Whether you travel by plane, train, automobile, or bus, any trip that lasts more than a few hours could leave your legs swollen and achy. And if you travel for a long period of time (5 hours or more), the problem can become more serious. So, why is travel so hard on legs?

When you travel, you’re essentially confined to your seat. Sitting in tight, cramped quarters for long periods of time does not allow you to stretch or exercise your leg muscles — the muscles that are responsible for assisting the venous blood flow back to your heart. As the hours of inactivity add up, your circulation slows down.

You may notice swelling, discomfort, or even pain in your legs, ankles, or feet. The longer you ride without exercising or stretching, the worse you may feel. But swollen and achy legs are just one part of the problem. Travelers need to be aware of, and take measures against, a more serious condition called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

WHAT IS A DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)?

This condition involves the formation of blood clots (thrombi) in the deep veins of the leg. A DVT forms when blood pools in the legs, and coagulates due to prolonged inactivity. Blood clots are dangerous because they can break off after the trip or even several days later and move with the flow of blood through the heart into the lungs, where they can block major blood vessels and cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

The first signs of impaired blood circulation that may become apparent during the trip are swelling and shooting pain in the legs. However, these warning signs are not always present before the thrombosis occurs. It can develop unnoticed and, in rare cases, even apparently healthy people may suffer a DVT.

Aggravating factors, particularly during long-haul flights, are the low cabin pressure that increases the tendency of the blood to stagnate in the veins and low humidity that causes large amounts of body fluid to evaporate. As a result, the blood thickens even more and the formation of blood clots is more probable.

WHO’S AT RISK?

Anyone who travels. There is growing evidence that everyone who takes a trip of 5 hours or more can suffer from these effects.

Even people with no history of venous leg health problems or previous incidences of leg swelling or discomfort can develop a DVT during travel.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH DURING TRAVEL?

1. Walk the aisles every hour.
   The movement of the muscles stimulates blood circulation and assists the activity of the veins.
2. Exercise your legs.
   When you are seated, stretch and contract calf muscles by periodically flexing your feet.
3. Don’t sit for long periods with your legs crossed.
   Crossing your legs constricts the veins and hinders the return flow of the blood.
4. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
   This compensates for fluid loss caused by the low air pressure in an airplane’s cabin.
5. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
   Alcohol relaxes muscles even further and causes blood vessels to dilate, potentially causing more pooling.
6. Wear comfortable clothes.
   Tight clothing and high-heeled shoes restrict your freedom of movement even further and adversely affect your blood circulation.
7. Wear JOBST® Travel Socks.
   Whether your trip is long or short, JOBST® Travel Socks will make the entire journey more comfortable.
   
   Have a good trip!

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH DURING TRAVEL?

Gradient compression technology is what makes JOBST® Travel Socks special. They are specially designed to counteract the effects of inactivity during travel.

JOBST® Travel Socks apply gradient compression to your legs. Gradient compression is highest at the ankle and tapers off up the calf. This helps promote the venous blood flow in your legs, prevent leg swelling and discomfort, and reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation.

In addition, JOBST® Travel Socks help make the trip comfortable, energize the legs, and leave travelers refreshed when they reach their destination.

JOBST® Travel Socks are high-quality knee socks. The soft cotton blend and stylish dress pattern make JOBST® Travel Socks perfect for anytime – on the plane and off; any attire – business and casual; anybody – men and women.

JOBST® is a worldwide leader in the research, development, and manufacture of innovative medical gradient compression garments and the #1 physician- recommended brand of medical hosiery in the U.S.A.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF JOBST® TRAVEL SOCKS

STYLISH DRESS SOCK APPEARANCE

• Ideal for men and women
• Ribbed pattern complements both business and casual attire

GRADIENT COMPRESSION

• Helps promote venous blood flow in your legs
• Helps prevent leg swelling and discomfort
• Helps reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation in a DVT

SOFT COTTON BLEND

• Excellent breathability
• Softness next to the skin for optimum wearing comfort