Who Can Benefit from Wearing Compression Socks?
Compression socks are often seen as something for the elderly or for those who have some form of vein disease. And while it’s true that compression socks can provide exceptional pain relief and other medical benefits for these individuals, compression socks and other compression garments can provide enormous benefits for a much wider variety of people than you might imagine. Keep reading to learn who can benefit from wearing compression socks. You may be surprised to learn that you’re one of them!
Those Who Stand for Long Periods
Individuals who spend extended periods of time on their feet can see significant relief from the use of compression stockings or socks. Whether you’re a cashier, teacher, hairstylist, or any other type of worker who spends all day on your feet, you probably come home with tired, achy legs and swollen ankles. Compression socks can help to significantly reduce the pain and swelling you experience from spending the day on your feet so that you don’t come home in pain.
Pregnant Women
Pregnancy can cause significant swelling in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. This is due to a number of factors related to pregnancy, including increased fluid in the body. The excess blood flow that helps to nourish your growing baby can also tend to pool in your lower extremities, especially if you don’t elevate your feet frequently enough. While you should still take time to take a load off, compression socks can help provide a gentle pressure to the lower legs that stimulate blood flow and reduces this swelling. It’s also important to note that swollen ankles can occur at any time during pregnancy, and not just during the third trimester.
Frequent Travelers
Have you ever stood up at the end of a long flight or road trip and found your legs achy? For some people, there may even be noticeable swelling in the feet and ankles. Sitting for such extended periods of time can inhibit blood flow both to and from the lower extremities, which may ultimately lead to that swelling and achiness you feel when you can finally stretch your legs again. While paying for those few extra inches in first class could help, it’s also a good idea to make compression socks a part of your traveling wardrobe. This will prevent swelling and achiness, as well as helping to prevent clots in those who may be prone to them.
Avid Runners and Athletes
Compression garments of all kinds are becoming quite popular among athletes, especially runners. It’s important to note that compression socks and other such garments are not going to help you run faster or jump farther. So, why are they so popular among athletes? Simply put, these garments reduce those feelings of fatigue and speed recovery by promoting better blood flow. They’re particularly helpful for athletes recovering from injuries, because they prevent blood from pooling around the injured area, which leads to swelling and further pain.
Those Who Sit for Long Periods
Recent studies in the field of health have labeled prolonged sitting as “the new smoking.” As more and more people find themselves in stationary jobs, health experts are discovering just how detrimental this can be to your health. And while it’s still essential to get up and walk around periodically throughout your work day, compression socks can help to combat achiness and swelling in the legs that can be brought on by prolonged sitting.
Those with Diabetes
Foot care is extremely important for those with diabetes. Diabetes can cause poor circulation, leading to swelling in your legs, feet, and ankles. Ultimately this can lead to nerve damage in your feet as well. By applying pressure to your lower legs, compression stockings and socks help promote better blood flow back to the heart and lungs. This reduces pain and swelling, reduces the risk of blood clots, and reduces the likelihood of nerve damage in your feet. Additionally, you can look for compression socks with moisture wicking and antibacterial properties that will help prevent wounds, sores, and infections.
So, whether you sit or stand for your job, travel frequently, love to run, or engage in any other kind of activity that leads to fatigue and swelling in the lower leg, compression socks can actually provide some pretty significant relief. You don’t need to suffer from vein disease to benefit from compression socks. So, call or stop by one of our many locations to see what compression garments we have in stock, and we’ll help you to find the right one to suit your needs.