What are compression socks used for? Pressure. They put pressure on areas of your body that need it. Here are the 7 big benefits of compression socks.
If you’re a runner, you may have noticed others around you wearing fancy-looking, long socks. Even if you aren’t an athlete, you’ve probably seen them in gyms, spas, or even medical facilities.
But, what are compression socks used for? Often, they’re used as a technique for muscle recovery.
Compression socks are growing in popularity for good reasons. If you want to learn more, check out these seven excellent health benefits!
What Are Compression Socks Used For and How Do They Work?
Compression socks are long socks made of stretchy spandex material. They come in all sorts of colors and designs.
Athletes are the most frequent users of compression socks, though they aren’t the only users. Compression socks speed up the time it takes to recover from workouts by increasing blood flow to limit fatigue and stiffness.
When you train, you put strain on your tendons, resulting in microscopic tears. Blood flow is necessary to heal these tendons, which is where compression socks can assist.
They also come in a variety of pressure levels, depending on your medical needs and comfortability.
Benefit #1: Blood Clot Prevention
A significant health benefit of compression socks is their ability to protect people from blood clotting. Because the socks encourage and increase the blood flow throughout your body, it reduces the opportunity for blood to pool or clot.
According to the CDC, 900,000 Americans are affected by blood clots each year. A little over 11% of those people die as a result.
Blood clots are considered preventable, and compression socks are a convenient solution to reduce your risk.
If you’re prone to blot clots, talk to your doctor about using compression socks as a viable option to limit this risk.
Benefit #2: Pain Relief For Leg Ulcers
Leg ulcers are painful and long-lasting sores that usually develop on the inside of the legs. They are very uncomfortable and can sometimes take weeks to heal.
Compression socks are a proven cure in managing the pain as well for preventing future leg ulcers. Compression socks can reduce the occurrence of leg ulcers by about half for those who frequently experience them.
Even better, compression socks are considered one of the cheapest ways to manage the pain and frequency of leg ulcers—especially when compared to surgery or other invasive medical procedures.
Benefit #3: Reduction of Varicose Veins Appearance
A health and beauty-related benefit of compression socks is their ability to reduce the appearance of varicose veins. Varicose veins are large, blue-looking veins that often show up on the legs.
They can lead to uncomfortable swelling, and some people are self-conscious about their appearance.
By promoting faster blood flow, compression socks can reduce the intensity and appearance of varicose veins. It’s recommended that you wear them during the day and remove the socks at night.
Benefit #4: Improved Muscle Recovery
One of the most well-known benefits of compression socks is to assist athletes in speedy muscle recovery. The more blood flow circulating through your body, the faster your body can recover from a tough workout.
But you don’t need to be a professional athlete to see these results. Even if you don’t work out or you’re a weekend warrior, you can benefit from enhanced muscle recovery.
For pregnant women, compression socks can also help reduce everyday aches, especially in the latter stages of pregnancy.
Benefit #5: Reduction of Orthostatic Hypertension
Orthostatic hypertension causes light-headedness when you stand up too suddenly after sitting down. Some individuals are more prone to it than others.
When you stand up, gravity pulls your blood downwards, which affects your blood pressure levels. Your heart tries to adapt to this change by pumping out more blood, while the blood vessels in your legs constrict.
When this occurs, you feel dizzy and light-headed. Though not common, it can result in fainting. About 20% of older adults experience this regularly.
Compression socks improve the blood circulation in your legs, reducing these side effects significantly.
Benefit #6: Improved Stamina
Another athletic benefit that compression socks can provide is improved exercise stamina. If you’re training for a big race or athletic event, consider using compression socks regularly to promote more oxygen to your limbs.
The increased levels of oxygen will limit the amount of lactate your body uses to recover. Lactate is a source of energy for your body. By reducing the amount of lactate your body uses, you will increase your stamina and ability to recover.
If stamina is a concern, consider wearing the compression socks as you work out to improve oxygen levels during and after exercise.
Benefit #7: Reversing Venous Hypertension
Venous hypertension occurs when there is high pressure in the veins, sometimes due to venous insufficiency. It can be pretty painful because it results in swelling, tenderness, occasional leg ulcers, and skin changes.
Regular use of compression socks can alleviate these symptoms and even reverse venous hypertension. Since compression socks cause the muscles to squeeze and contract, it pushes blood in the right direction. This improves venomous insufficiency and ensures regular blood flow.
Be sure to check out this article by Halo Healthcare for other reasons to wear compression socks!
Ready to Get Some Compression Socks?
So, what are compression socks used for? Now you know!
Though often associated with athletes, compression socks provide more benefits than muscle recovery. They can be used to treat a variety of health ailments, especially those associated with blood flow circulation.
Plus, compression socks are an inexpensive and convenient way to reduce pain and improve performance. Don’t wait any longer; go get your pair today!
And since we know compressions socks aren’t your only interest, be sure to check out the other awesome articles on this page! We cover topics on all things related to health and fitness.
