Socks can do more than keep the feet warm and dry. It is a specialized sock that improves and prevents health conditions. Compression socks or compression stockings are specialized socks that apply gentle pressure to the legs and ankles. They help improve blood flow from the legs to the heart.
Check compression socks online to understand how it helps decrease swelling and pain in the ankles and legs. Applying pressure to the legs reduces extra fluid and reduces inflammation. It ultimately improves the blood flow through veins to the heart.
Basics of compression socks
You can buy compression socks online or in big box stores. It depends on the type of compression sock that is right for you, you need the doctor’s prescription and professional fitting for the maximum results. There are 2 primary types of compression socks:
- Anti-embolism stockings. It is a type of stocking that features graduated compression, decreasing from the ankle upwards, but is used for people who aren’t mobile. Anti-embolism socks help reduce the chances of developing deep vein thrombosis.
- Graduated compression socks. It is a type of compression stocking with the strongest at the ankles and lessens up towards the knee. If you have orthostatic hypotension and peripheral edema, the doctor recommends this type.
- Non Medical support hosiery. It is a compression sock that doesn’t require a prescription and is available at most pharmacies. The support hosiery offers a similar level of compression all over the socks and provides relief for tired achy legs.
Who can benefit from wearing compression socks?
Compression socks are beneficial for different conditions. The doctor recommends wearing compression socks for:
- Enhancing circulation in legs
- Reducing swelling in ankles and legs
- Boosting lymphatic drainage
- Preventing blood from pooling in leg veins
- Managing low blood pressure
- Keeping deep vein thrombosis in legs
- Keeping venous ulcers
- Reducing the pain related to varicose veins
- Reversing the venous hypertension
Compression socks are useful in some situations, too, such as:
- Athletes. For someone confined to a wheelchair, compression socks help improve blood flow and reduce swelling in the legs.
- Pregnant women. People prone to swelling in the legs or feet want to wear compression socks to reduce the chances of swelling.
- Airplane crew or passengers. For people working on feet all day long, compression socks help reduce fatigue and pain, resulting in swelling and increasing blood and oxygen flow in the feet and legs.
Compression socks are very useful when it comes to your health.
