A popular treatment for sore legs and swelling in your calves is compression socks. These garments can increase your energy levels and lower your risk of blood clots by encouraging healthy circulation. They will help stand-up men, endurance athletes and older adults.
Yet compression socks aren’t for everyone, and evidence shows the incorrect usage of them may be dangerous. In general, compression therapy works, and the American Venous Forum recommends treating the signs and symptoms associated with venous diseases.
An insight into Compression Socks:
Your circulatory system is pumping fresh, oxygen-rich blood from your heart through your veins. Once the oxygen is distributed in your body, the blood becomes depleted and returns to be replenished via a different set of veins.
The blood in your legs’ veins often has to work against gravity to get back into your heart. Because of this, veins and arteries in the legs are more likely to become weaker and become inefficient. That is when you are in dire need of compression socks.
How does compression therapy work?
Poor circulation prevents your body from sending throughout your system the needed blood, oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to pain, swelling and numbness. And how does compression therapy works? Wearing graded compression clothing exerts pressure to various degrees on the legs, which gives protection to the fabric-covered veins and speeds up blood flow. Studies show that compression stockings are effective when used to increase the velocity of venous blood flow and prevent leg swelling after prolonged staying and sitting periods.
Benefits of Compression Socks:
- Donating a pair of medical compression socks can do wonders for people with venous and lymphatic disorders, including deep venous thrombosis, varicose veins, lymphedema, oedema, leg ulcers and others. Different pressure levels, from mild to severe, are used to aid in the treatment of specific venous conditions.
- Doctors also prescribe investing in compression socks for people with diabetes to minimize swelling in the legs, ankles and feet and are one of the more severe side effects of diabetes. Doctors typically recommend diabetes socks to help correct hardening of the sugar-related arteries. Not all patients with diabetes are, however, good candidates for compression therapy, so always talk to your physicians.
- When you’re sitting all day, your muscles and tissues start getting tired, and the blood supply starts going down. That’s why your legs, feet and ankles may feel sore or tired following a long shift on your feet or a prolonged sitting period. Wearing compression hose or similar garments will improve blood supply whether you’re on or off the clock to minimize swelling and discomfort.
Are they harmful?
Compression socks are usually comfortable to carry when worn correctly. That doesn’t mean that in every situation, they are safe for everyone. Some people, like those with delicate or easily irritated skin, shouldn’t use compression socks. It’s also essential that they should be of your size. Also, the skin may become irritated if one wears the same pair of compression socks repeatedly without washing or for an extended period.
Compression therapy may be unsafe for people with arterial insufficiency (arterial disease), as it can result in ischemic necrosis (death of bone tissue). Those with congestive heart failure related skin sensation disorders, dermatitis or pulmonary oedema are not ideal candidates for compression therapy either. To avoid possible allergic reactions, it is necessary to read the product description, especially the material used in the manufacture of them, before purchasing.
How to use compression socks most safely?
To use compression socks, the safest way is to follow the guidance of a healthcare provider. If you wear compression socks that you bought over the counter, or if you would like to add compression socks to your routine, talk to a doctor.