What Are Compression Socks & What Are They Used For?

What is a compression sock? This special sock, which is otherwise known as a support sock, is a type of hosiery product that is used to implement additional support to the lower legs and feet while also bolstering circulatory function. At times, these can be confused with non-compression socks for those who have diabetes. They are even falsely believed to be normal dress socks. This confusion is due to their similar looks, but beyond that, there are no other parallels to be found. The primary function behind wearing this special hosiery is in the ability to apply gentle amounts of pressure to the skin. While normal ones do offer similar benefits to the wearer, they do not provide such a concentrated amount of pressure as compression stockings do. Regular socks are not considered to be therapeutic like these are.

On a typical day, an individual's blood supply pumps through the cardiovascular system as well as it can. However, gravity may cause a person's blood supply to settle in their lower legs and feet. There can be cramps in the legs and feet because of this, as well as an abnormal sense of fatigue. This poor circulation of blood could also result in adverse effects such as phlebitis, edema and thrombosis to occur in an individual's body. By elevating the legs and feet at certain points throughout the day, the pain and discomfort that comes with this circulation condition can be temporarily reduced. The condition will only subside for several hours before returning, however, and should be dealt with in a more direct way.

This is when the use of compression socks becomes more important. They incorporate more durable materials like spandex and nylon blends to produce greater amounts of pressure on the affected area. This pressure alleviates the condition by forcing the blood to flow through smaller channels in the vessels, muscles and arteries. Through this arterial pressure, more blood is returned to the heart so that less of it remains in the legs and feet. In order to ensure better shock absorption, some compression socks are made with more padding in them.

People with good health enjoy wearing compression socks, too. There are some who wear them on airplanes to prevent issues with circulation while at high elevations. Even professional athletes are known to wear these socks to aid them in their intensive physical activities. No matter what a person's reasons for wearing these socks may be, they are a practical asset to anyone's overall health. People with sore, swollen and tired legs could use a pair of compression socks.

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