Relieve Leg Pain & Improve Circulation: Your Guide to Compression Socks

A type of compression therapy, compression socks help increase blood flow to the legs, offering relief from swelling and pain. Commonly worn by frequent fliers, runners, and diabetics, compression socks help maintain and treat different injuries or conditions to improve comfort during everyday activities.

If you’re new to wearing compression socks, this guide can help you understand their benefits, who needs them, and how PowerStep® compression socks provide comfortable, all-day relief from foot and leg pain.

What are compression socks?

Compression socks feel tighter than normal socks, particularly around the ankles, and become looser higher up the leg. They should feel snug, but not so tight they cause pain. Available in varying lengths like compression stockings to compression sleeves for runners, they gently squeeze the leg to support weak veins and increase blood flow.

Compression socks are measured by units of graduated pressure, or mmHg, which helps determine their use. For example:

• 8 to 15 mmHg are the lightest everyday compression socks for running and daily wear.
• 15 to 20 mmHg are the most common graduated compression socks for leg pain and muscle recovery.
• 20 to 30 mmHg compression socks provide relief for people who stand all day and from certain medical conditions.
• 30+ mmHg include medical grade compression socks that typically require a prescription.

How do compression socks work?

Compression socks work by applying gentle pressure that stimulates blood flow and supports weak or damaged veins. The blood traveling from your legs and feet back up to your heart is fighting a battle with gravity, so compression socks make it easier for that blood to flow.

Poor circulation, often exacerbated by conditions like varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), can cause blood to pool in the legs and feet leading to discomfort, foot and leg swelling, and even blood clots. Compression socks for varicose veins, edema, and more use pressure to improve blood flow to the heart, reduce swelling, and relieve pain.

Compression Socks: Uses & Benefits

Many people can benefit from having better circulation in their legs whether they are pregnant, have leg swelling from flying, or have recurring ankle pain from a past injury. With how simple and beneficial they are, compression socks can be used for almost any situation.

Manage Medical Conditions

Many medical conditions can cause swelling and discomfort in the legs and feet, especially for those with circulation problems. For those at risk of developing leg ulcers or clotting disorders like deep vein thrombosis, compression socks limit swelling and reduce the chance of clotting.

Additionally, compression socks for neuropathy and diabetes improve blood flow to reduce pain and numbness and help prevent infections. If you’re suffering from foot pain, PowerStep compression socks for plantar fasciitis promote circulation for faster healing and provide additional heel and arch support.

Improved Performance for Runners

Have you ever seen runners wearing bright, colorful knee-high socks? This isn't just a fashion statement. Rather, wearing running compression socks or sleeves can help improve performance and recovery when training for a marathon or race.

During long runs, PowerStep’s performance sleeves can provide comfort, relieve shin splints or muscle cramps, and reduce lactic acid build-up in the legs. After training, PowerStep G2 Recovery Socks help circulate the blood, reduce soreness, and help runners recover faster.

Reduce Swelling After Flying

Sitting for extended periods of time without moving your legs and feet can cause blood to pool, weakening your leg and foot health and posing a risk for clots. For pilots, flight attendants, and anyone who flies frequently, compression socks for flying provide stimulation and circulation, counteracting the effects of prolonged sitting during flights.

Relieve Pain from Standing All Day

Just like sitting, standing for long periods of time can also cause blood to pool in your legs and feet. Nurses, retail workers, warehouse employees, and other professionals who spend a long time on their feet often deal with leg swelling, fatigue, and foot pain.

Wearing compression socks for foot fatigue and tired legs helps improve blood flow, to relieve swelling and discomfort. In addition to wearing socks, you can relieve tired, achy feet with the cushion and support of PowerStep bridge® insoles for standing all day.

Post-Injury Healing & Support

Some surgical procedures may require you to be off your feet for long periods of time. During recovery, doctors typically recommend medical-grade compression socks or stockings to keep blood flow in the legs going and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Compression socks also provide support and stability for past injuries. The PowerStep Dynamic Ankle Support Sock for weak or injured ankles has a compression sock base that helps reduce swelling, align the ankle, and stabilize the heel to prevent reinjury.

How to Choose the Right Compression Sock Size

Because compression socks are meant to be snug, it can be difficult to know whether you have the right size. Wearing the right size is crucial to their effectiveness and comfort, especially since compression socks that are too small can restrict blood flow and cause pain.

While sizing may vary by brand, you can use the PowerStep G2 Recovery compression socks size chart below to help you find the perfect fit:

FAQs about Compression Socks

Have more questions about how to wear compression socks? Check out the following commonly asked questions about proper wear and care, safety concerns, and choosing the right compression level for your needs.

Are compression socks safe?

Compression socks are safe to wear for most people. However, you should not wear compression socks if you have a condition that reduces blood flow to your legs. If you are unsure, consider talking to your doctor first.

What are the side effects of compression socks?

Although compression socks are safe, side effects can occur if the socks are too small, or you are allergic to the fabric. You might also experience skin irritation, marks, itching, redness, and discomfort if you are not wearing them properly.

How do I put on compression socks?

Because of their tightness, compression socks can be a little harder to put on than normal socks. First, make sure you have the right size by using the compression sock size chart provided. Then, use the following steps:

1. Reach inside the sock with your arm and grab the heel from the inside.
2. While holding onto the heel, pull the sock off your arm, turning it inside out until you hit the foot portion.
3. Slip the sock over your foot and heel. You may have to stretch the sides of the sock.
4. Work the rest of the sock up over your foot and calf until the sock is completely right side out.

Which compression socks do I need?

For medical conditions or concerns, talk to your doctor first. They might recommend a prescription or a specific brand like PowerStep. Choosing the right compression socks depends on your individual needs and activity level.

The best compression socks for running provide targeted support to the calf and foot, enhancing performance and recovery. PowerStep compression socks offer mild to moderate compression for daily comfort and support, reducing fatigue from prolonged sitting or standing.

Can you sleep in compression socks?

Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not wear compression socks to bed. Sleeping in compression socks is not very effective as gravity doesn’t affect the blood flow in your legs when lying down. You should take your compression socks off at night to give your legs the rest they need.

How long should you wear compression socks?

Depending on the type of sock, reason for wearing, and personal preference, you can wear most over-the-counter compression socks all day especially if you work on your feet. If you're an athlete, however, you might only wear them for a few hours after training.

If this is your first time wearing compression socks, it is normal for them to feel a little uncomfortable. It takes time to get used to the compression. Instead, consider breaking them in for a couple of hours a day much like new shoes.

How do you wash compression socks?

You can wash compression socks in cold water by hand or in a washing machine on a gentle cycle. Use mild detergent only, avoid bleach or fabric softener, and air dry only. You should never put compression socks in the drier. The heat will damage the materials and ruin their compression.

Find Relief with PowerStep Compression Socks

Compression socks help promote better circulation in the legs, making them beneficial for many people. Whether you're a runner, traveler, or someone seeking relief from everyday foot and leg fatigue, PowerStep compression socks and sleeves help improve circulation and reduce pain.

PowerStep does not diagnose or treat any medical condition. PowerStep compression socks are over-the-counter compression garments designed to help improve blood circulation in the legs and relieve symptoms of pain, swelling, and discomfort.