Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Compression Socks?TypesBenefitsHow Do They Work?Side EffectsCan Anyone Wear Compression Socks?How Often Should You Wear Them?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are Compression Socks?
Types
Benefits
How Do They Work?
Side Effects
Can Anyone Wear Compression Socks?
How Often Should You Wear Them?
Compression socks—also known as compression stockings—are a garment that applies pressure to the ankles, lower legs, and feet. This type of legging comes in several different sizes and strengths and can serve a variety of medical purposes.
This article will detail how compression socks work, why people wear them, and which type might be right for your individual needs.
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Many types of compression stockings are available over the counter and without a prescription. In some cases, however, your medical provider may recommend custom stockings. In these situations, the provider will typically take measurements of your legs to ensure the socks fit appropriately and provide the necessary pressure.
Types of Compression Socks
Finding the right type ofcompression sockscan be confusing. This is because there are several different variables to consider, including:
Ensure a Proper Fit!Make sure your compression socks are snug but not uncomfortably tight. Though you should feel the pressure applied, the stockings should not cut off your circulation or cause soreness.
Ensure a Proper Fit!
Make sure your compression socks are snug but not uncomfortably tight. Though you should feel the pressure applied, the stockings should not cut off your circulation or cause soreness.
Benefits of Compression Socks
Wearing compression socks can offer a variety of health benefits, including:
What Happens When You Wear Compression Socks All Day?
How Do Compression Socks Work?
The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body through the arteries. After providing nourishment to a given area, the blood pumps back to the heart through the body’s veins. Because the blood in the legs has to fight gravity and travel the farthest distance back to the heart, its flow occasionally becomes impaired.
Side Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings
Wearing compression stockings is reasonably safe. It is important, however, to consult with your medical provider and closely follow the wearing schedule they suggest. This is because wearing ill-fitting stockings for too long can lead to skin irritation and breakdown. Moisture buildup from perspiration may also cause localized infections to develop.
Varicose Vein Pain: What It Feels Like and How to Find Relief
In very rare cases,pressure ulcersor even nerve injuries can also result from improperly fitting stockings. These situations are extremely uncommon and usually occur in individuals with poor sensation in their lower extremities.
There are only a few groups of individuals who may be contraindicated from wearing compression socks. This includes people with:
If you have questions about whether wearing compression stockings is appropriate for your condition, speak to a medical professional.
How Often Should You Wear Compression Socks?
Most people can wear compression socks on a daily basis. That said, the wearing schedule can vary greatly from person to person depending on the reason for wearing the stockings. Though some people wear compression socks only while exercising, others who are at risk of a blood clot may wear the stockings the entire time they are awake.
Leg Swelling
Taking your stockings off intermittently to prevent infections or skin irritation from occurring is important. Your healthcare provider is your best resource for determining a schedule that best fits your individual needs.
Summary
Compression socks are a medical garment that applies pressure to the legs, ankles, and feet. These stockings can serve a variety of purposes including preventing blood clots, improving circulation, and reducing swelling. Though wearing these socks is relatively safe, talking to your medical provider about what type of sock and pressure is right for you is important.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yale Medicine.Blood clots, varicose veins, and sore legs: can compression socks help?Dahm KT, Myrhaug HT, Strømme H, et al.Effects of preventive use of compression stockings for elderly with chronic venous insufficiency and swollen legs: A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Geriatr. 2019;19:76. doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1087-1MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.Mota GR, de Moura Simim MA, dos Santos IA, et al.Effects of wearing compression stockings on exercise performance and associated indicators: A systematic review.Open Access J Sports Med. 2020;11:29-42. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S198809Robertson BF, Thomson CH, Siddiqui H.Side effects of compression stockings: a case report.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(623):316-317. doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680341Lim CS, Davies AH.Graduated compression stockings.CMAJ. 2014;186(10):E391-E398. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131281
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yale Medicine.Blood clots, varicose veins, and sore legs: can compression socks help?Dahm KT, Myrhaug HT, Strømme H, et al.Effects of preventive use of compression stockings for elderly with chronic venous insufficiency and swollen legs: A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Geriatr. 2019;19:76. doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1087-1MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.Mota GR, de Moura Simim MA, dos Santos IA, et al.Effects of wearing compression stockings on exercise performance and associated indicators: A systematic review.Open Access J Sports Med. 2020;11:29-42. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S198809Robertson BF, Thomson CH, Siddiqui H.Side effects of compression stockings: a case report.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(623):316-317. doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680341Lim CS, Davies AH.Graduated compression stockings.CMAJ. 2014;186(10):E391-E398. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131281
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yale Medicine.Blood clots, varicose veins, and sore legs: can compression socks help?Dahm KT, Myrhaug HT, Strømme H, et al.Effects of preventive use of compression stockings for elderly with chronic venous insufficiency and swollen legs: A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Geriatr. 2019;19:76. doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1087-1MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.Mota GR, de Moura Simim MA, dos Santos IA, et al.Effects of wearing compression stockings on exercise performance and associated indicators: A systematic review.Open Access J Sports Med. 2020;11:29-42. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S198809Robertson BF, Thomson CH, Siddiqui H.Side effects of compression stockings: a case report.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(623):316-317. doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680341Lim CS, Davies AH.Graduated compression stockings.CMAJ. 2014;186(10):E391-E398. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131281
Yale Medicine.Blood clots, varicose veins, and sore legs: can compression socks help?
Dahm KT, Myrhaug HT, Strømme H, et al.Effects of preventive use of compression stockings for elderly with chronic venous insufficiency and swollen legs: A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Geriatr. 2019;19:76. doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1087-1
MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.
Mota GR, de Moura Simim MA, dos Santos IA, et al.Effects of wearing compression stockings on exercise performance and associated indicators: A systematic review.Open Access J Sports Med. 2020;11:29-42. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S198809
Robertson BF, Thomson CH, Siddiqui H.Side effects of compression stockings: a case report.Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(623):316-317. doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680341
Lim CS, Davies AH.Graduated compression stockings.CMAJ. 2014;186(10):E391-E398. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131281
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