Traveling is among the favorite hobbies of most people and they are always ready to go on a trip when anyone asks them. However, one needs to be fit to get the most out of their trip; otherwise, they will have a hard time on their trip. It means that only fit people can go on a trip, especially an adventurous one. Now the question what if other people who are not fully fit want to go on an adventure trip? The solution for those people is compression socks.
Compression socks may be a new thing for people who are not travel enthusiasts. However, these have been in existence for a long and are made to help people, especially travel enthusiasts to help them avoid knee and leg pain. Compression socks are a must for you if you travel regularly because you never know when will you need them.
If you think that these are helpful only for serious medical purposes, then it is not the case as these keep your legs warm so you will feel comfortable. Let’s discuss the benefits of compression socks in detail. We have prepared the list of benefits after talking to people who are using or have used compression socks.
Benefits of Compression Socks
- Deter Potential Blood Clots
People who are frequent travelers, especially those who travel by air have to deal with problems such as blood clots. However, wearing compression socks keeps this problem at bay as these stimulate circulation in the lower half of your legs, which is useful when you have to sit for longer periods, such as on long flights.
Compression socks provide your legs the comfort that has no match at all. It is the best way to keep blood clots linked to deep vein thrombosis. It is because compression socks are elastic and prevent blood from stranding in the lower extremities, which helps in preventing blood clots.
- Prevent Leg Swelling
Some people, especially frequent travelers and sportspersons experience swollen legs. It happens when they travel by air, where there is a change in gravity, causing fluid retention in the legs below the knees and you experience swollen legs. In medical terms, we know this problem of swollen legs with the name gravitational edema.
If you think the elevation of the plane is the reason behind swollen legs, then it is not the case as it is the position of your body and gravity that forces the body fluids down to your lower half. It is difficult to stand up, walk, and stretch on a plane; however, when you wear compression socks
The good news is that this problem can be easily prevented with the right compression socks, which will increase circulation and thus prevent swelling in your lower legs.
- Fight Against Leg Fatigue
Wearing compression socks is not only helpful during air travel but it will be useful once you get out of the plane. Your legs will take time to get used to the activity once you step out of the plane after a long flight. However, if you wear compression socks during your travel, you will walk as usual after you come out of the plane as your legs will no longer feel fatigued.
A good piece of advice to prevent your legs from fatigue is to go with non-medical compression socks which will push blood circulation and there will be no leg fatigue once you step out of the plane. Even these socks will make you feel more active as a tourist.
The above are the top benefits, now the question is how to choose the right compression socks for travel. So, now we will talk about considerations that you will have to consider to get the best compression socks.
- Understand Compression Levels
Understanding the compression level of the compression socks is important as compression socks come with different compression levels. The compression level ranges from mild, to moderate to firm compression. The right compression level depends on your purpose behind wearing the compression socks.
The mild compression socks are for general purposes while the moderate ones are for people who are facing the problem of blood clots. The firm compression socks are for people who are having some serious issues like varicose veins and significant swelling.
- Take Advice of Your Physician
A good piece of advice when you are planning to buy compression socks is to take the advice of your physician as they are the ones who know your health condition better. Even you can visit a specialist such as a vascular specialist who can suggest compression socks based on your health condition.
- Take Proper Measurement of Your Legs
If you want the compression socks that you buy to fit you perfectly, then you should take proper measurements of your legs. By measurement, we mean measuring the circumference of the ankle, calf, and thigh. When you have these measurements with you, the job of finding the right compression socks will become easier than ever.
- Have a Look at Graduated Compression
Having a look at the graduated compression of the compression socks is important. Ensure the socks you buy have high pressure on the ankle which gets decreased as it moves up the leg. This is because graduated compression improves blood circulation by pushing it back toward the heart.
Material
The material of the compression socks you buy is essential and always go for socks that are made of breathable and moisture-wicking material so that you will always feel comfortable. The breathability ensures that you can wear the compression socks for a longer time than usual.
Conclusion: This is all about compression socks that are a must to add to your packing list when you are planning for a trip. These are useful not only when you go out but you can wear them to get rid of so many health problems, such as varicose veins and swollen legs. This post talks about the important benefits of wearing compression socks. Moreover, you will find tips on buying compression socks.