Advancing Patient Wellness with Modern Compression Therapy

When most people think of compression stockings, they picture something simple — maybe the kind of socks someone might wear on a plane to keep their legs from swelling. But in reality, medical compression garments are a lot more than that.

For patients living with venous insufficiency, lymphedema, lipedema, or recovering from surgery, the right compression garment can mean the difference between living with daily discomfort and moving through life with more ease and confidence. And behind that seemingly simple piece of fabric is a long history of research, innovation, and patient care.

Few companies understand that better than Thuasne, a global leader in compression therapy. Founded in France nearly two centuries ago, Thuasne has been pioneering medical textile solutions since the days of early war medicine — and they’re just getting started in the U.S.

“Thuasne has been around for 178 years,” says Katie Baird, a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Registered Vascular Technologist and Clinical Sales Manager for the company. “We were founded in France and we’re still family-owned and women-owned. We came into the U.S. in 2020 when we acquired Knit-Rite and TheraFirm, and since then we’ve been expanding our product offerings and building brand recognition. The best part is, we’re still growing.”

A Deep Clinical Foundation

Katie isn’t just speaking from a marketing perspective. Her background is deeply clinical, which gives her a unique voice in bridging medical practice with patient-centered innovation.

“I was a registered vascular technologist for over 15 years,” she explains. “I worked in hospitals and private clinics every day, seeing vascular and lymphedema patients firsthand. I know what it looks like when someone is struggling with swelling or mobility issues. I also know how big of a difference the right garment can make.”

Her work during the pandemic took her into the industry side of healthcare, and that transition eventually led her to Thuasne. Wanting to strengthen her knowledge even more, she completed lymphedema certification training to deepen her understanding of the condition.

“Even though I don’t treat patients directly anymore, I wanted to be able to speak their language — and their providers’ language — fluently,” she says. “Compression isn’t a niche topic. It’s connected to vascular health, mobility, healing, and quality of life.”

How Compression Works — and Why It’s So Powerful

At the core of every compression garment is a simple but powerful concept: graduated pressure. By applying the highest pressure at the ankle and gradually decreasing it up the leg, compression helps the body work with gravity instead of against it.

“Think of it as giving your veins and lymphatic system a little assist,” Katie says. “When you’re standing all day, blood and fluid want to pool in your legs. The garment gently squeezes at the right places to help that fluid move back up to your heart. It’s subtle, but the effect can be huge.”

This simple mechanism supports people with a range of conditions:

• Chronic venous insufficiency – when veins can’t effectively return blood to the heart
  
  

• Varicose and spider veins – where pooling causes pain and visible changes
  
  

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and post-DVT recovery – helping prevent post-thrombotic complications
  
  

• Lymphedema – chronic swelling due to lymphatic dysfunction
  
  

• Lipedema – abnormal fat accumulation with fluid retention
  
  

• Post-surgical recovery – supporting healing and circulation
  
  

• Pregnancy-related swelling – reducing leg fatigue and pressure
  
  

And it’s not just about treating existing issues. For many people — nurses, teachers, factory workers, athletes, travelers — compression can also play a preventative role, improving daily comfort and circulation.

Lymphedema vs. Lipedema: Understanding the Difference

These two conditions are often lumped together in conversation, but they’re very different in their physiology, progression, and management. Katie is passionate about helping patients and providers better understand both.

“Lymphedema happens when the lymphatic system isn’t working properly,” she explains. “Fluid accumulates, and the body can’t drain it effectively. It can happen after surgery, cancer treatment, trauma, or sometimes people are born with it.”

Lymphedema can affect one or both limbs, and sometimes other areas like the trunk, abdomen, or head and neck. It can be localized or widespread, and it often progresses slowly, making early management crucial.

Lipedema, on the other hand, involves fat accumulation with fluid retention, usually symmetrically. It commonly affects both legs or both arms but stops at the wrists or ankles, leaving feet and hands unaffected.

“Patients with lipedema often have slim feet and hands but swelling above that,” Katie says. “It’s a different presentation from lymphedema, and the management approach can be different, too. Compression helps both, but the type of garment and how it’s worn can change based on the diagnosis.”

In both cases, compression is not just a comfort measure — it’s a tool to control swelling, manage pain, and prevent progression.

Why Medical-Grade Compression Is Different

With so many “compression socks” available online and in stores, it’s easy to assume they’re all the same.

They’re not.

“Over-the-counter compression isn’t regulated,” Katie says. “It’s often very light pressure, generic sizing, and not medically tested. It might help a little with mild swelling, but it’s not the same thing as medical-grade compression.”

Medical-grade garments are FDA-regulated and fitted to precise measurements. They provide a graduated compression profile that supports vascular and lymphatic flow safely and effectively.

This requires proper fitting — typically measuring the ankle, calf, thigh, and leg length, and for pantyhose, the waist and hips. Compression strength is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) — the same unit used to measure blood pressure.

“To give people a reference point,” Katie explains, “30 mmHg is about what a lightly inflated blood pressure cuff feels like. So it’s firm but not painful. The problem with guessing your size or buying something off the shelf is you could end up with pressure in the wrong place — and that can actually restrict blood flow.”

Insurance Coverage: A Game-Changer for Patients

For years, cost was a major barrier to compression therapy. Many patients had to pay entirely out of pocket. That changed on January 1, 2024, with the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

“This has been huge,” Katie says. “Patients with lymphedema now have Medicare coverage for compression garments. That includes three daytime garments per affected body part every six months and two nighttime garments every two years. And we’re already seeing private insurance companies follow that lead.”

This level of coverage can make the difference between someone wearing the right garment daily — or skipping treatment entirely.

“Compression isn’t something patients wear once and forget about,” Katie adds. “It’s daily management. And when insurance steps in to support that, we see better outcomes.”

Daytime vs. Nighttime Garments: A 24-Hour Strategy

Compression isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach — and it isn’t a one-garment solution either.

“For lymphedema and lipedema patients, we usually look at both a daytime garment and a nighttime garment,” Katie explains. “They work together to keep swelling under control around the clock.”

Daytime garments are usually flat-knit stockings or adjustable wraps that provide structured containment while the patient is active. Nighttime garments are often padded and designed for lower-pressure, comfortable compression while sleeping. They help maintain the limb’s volume, preventing fluid from returning overnight.

“The idea isn’t to squeeze harder at night,” Katie says. “It’s to hold the progress you made during the day. That combination gives patients a lot more control.”

Garment Care: Protecting Your Investment

A high-quality medical compression garment can last several months — if cared for correctly.

“The number one thing I tell everyone: no dryer,” Katie laughs. “Heat is the enemy. It breaks down the fibers, weakens the compression, and shortens the garment’s life.”

Her recommended care routine is simple:

• Hand wash or use a gentle cycle with mild detergent.
  
  

• No bleach.
  
  

• No fabric softener.
  
  

• Lay flat to dry — never use heat.
  
  

Thuasne backs its products with a six-month warranty, but with proper care, garments can often stay effective longer.

Compression Beyond Vascular Care: Sports & Recovery

Compression isn’t just for patients managing chronic conditions. It’s increasingly used in sports and orthopedic recovery.

“Some hospitals are putting patients in compression garments right after surgery,” Katie notes. “It helps reduce swelling, gets them moving faster, and improves recovery outcomes. We’re seeing this especially in orthopedic procedures.”

Athletes are also embracing compression for performance and recovery — including runners, martial artists, cyclists, and weekend warriors.

“Compression helps reduce lactic acid buildup, improves circulation, and can even help prevent cramping,” Katie says. “It’s a great tool for anyone putting strain on their body.”

Post-Surgical Applications and Specialized Garments

Compression also plays a key role in post-operative recovery for patients undergoing vein treatments, orthopedic procedures, and breast surgeries.

One standout product is the Moby Derm Intimate Bra — a soft, structured compression bra designed to support healing after procedures like augmentation, reduction, lumpectomy, or mastectomy.

“It provides 5 to 10 mmHg of gentle compression,” Katie explains. “And it has mobilizing pads that can be used or removed depending on the patient’s needs. For breast surgery patients, managing swelling isn’t just about comfort — it’s about improving the healing process.”

Sizing for post-surgical compression is also unique.

“We always recommend measuring post-op,” Katie adds. “Your size before surgery isn’t going to be
your size after. And with breast surgery, even small differences in fit can affect comfort and healing.”

Patient Education Is Everything

One of Katie’s biggest passions is educating patients and providers. She’s seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes when someone actually understands their condition, their garment, and their options.

“So many patients come in thinking compression is going to be uncomfortable or complicated,” she says. “But once they’re properly fitted, they realize how much better they feel.”

That education includes everything from how to measure, how to don and doff the garment correctly, when to wear it, and how to care for it.

“It’s empowering,” she says. “When patients understand their own care, they’re more consistent. And consistency is everything in compression therapy.”

Designed for Comfort — and Safety

Long wear time makes material choice critically important.

“All of our compression garments are 100% latex-free,” Katie emphasizes. “A lot of people wear these for 12 or more hours a day. If they have an allergy or sensitivity, it’s a big deal. We want them to be safe, supported, and comfortable.”

The company also offers a broad size range and designs that accommodate different lifestyles, mobility levels, and personal preferences — because comfort can be the deciding factor in whether a patient sticks with their therapy.

A Company with Deep Roots — and Big Plans

“Thuasne has been around for 178 years,” says Katie Baird, Clinical Sales Manager for the company. “We were founded in France and we’re still family-owned and women-owned. We came into the U.S. in 2020 when we acquired Knit-Rite and TheraFirm, and since then we’ve been expanding our product offerings and building brand recognition. The best part is, we’re still growing.”

What’s remarkable is how deeply American roots complement Thuasne’s global story. Knit-Rite, founded in 1923, has been a cornerstone of U.S. medical textile innovation for over a century.

Its division, Therafirm, has been crafting medical compression garments since the 1950s, combining clinical precision with patient comfort. Both brands are headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, where their garments continue to be proudly made in the USA.

Together, Thuasne, Knit-Rite, and Therafirm form a transatlantic partnership built on quality, innovation, and patient empowerment — blending nearly two centuries of European expertise with American manufacturing excellence.

Why Compression Therapy Matters

Compression therapy is sometimes overlooked in the bigger world of medical care — but it shouldn’t be. It’s often one of the most effective, least invasive ways to support vascular and lymphatic health, speed up recovery, and improve daily life.

For patients living with chronic conditions, compression can reduce pain and swelling, improve mobility, and prevent complications. For surgical patients, it can mean a smoother, faster recovery. For athletes, it can be a secret weapon for performance and healing.

And thanks to new coverage through the Lymphedema Treatment Act and growing innovation from companies like Thuasne, more people than ever have access to it.

“Compression isn’t a small thing,” Katie says. “For a lot of patients, it’s the thing that helps them stay active, keep their independence, and feel like themselves again.”

Key Takeaways for Patients

• Get properly fitted — compression only works if it’s the right size and strength.
  
  

• Choose medical-grade — OTC compression is not the same as regulated, prescribed garments.
  
  

• Wear it consistently — daily use leads to the best results.
  
  

• Care for your garment to extend its life and maintain its effectiveness.
  
  

• Ask your provider about coverage — many garments are now covered by Medicare and private insurance.
  
  

📎 Resources

• Thuasne Official Website (updated site coming soon!)
  
  

• Lymphedema Treatment Act
  
  

• Patient fitting guides and garment care instructions available through MCB DME