Use and Misuse of Compression Socks

It is important to note that even in instances where compression socks do not necessarily deliver any significant health benefits, they can nonetheless improve comfort for those wearing them. In any instance where the previously mentioned accumulation of blood or circulatory issues could prove problematic, those affected may simply feel lethargic, achy and de-motivated – even if the issue doesn’t necessarily pose a direct threat to their health. In such instances, the appropriate use of compression socks can make a big difference in terms of simple comfort alone. As such, many people make the decision to buy compression socks every day, without having been advised to do so by a medical professional. Likewise, runners and many other athletes often buy and wear compression socks, as a means by which to both prevent injury and improve their overall athletic performance. But while logic would seem to dictate that compression therapy may indeed be beneficial in an athletic setting, there’s actually very little evidence to suggest this is the case. But in all cases where compression socks can prove beneficial in terms of health, performance or simple everyday comfort, evidence seems to suggest that a worrying proportion of people are not wearing them properly. For example, one study published recently in the American Journal of Nursing found that among a sample group of patients instructed to wear compression garments following surgery, 29% were not wearing them correctly and 26% were using garments of the wrong size. The trouble is that when compression garments are misused, not only are they more likely to prove ineffective, but they can actually make the problem worse than it already is. Worse still, they can trigger new problems all of their own. From incorrect sizes to wrinkling/bunching to using garments with inappropriate pressure ratings, to use compression socks incorrectly is often more dangerous than not using them at all.