Healthy blood flow supports your organs and repairs muscle damage throughout the body. However, some people have conditions or lifestyles that cause lower circulation, and many of them use compression socks. While you should speak to a doctor if you’re experiencing specific symptoms, like sharp pain or swelling, you can easily get relief by buying compression socks at your local medical supply store. Here’s more information about how these accessories support healthier blood flow.

What Compression Socks Are

The socks apply light pressure to the feet, ankles, and legs, forcing blood to flow toward the heart. They can be made from various materials, like nylon and rubber, and the fibers are knit tightly together to provide elasticity while fitting tightly around the foot and leg.

What They’re Used For

Some athletes wear compression socks or sleeves to reduce muscle pain. Since they improve circulation to those tissues, the increased oxygen supply helps muscle tears heal quickly. The socks will also increase blood flow to the heart, which will boost cardiovascular stamina and potentially improve athletic performance.

Compression socks are also used by patients after surgery or people taking long flights, as inactivity can sometimes cause harmful blood clots. Blood is more likely to clot in veins when people are sedentary, and it can break off and make its way into the lungs. This will cause a pulmonary embolism that will make it challenging to breathe.

How They Should Fit

Compression socks should feel tight, not painful, and they shouldn’t cause numbness or throbbing. Their sizing is comparable to traditional socks, and the pressure is measured using millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Any sock up to 20 mmHg applies mild or moderate pressure and can be purchased without a prescription from a medical supply store. Compression socks above the 20 mmHg level can be prescribed by a doctor for people with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a condition that causes frequent blood clots.

If you think you need compression socks, visit us at Dauterman Healthcare and Mobility in Honolulu, HI. Our medical supply store carries a wide variety of products to support your everyday life, including knee braces, insoles, and compression socks. To get more information about our inventory, visit our website or call (808) 591-8860.