In this Together Step by step…A quick guide to how compression hosiery actually works

Step by step…A quick guide to how compression hosiery actually works

There’s no denying the fact that the phrase ‘compression hosiery’ is becoming more and more familiar. We see it in the big stores, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer to name two, who are all keen to meet the growing demand for compression stockings, tights and socks. We see it in magazines, who are filling their healthcare pages with the health benefits of compression, and their lifestyle pages with the fashionable good looks of a new generation of compression hosiery. We have even heard Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine imploring fellow DJ Chris Evans to start wearing compression hosiery as a way of improving his varicose veins – live on air! leg healthThe truth is, while many are waking up to the benefits of compression hosiery, very few people know exactly how it works. So here we go… here’s our quick and easy guide to the science behind compression stockings, tights and socks. In the simplest terms, compression hosiery ‘squeezes’ your ankles and legs – even your hips bottom and tummy – in ways that improve your blood circulation. This helps you with a variety both medical and non-medical conditions in your feet, ankles and legs. Compression hosiery is harder to put on than normal hosiery, but once it is on, you’ll notice the extra pressure – and it’s here that the health benefits lie. The gentle ‘squeezing’ improves how your blood circulates through your veins. This in turn has a major effect on the painful symptoms caused by poor blood flow. Conditions that can be helped by compression hosiery include tired, achy legs – especially caused by standing or sitting for long periods – varicose veins, spider veins, minor leg ulcers, early stage DVT (deep vein thrombosis), early stage lymphoedema and swollen ankles during pregnancy. Compression hosiery is actually graduated. This means the compression is different in different parts of your leg. It is tightest at the ankle and gradually gets looser as it goes up the leg. This helps circulate your blood and effectively forces your blood away from the problem area and up towards your heart. The highest compression is in your foot or ankle, where it forces blood away from your ankle. Then, above your ankle, medium compression kicks in to push your blood further up your leg. The lowest compression occurs further up your leg where it drives your blood up  towards your heart. It’s like a big leg-shaped pump, improving your blood circulation to increase oxygen in your blood stream and avoiding pooling or build-up of blood in your feet, ankles and legs. Depending on the health condition or type of discomfort, there are different levels of compression you can choose. These compression levels are measured by mmHg or millimetres of mercury. Compression hosiery is genuinely helpful in treating the symptoms of all kinds of conditions. You can find a wide range of fashionable compression hosiery products – which are not available on the high street – at staging.daylong.co.uk. Why not give compression hosiery a try?