In simple terms, compression socks are elastic garments worn to apply pressure to the user’s legs. They come in various lengths and are designed to gently squeeze the legs more than typical socks would.
Today, there are various types of compression socks available on the market. There are pairs for everyday use, options specifically made for medical applications, and variants designed for athletes and physically active individuals. In terms of aesthetics, many brands offer American made compression socks in a wide range of colors and designs that are suitable for adults of any age.
Are you considering getting a pair for yourself? Do you feel a little hesitant to do so, considering that a good quality pair does cost quite a bit of money? To help you decide whether buying compression socks may be worth it for your particular use cases, continue reading to learn about what you may gain from investing in them.
Everyday Uses of Compression Socks
One of the purposes of wearing compressions socks is to minimize and prevent swelling in the legs. To be specific, these socks aid in promoting healthy blood flow in the legs during extended periods of sitting or standing.
Because of these benefits, these products may be worthwhile for individuals who have jobs that require them to stay on their feet or sit all day long. Whether you’re always on the move or work at a desk for hours on end, wearing compression socks can minimize the leg pain and aches that you may feel at the end of the day.
Compression socks can also be practical for people who like to travel. They can keep your legs from aching after spending days walking from one destination to another. They’re also great if you find yourself having to stand in the middle of a crowded train or wait in line for the next bus to arrive.
The same goes for long-haul flights. Sitting on a long flight can limit your movements, especially if you don’t have much legroom. This can cause the blood circulation in your legs to weaken, causing blood to collect in the lower limbs and increase your chances of developing clots.
Medical Uses and Benefits of Compression Socks
While there are compression socks made for daily use, there are also options that are designed to be used by people with certain health conditions.
Generally, medical-grade compression socks are used to minimize the painful symptoms of health problems such as edema. They are also made to prevent venous insufficiency in the lower limbs. Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves of the veins fail to function, causing blood to pool in the legs instead of being pumped back up to the heart.
When worn, compression socks gently squeeze the legs, increasing the pressure applied onto the tissues beneath the skin. This decreases the leakage of excess fluids from the capillaries. At the same time, this applied pressure helps the capillaries and lymphatic vessels better absorb the tissue fluid.
Another popular use of compression socks is to avoid varicose veins, a condition caused by faulty valves in the veins. Varicose veins occur when veins become swollen, enlarged, and twisted due to blood pooling or flowing in the wrong direction. It can also cause the veins to become a noticeable blue or dark purple color. Fortunately, wearing compression socks can keep the superficial veins from expanding and filling with blood, preventing blood from flowing backward and causing congestions.
Benefits of Using Compression Socks for Physical Activities
Apart from being a popular garment for healthcare reasons, many athletes believe wearing compression socks can aid in their recovery after participating in physically intensive activities. For example, many runners wear compression socks to decrease the inflammation, muscle soreness, and fatigue they experience after a long jog or a few laps around the track.
While studies are still inconclusive regarding compression socks’ ability to enhance physical performance, many athletes swear by these products. Some people believe that these socks can improve the delivery of oxygen to one’s muscles, enhancing blood circulation in the lower limbs.
Others believe that they experience so many positive effects on their performance simply because they enjoy wearing compression socks. That is to say since they feel good whenever they’re wearing the garment, it puts them in a positive mindset, allowing them to perform better.
If you want to experience the many benefits of compression socks for yourself, you can go ahead and try wearing a pair. In the beginning, you might feel uncomfortable with them on your legs, especially if you aren’t used to them yet. If it will help, think of the process as like breaking in new shoes. After you’ve worn them for a while, you’ll soon adjust to how they feel on your lower limbs, and you’ll be able to enjoy the advantages these kinds of socks have to offer.
