The general public used to have a negative opinion on wearing compression socks and support hosiery out in public, expressing concerns that the design looked too institutional and resembled something only used in hospitals.

In addition, compression garments for many years had the stigma of being used or worn by the elderly due to lower extremity problems, but now that's in the past...

Compression socks are garments made of elastic fibers like Lycra, spandex, cotton and other microfiber materials. There are two types of compression sock namely uniform and graduated.

1. Uniform compression socks offer equal amounts of compression throughout all parts of the leggings.
   
   
2. While graduated compression socks offer tighter compression at the ankles and gradually decreases compression as it goes up the calf.

Compression socks provide many different functions to its users. Here's why you should try them.

• It prevents venous stasis by squeezing the legs to compress the veins, and keeps blood moving in the right direction.
  
  
• It makes the legs look slimmer and increases blood circulation. 
  
  
• It helps decrease venous pressure on the lower extremities andaids in the reduction of lactic acid build-up.
  
  
• It helps in relieving pain and that heavy feeling in the legs, and it helps recover the legs faster from a long and rigid work.

To experience the tremendous benefits of our Compression Healing Technology, browse our Compression Gear here.

If you have vein disease and are experiencing symptoms, you should wear compression garments every day, all day, except of course when taking a bath. There is no need to use compression socks when sleeping or just lying flat on a bed because of the neutral position or equal elevation to the lower extremities.

Before You Buy Compression Gear

Compression socks can come in different levels of compression or pressure, which are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and generally range from 8 to 40 mmHg. Many compression socks and sleeves differ in size and fit because each person is different in shape, whether your curvy, straight, muscular, or stocky Doc Miller Compression provides a plethora of sizes to choose from. 

It is important to take an accurate measurement before ordering your compression socks because wearing the correct size will maximize your comfort and benefits. Most importantly compression socks are an investment in your health.

The suggested time to wear compression socks is during the first hour in the morning before going to work or before any swelling occurs and removing it in the evening before going to bed. You should wear your compression socks every day to have an effective compression therapy.

Compression socks are recommended to be replaced every 4 months, if used heavily, because the constant stretching of the socks causes the elastic fibers to eventually lose its strength, losing the overall benefits of a proper compression fit. It is also crucial to take proper care of your socks when washing the delicate fibers. 

Here are some tips on maintaining your compression socks. Hand wash new compression socks right after receiving them. Washing can make the compression socks a bit more flexible, therefore easier to put on.

If possible, consider buying a second pair as a backup while washing the other pair to always have a clean pair of compression socks ready. If a person has an open wound it is best to completely treat the injury before putting on the compression socks.

Best Practices For First-time Users

It can be tricky putting on compression socks for first time users, but with some practice, you can find a way that works best for you. When putting on compression socks, follow these steps:

1. Sit on a chair that has some kind of back support to lean against. Reverse the sock inside out.
   
   
2. Put your hand through the top opening of the compression sock and grab the inside of the toes and pull so that it’s inside out, except for the toes, leaving a starting point for your toes.
   
   
3. Insert your toes into the sock and gradually slide it over your heel.
   
   
4. Then use the fingertips to slowly slide the socks all the way up the legs.

If you still have difficulty putting on your compression socks, you might want to try a few things beforehand to make wearing compression socks easier.

If a person is accustomed to putting cream or lotion on the legs, be sure to let it dry out first before slipping on the socks. To help glide the socks easier you could try using baby powder or talcum powder. A sock donner may be helpful as it holds the sock in place for you to make inserting your foot easier.

There are a few things to remember while wearing compression socks.

• The foot of the compression sock should be placed in the intended position around the foot.
  
  
• Your compression socks should be form-fitting, meaning that there is always contact between the skin and sock.
  
  
• When removing compression socks, slowly slide the top portion down to the ankles first to avoid damaging or overstretching the garment.

Compression socks aren’t just for grandma and grandpa anymore with the new fabric designs that are revolutionizing the compression market. Advances in the manufacturing process have made it possible to fabricate a multitude of weavings to fit or make trends.

Traveling, where a person is confined to a small area for a lengthy period of time, like when flying overseas, has become such a pain that compression socks are not optional anymore. There are now a variety of compression socks fit for every occasion like work, sports, and even just casual hangouts.

Visit Doc Miller Compression Collections and find a trendy and fashionable compression garment suitable for you.

Disclaimer: This article should not be construed as medical advice. Please contact a licensed physician for a proper diagnosis of your specific case.