Compression Socks

Good circulation is one of the most important parts of your health. Problems with blood flow can lead to uncomfortable aches and pains, and in some situations, they can even be dangerous. While it might seem harmless, sitting in one position for long periods of time it can prevent blood from flowing the way it should, but compression socks might offer a simple solution.  The veins get a boost pushing blood back to your heart when wearing compression socks. By providing consistent pressure along with leg movement, they encourage blood to flow upward from your ankles through the deep veins in your legs and back toward your heart, helping to prevent blood pooling and swelling.  Compression socks can keep your legs from getting tired and achy. They can also ease swelling in your feet and ankles as well as help prevent and treat spider veins and varicose veins.  There are numerous benefits to wearing compression socks from reducing swelling, to improving circulation and reducing your risk of blood clots.

The compression socks function by gently squeezing your legs, which helps you get better circulation from the venous blood flow back up and into your legs. This works by reducing the diameter of major veins by increasing the volume and velocity of blood flow.  This will help improve blood flow back toward the heart. The compression socks will diminish the likelihood of pooling blood that leads to circulatory problems. As well as help prevent blood from refluxing downward to the foot or laterally into superficial veins.  When a patient has chronic blood pooling and swelling this can lead to problems such as venous ulcers, DVTs, and possibly lymphedema.

Benefits of compression socks include; boosting circulation, support your veins, prevent blood from pooling in your leg veins, diminish leg swelling, reduce orthostatic hypotension which causes lightheadedness or unsteadiness when you stand, help prevent venous ulcers, prevent development of deep vein thrombosis in your legs, help lessen pain caused by varicose veins, reverse venous hypertension, improve lymphatic drainage, energize your legs, alleviate achiness & heaviness, and aid in muscle recovery.

What are the type of compression stockings available and how do each of them work?  One type are graduated compression stockings.  In graduated compression stockings, the level of compression is strongest at the ankle and gradually decreases towards the top. They are designed for mobility and to meet certain length and strength medical specifications. Graduated compression stockings typically require a professional fitting. Stockings that end just below the knee help limit peripheral edema, or lower leg swelling due to fluid buildup.  Stockings that extend to the thigh or waist help reduce pooling of blood in the legs and help prevent orthostatic hypotension.  Anti-embolism stockings reduce the possibility of deep vein thrombosis.  Like graduated stockings, they provide gradient compression. However, the level of compression differs.  Anti-embolism stockings are designed for those who are not mobile.  Nonmedical support hosiery does not typically require a prescription. They include elastic support hose and flight socks sold as potential relief for tired, aching legs.  These deliver uniform compression that exerts less pressure than prescription compression stockings.  You can find nonmedical compression stockings at most pharmacies or online.

Compression stockings apply pressure to your legs and ankles to promote blood flow from your lower extremities to your heart.  If your doctor prescribes compression stockings to help you with a condition such as venous insufficiency, remember to: get fitted properly, follow instructions for properly putting on and removing them, follow all your doctor’s instructions including when and how long to wear them, monitor any skin changes in the areas that come in contact with the stockings.