Compression Socks And Why We Are Supposed To Wear Them For Long Trips And Work Outs

Thanksgiving is coming the goose is getting fat — or is it just our calves? Well it turns out if your legs are swelling when you sit for long periods of time on flights and car trips you need compression socks to relieve the swelling and aches and pains.  You can also wear them for work outs, long runs, walks and bike rides etc if your legs are exhausted and achey. 

Women’s Power Stride Tab Sock 5 Pack

You don’t have to be over 50 to wear them.  Bombas makes great compression socks. My 30 year old son gave me a few pairs for the holidays because he and his wife wear them for travel and swear by them.

What Causes Legs to Swell During Travel?

According to the Pro Compression — “When you travel, your legs may swell. And this happens because of two major reasons. The first happens when you sit for prolonged periods of time, which is often the case when you are trying to get from one destination to the next.

As you sit on the airplane, or in the car or on a train, the seated position of your lower limbs and inactivity causes blood to pool within the veins that go up and down the legs and feet. 

Sitting also increases pressure on the veins and inactivity discourages the movement of fluids and optimal circulation throughout the body.

Another reason why your legs may swell during travel is due to the overuse of them as you may do an extra amount of walking than normal. Your lower limbs, specifically your feet, bear your entire body’s weight and after a long period of time, this can cause your feet to swell and the muscles in your legs to get tired.

Swelling and soreness is the body’s way of telling you that it is in need of more oxygen and nutrients to refuel and feel refreshed. This is where the best compression socks for travel save the day!

If you suffer from leg swelling our over-the-calf sock forms will provide the most advanced relief, but mid-calf and lows are made with the same premium compression construction for those looking for less sock with the same benefits!”

What exactly to compression socks do? A main benefit of compression socks and sleeves is that they wrap around the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet, ankles, calves and arms, and are made of a blend of fabric materials such as nylon and polyester. This serves the purpose of improving overall circulation and blood flow to your limbs and body.

They achieve this by providing pressure at specific compression levels to the intended areas they fit around. Compression socks are a special stocking for the feet, often reaching all the way to just below the knee (often referred to as “knee-high socks or stockings”), but they can come in other heights as well. Compression sleeves use the same type of compression technology as the socks but only wrap around a specific limb like a calf or forearm.

Compression levels are measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury), and correlate to blood pressure levels. Typical compression levels can range from 10 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg, with 30 mm Hg bringing a higher level of intensity….. you can read more about this on the ProCompression web site.

Pro Compression Also Makes Great Socks

Also Check out these Bombas Compression Socks That My Son Bought Me:

No Surprise Lulu Makes a Great Compression Sock Too:

Here’s a Quick Video About How Compression Work

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