Of all the things in the world, your health should always come first.
Prioritizing one’s health above all else seems so obvious, yet it’s also something we take for granted. We procrastinate. Take shortcuts. Cheat a little. Go with the flow and roll with the punches. Put other things first because life’s busy, right?
Yes, but if we don’t take care of our health, all those other things in life can start to fall apart. When health becomes your priority, many of those little stressors in life start to fade away or feel less important, and we can finally think straight and relax.
Time and again, one of the shortcuts we see our clients take to their detriment is buying their compression products online. Sure, buying online can be easier and perhaps more affordable, but a compression garment is a medical aid. It helps your body optimize blood flow, or circulation. That’s important!
“I see so many clients purchase their compression garment online and come to me because it doesn’t fit right,” says Cathie Ruston, our in-house certified compression fitter. “Sometimes, the garment is too tight so it feels uncomfortable and could be making the condition worse. Other times, it’s too loose and therefore not doing the job it’s supposed to.
“The make is very important, too. Most quality compression garments are made in Germany, and you don’t want to ‘cheap out’ on a lower-quality item because, again, it won’t be doing the job it’s supposed to.”
Kootenay Columbia Home Medical Equipment is proud to sell a full range of Medi compression products. Headquartered in Bayreuth, Germany, Medi is leading the way to the future of compression technology based on over 70 years of experience.
Medi users consistently benefit from a variety of garment options, first-class craftsmanship and the highest level of comfort. We continuously work closely with Medi because the education and support they provide us with is unparalleled.
Will my insurance cover my compression garments?
If you have extended medical benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement on up to six pairs of stockings per year. Upon purchase, we will provide you with a receipt that you can send to your insurance company to reimburse the cost. Only medical-grade compression garments are eligible for insurance coverage and will require a prescription from your doctor.
Schedule an appointment with Cathie today
When you book a fitting session, you’re putting your health first and ensuring the product you purchase is optimized to your symptoms and physique.
“A fitting session is a very customized and customer-focused process,” explains Cathie. “It begins by discussing the client’s conditions. Next, I take measurements, select the product and do the fitting to ensure the garment fits just right. Sometimes, a patient may be concerned that the garment fits too tight; I can reassure them that it feels right and is doing the job it’s intended to.
“I will also show them how to properly put the product on and take it off, which we call ‘don and doff.’ There are also some tricks I can show them on how to don the item; some patients may also have difficulty with donning due to flexibility issues and I can recommend some different products we carry that can assist. I believe education is incredibly important and explain all the steps so the client leaves our store feeling comfortable with their purchase.”
Do I need to wear a compression garment?
One of the biggest telltale signs that you need to wear a compression garment is if your feet and legs swell as the day goes on. These extremities are the parts of your body furthest away from your heart, and inefficient circulation can cause swelling in addition to pain and fatigue, and even compromise your vein health. Other indications can include spider veins and varicose veins, and pain in your legs when coughing.
Or you can take the guesswork out of the equation, put your health first and book an appointment with our certified fitter, Cathie Ruston, today. Call Cathie at our Castlegar location at 250-365-7772 or simply fill out our contact form online and we will get in touch with you as soon as humanly possible.