Compression socks are specialized hosiery designed to support, guard and prevent the occurrence of venous conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), phlebitis, and edema. They are elastic garments that are worn just like socks to support the lower leg, hence compressing the area. Compression socks are designed to apply pressure to the lower legs, thus helping maintain blood flow and reducing swelling and discomfort.

There are several benefits to wearing compression socks, such as:

1. Prevents blood from pooling
Generally, every human being has blood circulating through the entire body. As the blood circulates, tiny valves help prevent the backflow of blood to the legs or rather refluxing, towards the legs or the other body parts. If valves are faulty or become damaged, blood flows back to the legs, which is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). This blood pooling often results in cramps, ulcers, and swelling over time. Generally, compression socks are beneficial because they help prevent the flow of blood back into the feet and the legs where blood may pool.

2. Reduces swelling
The buildup of fluid in the legs may cause a lot of pain and result in fatigue and mobility issues. In addition, pressure due to swelling may cause bursting blood vessels, and possible infections and ulcers. Notably, compression socks are beneficial because they prevent the buildup of fluid in the legs, and they can also ease discomfort from swelling.

3. Reduces blood clot risk
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when clots of the blood form deep within veins, mostly in the legs. DVT is known to lead to severe complications, such as pulmonary embolism (PE) if a blood clot travels back to the lungs and blocks an artery. Therefore, compression socks are beneficial since they help prevent the formation of clots.

4. Improves blood flow
The circulatory system pumps blood from the heart to the other parts of the body via the veins. After the blood reaches all the body parts, it travels back to the heart as the muscles contract. In patients with vein disorders, this articular process can be disrupted, leading to poor circulation. Therefore, compression socks are known to mimic the compression of muscles to help pump blood from the lower body back to the heart, resulting in an improvement of blood flow throughout the entire body.

5. Improves varicose veins
Varicose veins should not be regarded as simply a cosmetic concern. Varicose veins may cause symptoms such as throbbing pain, a heavy feeling in legs, bleeding from veins, and itchiness around the veins. The use of compression socks supports blood pumping via the valves through the veins, allowing the blood to flow without difficulty and reducing these symptoms.