What are the Benefits of Wearing Compression Socks?

It used to be that compression socks were little more than a tool used by the elderly to treat Diabetes and other serious health conditions. Today, science understands that compression can be of immense benefit to people across a broad spectrum of health statuses ranging from healthy and highly active to sedentary and sick.

From relieving muscle pain to lowering the risk of vein disorders, stylish and modern compression socks carry all of these benefits (and much more).

Protection Against Vein Disorders

Patients who struggle with vein conditions in the legs can significantly benefit from compression socks. For example, patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may wear them all the time to prevent blood clots that form as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. This includes patients who are:

• wheelchair bound
• bedbound
• recovering from surgical interventions who may lack mobility

Compression socks can also benefit ordinary individuals by providing the veins and circulatory system in the legs with additional support, thereby reducing the risk of DVT in the first place. This is an easy and effective preventative measure for patients who have a family history of DVT, who fly regularly, or who may be at risk of developing a vein-related disorder.

Patients with varicose (collapsed) veins may also wear compression socks. Often, these patients have concomitant circulatory disorders caused by diabetes, heart conditions, or venous leg ulcers.

One study published in Swiss Medical Weekly indicated that up to 30 percent of women who become pregnant for the first time develop unsightly and sometimes painful veins. Because the risk for spontaneous DVT and varicose veins is exceptionally high in pregnant women, doctors often encourage pregnant patients to wear light compression socks as a preventative measure.

Prevention of Swelling

People who spend a lot of time on their feet may benefit from wearing compression socks because they reduce or prevent swelling. As the patient stands, blood can pool in the lower legs, causing edema and even heightening the risk of DVT. This is especially true for patients who must stand in one place for extended periods of time with minimal movement.

Compression socks improve circulation, aid lymph flow, and help the patient’s circulatory system to actively cycle blood and move waste away from the legs. The added support may mean the patient doesn’t experience as much soreness or swelling as they otherwise would.

Comfort During Travel

Do you spend a lot of time walking or sitting in the airport? Alternatively, do you fly, travel by bus, or travel by train regularly? If so, you may benefit from wearing compression socks during your travels.

Compression socks help the body maintain proper blood circulation when you are limited in your ability to move in cramped airplane quarters. This is of immense benefit for extended international or overnight flights and even road trips.

Patients with preexisting circulatory concerns obviously stand to benefit the most from wearing compression socks during travel. But everyday individuals can still benefit; they’ll reduce soreness, cramping, edema, and other lengthy travel leg problems.

Better Recovery from Exercise

Runners and Crossfit enthusiasts often wear compression socks to prevent injury, and with good reason: they often report decreased soreness after a workout with the extra support. This personal finding is backed by cold, hard science. Repeated studies show a direct link between wearing compression socks and experiencing faster recovery after cardiovascular workouts.

It is important to note that every athlete experiences their own individualized level of benefit. Truthfully, it depends on how much soreness you experience and just how active you are. Someone who runs 5 miles a week, for example, may actually benefit more than someone who runs everyday because the body is less acclimatized to recovery.

Some athletes may also benefit from knee-high compression socks. Gentle pressure below the knee increases circulation and moves lactic acid build-up away from the muscles. This is similar to the results achieved through deep tissue massage. The extra support around the ankle and/or knee may also reduce the risk for dislocations, twists, sprains, and strains.

Note that wearing compression socks during exercise may aid in injury prevention, but there isn’t any current research to support them as a performance-enhancing aid.

Are Compression Socks Safe?

Compression socks are largely safe — as long as they’re correctly fitted. Your pharmacist can measure and size you for compression socks, and may even suggest the right level of compression to achieve your goals.

When worn correctly, compression socks have minimal side effects (if any) for most patients. A design where the lower portion of the sock provides a higher compression level keeps support where it’s needed. That support tapers off as the blood flow is pushed upward to prevent pooling or restriction. Changes in the degree of tightness help keep the blood flowing up the leg without creating a tightness that pinches off circulation, causing more issues than it fixes.

Can I Use Compression Socks Safely?

The majority of people can safely wear compression socks with no complications at all. Most patients find them comfortable, snug, and even warm on cold days!

However, compression may be contraindicated in certain patient populations. This includes individuals with the following conditions:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Active skin infections
• Pulmonary edema
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Dermatitis and open wounds
• Significant, undiagnosed leg swelling

If you fall within one of these categories, speak with your pharmacist before you attempt to shop for compression socks. You may need an alternative sock style or a different treatment method altogether.

Compression Sock Sizes and Safety Tips

Your compression socks must fit you properly. There are no standardized measurements for compression socks, so your best bet is to get a tape measure and record your calf and ankle sizes. Check the sizing on each pair of compression socks you consider, looking for charts that break the S, M, L, and XL sizes into actual inches.

Remember: a loose fit won’t give you any benefit and a too-snug fit could cause you more harm than good.

Be sure to wash your compression socks regularly following only the directions on the back of the package. Failing to follow directions can cause runs and may even compromise compression.

If your doctor is asking you to wear compression socks for medical reasons, be sure to ask what degree of compression you should be wearing. Most medical-grade compression socks come in 15-20, 20-30, or 30-40 mmHg. The higher the number, the greater the pressure.

If you are wearing compression socks for running or other fitness reasons, be cautious of extraneous side effects. An improperly fitted socks may cause chafing, excess moisture build-up, and even painful blisters.

Those who do wear compression socks need to make sure they are doing so safely. The goal is to create compression that promotes blood flow without wearing socks that are so tight they actually cut off oxygen supply.

Any compression sock, no matter your reason for wearing it, needs to sit smoothly against the skin. Folds in the material can cause too much pressure in localized areas and cause injury. Likewise, bands that cut into the flesh or produce elastic band marks over the leg are likely much too tight.

Finally, never layer compression garments. Only wear compression socks over or under running tights if the tights are free from compressive properties.

In Conclusion

Compression won’t fix your underlying leg issues, especially if you’re diagnosed with advanced cardiovascular disease or venous insufficiency, but they certainly can slow the advancement of your disease. For the everyday individual or athlete, they can improve your ability to recover after each run. If you have questions about compression socks, or need assistance with sizing, stop by your local pharmacy for assistance.