Compression Socks

Compression socks are specially designed to give extra support and increased blood and lymph fluid circulation in the foot and leg.  A compression sock is constructed of elastic fibers or rubber that exerts pressure on the foot, calf, and leg in order to help force the fluids out of the lower extremities and back to the core.  The compression factor is graduated with more compression in the foot and lesser compression as you go up the leg.  This help to force the fluids up the leg.

During the day the heart pumps blood to all the parts of the body as best as it can.  Gravity works on the fluids in the legs and tends to cause them to pool unless the normal muscle actions helps to pump it out.

If the blood is not removed from the legs and returned to the heart for repumping circulatory problems can result such as adema, phlebitis, and thrombosis.  These can result in serious pain and damage in the limbs.

This pooling of fluids can also have other effects such as leg fatigue and leg cramps.  Elevating the feet and legs during the day can help to alleviate the condition temporarily but it often returns after only a few hours of walking or standing.

Compression socks are very beneficial for the removal of this pooling blood and lymph fluid.  These socks use strong elastics like lycra, rubber, or spandex to compress the foot, ankles, and feet.  By compressing the veins, arteries, and muscles, the blood is forced through the smaller blood vessels.  This increase pressure and causes more blood to return to the heart and not collect in the lower extremeties.

Compression socks have the most compressive pressure at the feet and ankles and gradually they become less constrictive at the calves and knees.  The soles of compression socks also may be padded to give better shock absorption protection.