Types of Compression Stockings

Because compression stockings can help with so many different things, there is a massive amount of different types of compression stockings available. This can make shopping for compression garments difficult, however here at Compression Stockings we want to make things easier for you. Here are some of the different types of compression stockings:

Flight Socks

These are compression stockings designed to help reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein) on long haul flights. Passengers on long haul flights are widely considered to be at a higher risk of developing DVT in the air because the long periods of inactivity reduce blood flow. 

By increasing your circulation, flight socks help to prevent blood clots from forming and are even recommended by the NHS for people who are at risk of DVT who need to fly long haul.

Sports Compression Socks

These are compression socks designed to help with sports performance. Because compression socks increase circulation, sports compression socks have been developed to utilise this to help improve performance. 

The benefits of sports compression socks are twofold. When worn during exercise, it is believed that the increased circulation they cause helps to move lactic acid around muscles in your legs more freely, so you can run harder and for longer. 

Secondly, some studies have shown that when worn during post workout recovery they can help reduce delayed onset muscle soreness, so that that your time after a big run or a hard workout isn’t as unpleasant.

Lymphoedema Compression Stockings

Some compression stockings are specifically made to help combat lymphoedema, a condition which causes the body’s tissues to swell. It’s a common complication of women who have undergone breast cancer treatment and is believed to affect over 200,000 people in the UK. 

Because the swelling is caused by a fluid build-up, wearing compression stockings helps to encourage the muscles to move fluid out of the affected limb and minimise any further build-up. In fact, wearing compression stockings forms a part of decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT), one of the most common forms of treatment for lymphoedema.

Venous Disease Compression Stockings

These make up the majority of compression stockings. Because compression stockings help boost circulation, it’s obvious that their main application would be to help with conditions involving blood flow. These conditions include the previously-mentioned DVT and varicose veins, which are swollen and enlarged veins. 

Varicose veins usually happen on the leg, and can look lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. They happen because the valves in the affected veins stop working and the blood stops flowing correctly. Compression stockings gradually squeeze the leg to boost circulation, helping to move the blood out of the affected veins. 

However, compression stockings should only be used to treat varicose veins if all other options are unsuitable and your doctor has recommended them.

If you’re interested in getting your hands on some compression garments, head on over to Compression Stockings and check out the full range of compression garments we have on offer.