the skin but also breaths.  Many alternative compression garments are big, bulky and prone to slipping.  ThinGrip doesn’t slip and has a very low profile which means you don’t have to dress to accommodate your compression garment.

Farrow Thin Grip Calf Unit

ThinGrip can be worn without a liner.  This means you stay cooler, the garment is thinner, and it’s easier to don.  ThinGrip still provides a high working compression when you are active, so that it can be used to treat mild, moderate, and even some severe cases of edema.

Why would you wear a FarrowWrap garment  instead of a traditional compression stocking?   Here are a few of the many reasons:

  • Traditional compression stockings are too difficult to put on
  • Compression is needed round-the-clock
  • Your swelling fluctuates significantly throughout the day
  • Skin is too fragile or it’s too painful to pull on a traditional stocking
  • You have a nonstandard limb shape

FarrowWrap ThinGrip is available for the foot, calf, thigh and hand.  Ask your therapist if ThinGrip is right for you.

 Pete@BrightLife Direct
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Comfortable Treatment for Lymphedema of the Torso

April 2nd, 2013
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The Belisse Compressure Comfort Garment is much more than a mastectomy bra.  It’s a medical compression garment that drains excess lymphatic fluid in the chest and breast area, that may result from breast cancer or other chest and truncal surgeries.  Belisse addresses the specific needs of women with lymphedema, post-surgical discomfort, and post-radiation edema and/or fibrosis.  By gently compressing all around the torso, it directs the lymphatic fluids to other functional pathways in the body.  Built-in pockets simplify the use of specialty pads to address specific breast and chest wall fibrosis.

Belisse is available in a wide variety of sizes.  A front zipper makes it easy to don and easy to adjust.  Variable position back closures offer added adjust-ability.  The attractive shape can be worn comfortably day and night.  It is soft on the skin, smooth to allow restful sleep, and unobtrusive under clothing.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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Fashionable Compression from LympheDivas

March 28th, 2013
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LympheDivas was founded in Philadelphia by two young breast cancer survivors who were not impressed with the compression sleeve options they found back in 2006.  Rachel and Robin were so enthusiastic about their new company, and so fun to work with, we couldn’t resist.  BrightLife Direct has carried LympheDiva armsleeves and gauntlets from the beginning and we continue to add new patterns and colors.

Wrapture:  Garden of Eden meets tattoo parlor – the Wrapture sleeve has two intertwined snakes in shades of gray on a neutral background.  When you want to be bad…

lymphedivas wrapture armsleeve

Cosmos:  Galaxies, stars, and nebulae swirl on this sleeve.  The distant heavens a little closer to home.  Inspired by an image from the Hubble telescope.

cosmos-blog

Primrose:  An updated version of a 70’s floral wallpaper.  Large flowers on an off-white background.  Very classic.

LympeDivas Primrose Armsleeve

South Pacific:  If Captain Jack Sparrow wore a compression sleeve this would be it!  Anchors, hearts, roses, stars and a bluebird of happiness.  Looking at this sleeve, it’s hard not to smile.  A must for your next cruise or beach vacation.

South Pacific Armsleeve - LympheDivasPete@BrightLife Direct
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Compression Stockings After Total Knee Replacement

March 4th, 2013
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My Father recently had Total Knee Replacement (TKR) and I spent a few days visiting him in the hospital.  After the procedure, thigh-high anti-embolism stockings were put on his effected leg.  This is typical post-surgical procedure since the patient will be generally immobilized in bed which in and of itself is a risk factor for blood clots.  Upon leaving the hospital he was instructed to continue wearing thigh length stockings until his first follow-up visit about one month later.  Thigh length was recommended, since it would completely  cover and protect the incision, which is about six inches long running from above the knee to below the knee.

The stockings he was given in the hospital were not especially well made.  Fortunately he has a son in the business!  I set him up with Mediven Anti-Embolism Stockings since this seems to be a popular product with our customers.  Fortunately his procedure was without incident and he is recuperating quickly, although I don’t think quickly enough for him.

I did some research about the use of compression stockings after TKR surgery, and found one study that compared the efficacy of below knee versus above knee (thigh high) stockings.  Surprisingly, the research study done by the Royal Academy of Surgeons in London found no difference in healing between the two styles.  In fact they determined that patients preferred below knee stockings.  Of course you should always follow your Doctor’s advice, but if you feel strongly enough about it you may want to share this medical paper.

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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What is the difference between a Compression Glove and Gauntlet?

February 19th, 2013
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Quite simply, a glove provides compression by covering the fingers to the first joint or entirely.  A gauntlet only goes on your hand as far as the knuckles, leaving fingers free of compression.  Many patients that must wear compression on their hands will own both because some activities, such as typing, can be made more difficult if the entire finger is covered.  Traditionally a gauntlet also covers more of the wrist than a glove might, although that is not always the case these days.

Morgan Freeman now wears a compression glove on his left hand to reduce the chronic swelling that resulted from an automobile accident in 2008. It does not seem to have slowed him down.  We’ve noticed in pictures from various award ceremonies since that time that he definitely takes advantage of the various colors and styles of gloves and gauntlets to match his wardrobe.

Freeman told People Magazine “a person generally moves their hands about a million times a day, when you sustain a hand injury it is not something that you can ignore or even let rest without some movement”.

Morgan Freeman

Pete@BrightLife Direct
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