Compression socks have become a staple of athletes looking to minimize swelling after a long, hard workout. But the benefits of this technology extend well beyond the sports world. In fact, as COVID-19 continues to keep much of the country working from home, compression socks are a great way to fight the effects of sitting all day. So, should you be wearing them for your desk job? Let’s take a closer look!
How Compression Socks Work
Sitting for long periods of time can slow your blood circulation. Gravity causes blood to flow to your feet rather than back up toward your heart and fatty acids build up in your blood vessels. The result is uncomfortable swelling and tired legs.
Compression socks were actually created as a medical garment to address these issues. As the name suggests, the fabric provides gentle pressure to the legs and ankles. It’s this pressure that helps arteries relax and blood flow more freely. This, in turn, promotes proper circulation back up to the heart, reducing painful swelling. That’s why compression socks are often knee-high in length — to help as much of the leg as possible through graduated compression that fights the effects of gravity. All this extra circulation prevents achy and tired legs at the end of the day.
Compression is measured in units called mmHg (millimeters of mercury). There are varying degrees of compression ranging from low to medical grade compression. Feetures Knee High Compression are fully graduated, meaning they start out with a greater amount of compression at the ankle and gradually get looser up the calf. This strategic knit helps promote bloodflow and circulation, making it a great option for desk workers and athletes alike.
Top Benefits of Compression Socks for Your Work From Home Lifestyle
In addition to preventing swelling and poor circulation, compression socks can help reverse other effects of a sedentary desk job. Here are three you need to know about:
- Spider and varicose veins: Blood pooling is a common problem if you’re confined to a desk all day, but it can do more than cause uncomfortable and tired legs. When the veins cannot get the blood flowing back up to the heart, the valves leak and put pressure on the vein walls. This can create painful varicose and spider veins. Compression socks provide the needed assistance to correct the blood flow and relieve symptoms of varicose and spider veins. In fact, doctors often prescribe wearing compression socks throughout the day to ease pain and keep the issue from getting worse.
- Dizziness upon standing: If you have ever felt light headed upon standing up from your desk, the culprit is likely circulation issues. Severe cases, called orthostatic hypotension, can lead to fainting (and possible injury from falling) and even stroke. There are several ways to manage or prevent dizziness, including drinking more water, increasing salt intake and moving slowly to a standing position. Compression socks are another oft-recommended solution. By preventing fluid from pooling in the legs, they can minimize the effects of orthostatic hypotension.
- Preserve workout gains: Even if you’re regularly hitting the gym, a sedentary job can negate many of your workout’s benefits by wreaking havoc on your circulation and heart. Rather than lose out, compression socks keep your blood flowing and reduce inflammation. They also help prevent injury and decrease leg fatigue so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle no matter what your job requires.
Give Your Legs the Squeeze They Need
Even if you’re able to take walking breaks throughout the day or use a standing desk, your legs are bound to get tired. Feetures can help you give them some extra love with specialized compression socks that relieve painful symptoms so you can maximize your time behind and away from your desk. Our lifetime guarantee makes it easy to try a pair for yourself risk-free! Whether you’re logging miles on the trail or logging hours in your home office, Feetures’ compression socks can provide your legs with a world of benefits.
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