Benefits of wearing Compression Stockings

While some may think that support stockings are only used for medical related circumstances, we are finding that there are more and more benefits and reasons to wear support stockings.  Whether you use compression socks, support stockings, or compression stockings, odds are you are referring to the same type of product.  With all the new styles, fabrics, and colors available, it has become easier to wear support stockings every day without looking obvious when wearing these special garments.  For example, compression stockings for men are typically designed to look like regular men’s dress socks and come in popular colors like black, navy, or khaki.  Whether man or woman, young or old, compression stockings can help increase blood circulation throughout your body, which helps boost your energy levels and reduce swelling, tiredness, or soreness in your legs and lower body.

If you travel frequently or only occasionally take long trips by car or plane, there are a number of benefits to wearing compression socks during your travels.  There’s even something called “economy class syndrome” that refers to the increased risk of blood clots after sitting in the same, cramped positions for an extended period of time.  Wearing compression stockings during travel has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).  Plus, the increased circulation brought on my compression socks can help lessen the feeling on lower body fatigue, achiness, and soreness post-travel.  If you are sleeping or lying down for long periods of time, you may want to remove your compression stockings, but do check with your doctor about wearing compression stockings when sleeping or lying down.

If your job requires you to sit or stand in the same place for extended periods of time, wearing compression socks are very beneficial.  The graduated pressure provided by compression socks helps bring relief to tired, achy feet and legs.  As mentioned, there are compression stockings for men available that are so discreet that they look very similar to the ordinary socks you might already wear to work every day. You should always check with your doctor to make sure there isn’t a limit to the amount of consecutive time you can wear your support stockings during the day.  Sometimes, wearing the support stockings in excess of the time indicated by your doctor can worsen symptoms or lead to other complications.  Otherwise, you could wear the compression socks all day long to maintain a healthy increase in circulation and ward off swelling or muscle fatigue.

Athletes of all kinds are catching on to the benefits of wearing compression socks during workouts, training and recovery.  High tech fibers and materials for sports compression socks provide support for your feet, ankles, calves and legs, while the graduated pressure helps improve circulation in your legs and muscles. Thisallows for faster recovery, better performance during long workouts and reduced muscle fatigue. Compression socks even feature padded foot soles for additional comfort and extra-breathable fibers for advanced heat and moisture management.

For years now, pregnant women have enjoyed wearing maternity compression stockings because of they help prevent varicose veins brought on by pregnancy.  Maternity compression stockings can also help with other ailments that come about with the increased strain on an expectant mother’s circulation system.  Swelling, leg cramps, and general leg achiness are common in pregnancy, but can be eased through the proper use of compression stockings.  The extra boost in circulation provided by the support stockings can help to re-energize tired and sore legs, while also helping to relieve the “heaviness” many moms-to-be experience in their lower body.

There are no rules stating that you must have the negative symptoms relieved by compression stockings before you can start wearing them, but you should check with your doctor.  Standing for a long period of time can cause blood to pool in your feet, while sitting can cause unhealthy constriction of the blood vessels in your legs.  The undesirable effects of these conditions can take a while to show, as can the appearance of varicose veins or spider veins.  Wearing compression socks regularly can help to prevent or ward off such circulation issues from becoming a problem for you.