We carry a complete line of medial compression socks and have multiple locations near you. Click here to see our convenient locations. We have also included some valuable information below about medical compression socks to answer any questions that you may have. Thanks you for visiting and please let us know if you have any other questions.
Strong blood circulation is critical to good health, and the lower part of our legs and feet play an essential role in keeping blood flowing throughout the body.
Healthy blood circulation is essential to movement, digestion, breathing, healing, and clarity of thought.
Sometimes, the body needs help keeping the blood flowing and preventing it from pooling in the lower extremities. One of the simplest ways to do that is to swap out your regular socks for a pair of compression socks.
If you have noticed any of the following symptoms, then you may have poor circulation that could benefit from compression socks:
- Numbness
- Tingling sensations
- Stinging pain in extremities
- Fatigue
- Cramping
If you have searched for “medical compression socks near me,” then the rest of this article will tell you everything you need to know about what they are and how they work, when you might need them, and where and how to get the best compression socks.
What are Compression Socks?
Through a complex interplay of blood vessels, valves, and muscle movement, your lower legs are responsible for pushing blood from your lower extremities back towards your heart.
Compression socks are constructed from materials that can apply gentle pressure on your lower legs to assist with the transportation of blood. They are available in two main forms: uniform and graduated compression socks.
Uniform compression socks create the same level of compression over the entire length of the sock. In contrast, graduated compression socks put more pressure towards the bottom, decreasing as you get closer to the knee.
How Do Compression Socks Work?
The compression effect from the sock effectively shrinks the diameter of your vein walls. Like any pipe, a smaller diameter increases the pressure, and like a high-pressure nozzle on a garden hose, the blood flow back towards your heart is improved.
What Are the Best Medical Compression Socks?
Should you choose graduated or uniform compression socks? The clear winners are graduated compression socks, as they assist the most with transferring blood from the lower extremities.
The higher pressure towards your ankles boosts the circulation, and the gentle squeeze provided by the upper areas of the compression sock helps keep it moving.
Who Should Use Compression Socks?
Many people from all walks of life can benefit from compression socks, not just those using them to treat a medical condition.
Long-Distance Travelers
Sitting on a plane at high altitudes reduces the amount of atmospheric pressure on your body and can cause blood to pool in your legs and feet while you are inactive for long periods.
Wearing a good quality pair of compression socks will reduce or prevent the swelling (edema) that can occur from extended periods of sitting stationary on long flights.
When You are Sitting or Standing all Day
There are plenty of jobs that require workers to sit or stand for most of the day.
It’s customary for people worried about how inactive they are at work to alternate sitting and standing with a bit of walking in between, but this isn’t always possible.
When you cannot include enough physical movement throughout the day, compression socks can take up some of the slack and prevent the blood from pooling due to inactivity.
Athletes
Compression applied to the legs and feet improves blood flow and helps remove the lactic acid buildup produced by vigorous activity. Improved blood flow also assists with the distribution of oxygen around the body.
Medical Conditions Treated with Compression Socks
Compression socks are often used as part of a treatment for pre-existing medical conditions.
Doctors will prescribe compressions socks to their patients so they can find some relief from the symptoms of:
- Swelling (edema)
- Shin splints
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Lymphedema
- Varicose and spider veins
Recovering From Surgery
Hip, leg, or knee surgery often requires weeks of recovery time. The patients are typically bed or couch-bound and spend a great deal of time inactive. In some cases, the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is high. Wearing compression socks during recovery from surgery can dramatically reduce the risk of complications.
Relief From Edema During Pregnancy
Pregnancy often brings with it uncomfortable swelling in the lower extremities. When swelling occurs, it can also increase the chance of varicose veins and blood clots forming.
Edema usually subsides after birth, but compression socks have been shown to provide some relief from painful swelling and reduce the risk of blood clots and varicose veins when worn during pregnancy and for around 6-weeks after birth.
What Strength Compression Socks Do I Need?
Compression socks are generally safe, but they do need to be used correctly. Lower levels of compression are available over the counter. However, you should seek the advice of your doctor when considering higher levels of compression.
Graduated compression sock pressure is measured in mmHg. It is listed as a range, such as 15-25mmHg, with the lower value representing the pressure closest to the knee and the higher number representing the ankle area’s pressure. Uniform compression socks do not come with a stated mmHg level.
Trained and certified fitters will take your measurements to ensure you receive a suitable level of compression while also taking your shoe size into account.
If your doctor or physical therapist cannot supply you with compression socks, a quick search like “compression socks near me” should bring up a suitable list of suppliers near you.
How Long to Wear Compression Socks?
There is no definitive answer for how long you should wear compression socks. When using compression socks as part of a doctor’s treatment, you should wear them for however long your doctor recommends.
If you are healthy and are using compression socks to improve your comfort levels at work, then you can safely wear compression socks all day, especially if you sit or stand for long periods. Compression socks aren’t recommended for wearing to bed unless prescribed by a medical professional.
Compression socks are created from elastic, which does lose strength with repeated use, and breaks down during washing. It’s for this reason you should renew your compression socks every six months or so.
Finding Compression Socks Near Me
Caring Touch Medical Inc has five locations to make finding compression socks a lot easier for you. You will find a Caring Touch Medical outlet in the following locations:
- Annapolis
- Lutherville-Timonium
- Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
- Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, Salisbury
- St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson
Each center is staffed by highly-trained professionals who will ensure your compression socks are the perfect fit and just right for your needs.
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