Compression Socks and Stockings

Compression stockings and socks are designed for compression therapy. They apply gentle pressure to your legs and ankles, promoting blood flow from your legs to your heart. They also help to reduce the inflammation, pain and swelling you may be experiencing.

At MyPinsOnline, we will cover the basics of compressions, socks and stockings and what you need to know about wearing or using them.

How do compression socks work?

Compression stockings are specially made; they are stretchy socks that gently squeeze your leg. The pressure the stockings apply to your legs helps your blood vessels work better and your veins get a boost pushing blood back to your heart.

Compression stockings apply pressure to your legs and ankles, which may:

• reduce the diameter of major veins by increasing the volume and velocity of blood flow
• help blood flow up toward the heart
• help prevent blood from refluxing downward to the foot or laterally into superficial veins

Why will you need Compression Socks?

They may be prescribed by a doctor if you have a condition that causes poor blood flow in your legs, such as varicose veins (swollen and enlarged veins) or lymphoedema (when your body’s tissues swell up).

Everyone is different, so there is no guarantee that compression stockings will help you, but it may be worth speaking to a doctor about how they could benefit you.

Compression Socks Are Often Used Post-Surgery

Compression socks are often recommended as a recovery tool after surgery. Some surgeries require you to be off your feet for long periods of time and doctors prescribe compression socks for people who won’t be able to stand and move around freely for days or weeks after surgery.

Benefits of compression socks

Compression socks or stockings keep your legs from getting achy and tired and easing the swelling in your legs and ankles. Here’s how compression stockings can benefit you and why your doctor may prescribe compression socks:

• support veins and preventing 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 the development of deep vein thrombosis in your legs
• help lessen the pain caused by varicose veins
• reverse venous hypertension
• improve lymphatic drainage

What You Can Expect

The biggest challenge with compression socks is getting them on because they need to be tight to work properly. Moisture makes it harder to pull stockings on. We’d recommend sitting in a chair for stability as you put on the stocking. Compression socks also come in a variety of fabrics and can range from knee to thigh-high. Once they’re on, the compression socks should lay smoothly against your skin and feel snug but not painful.

If you’re healthy and want to try using compression stockings on a long flight or have a job requiring lots of standing, or another non-medical reason, you can experiment to see what’s most comfortable and works best for you, starting with a low compression class stockings.