Are you experiencing any pain in your lower legs, feet, and ankles? If yes, and the pain has become regular, then what you can do is go for compression therapy. Just in case, you are not familiar with compression therapy, then there is no need to worry as the answer lies here. The answer is simple, it is just a special kind of therapy that increases the blood circulation in the lower legs, feet, and ankles.
When it comes to ways used to provide this therapy, there are numerous ways, which include the use of bandages and hosiery equipment to tighten your legs, intermittent pneumatic compression, and complex compression systems. Once the therapy is over, you will no longer experience any pain or swollen legs.
If we talk about compression therapy, then it is not new as it has been there for thousands of years and there are multiple references to this therapy’s use in history books. One such good example of compression therapy’s use is from ancient Egypt, where a primitive form of compression bandage was used to bind and treat leg injuries.
If we talk about modern-day compression socks, then those have been around since the 1930s and were first used by Conrad Jobst, a German-born tool and die maker, who was also the inventor of these socks. He used to be a sufferer of leg pain and swollen legs, which led to the invention of compression socks. Let’s now discuss the working of compression socks.
Know How Compression Socks Work
Good blood circulation is essential for vein health as poor blood circulation brings with it so many health problems, such as varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), spider veins, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The only solution to get rid of all these health problems is a pair of compression socks, which when worn applies sustained pressure to the legs and further forces the blood to flow upward through the veins and back to the heart.
If you think that compression socks are meant for elderly people whose vein problems are quite common. However, this is not the case because these can be worn by any individual who is facing health problems such as swollen or paining legs. These are best for athletes who are recovering from injuries as these socks help them recover quickly. These are best for pregnant women who face the problem of swollen legs. These socks will look stylish while providing them relief from pain.
How Wearing Compression Socks Prove Helpful?
When you wear compression socks, you no longer have to face the problem of tired and achy legs. Not only this, these socks help combat health issues such as swollen legs, ankles, and feet and even these prove helpful in keeping troublesome and annoying varicose and spider veins at bay. While wearing these, you always feel lightheaded and refreshed. Let’s now shed light on the levels of compression offered by compression socks.
Levels of Compression
When we talk about the compression levels of compression socks, the compression levels range from light to mild and mild to extra firm. Let’s discuss them all one by one.
- Mild Compression Socks
Mild compression socks are for those who already have healthy blood circulation but are facing mild symptoms like swollen legs or ankles. Generally, these are good for people who have to remain in one position such as sitting or standing. You don’t need a doctor’s recommendation for wearing these socks.
- Medium Compression Socks
Medium compression socks are introductory compression socks, recommended by physicians at the beginning of treatment of leg pain. These socks will help you get rid of achy and tired limbs. As discussed, you need to discuss this with your physician before you wear these socks.
- Firm Compression Socks
The name says it all, as firm compression socks are meant for serious limb conditions, such as a drop in blood pressure, or a health condition, such as lymphatic edema. When you visit your physician with any of the above-mentioned health issues, your physician will probably ask you to wear firm compression socks, which are typically designed for complex limb issues.
- Extra Firm Compression Socks
Again, here the name says that these extra-firm compression socks are meant for more serious health issues, such as severe lymphedema. However, you should not wear these socks until your physician suggests you wear them.
Duration – You Should Wear Compression Socks
The duration of wearing compression socks all depends on your health condition. As for mild to medium health conditions, wearing these socks for a few hours a day is sufficient. For serious health conditions, you may need to wear compression all day (excluding night). You want to know why compressions are avoided at night time. It is because at night you are in the prone position and the function of these socks is to move blood away from your feet, which will block the flow of blood.
Conclusion: The invention of compression socks is nothing less than a boon to mankind as these socks help you alleviate leg pain and swollen legs. In this post, we have talked about compression socks in detail. So you should give it a reading. Hope you will like it, share your thoughts in the comments.