Compression Socks for Nurses and Athletes

Not Your Grandma’s Compression Socks

Compression socks used to have a bad reputation for being unattractive or, at the very least, uncool. They were known as a medical aid used for controlling swelling, varicose veins, and other conditions associated with getting older and being on your feet all day. Thankfully, those days are gone! Compression socks now come in a variety of colors and playful patterns and are a staple in the wardrobe of many healthcare professionals, especially nurses, and athletes young and old.

Why Compression Socks?

Many healthcare professionals are on their feet all day long and many have experienced swelling in their legs as a result. The path your blood takes from your heart, through your limbs, and back to your heart is made more difficult with prolonged standing. Compression socks can increase the volume and speed of blood flow as well as provide the structure needed to prevent space for blood and lymph fluids to pool in. The specialized socks used to be recommended for people experiencing these symptoms but now compression socks are also seen as a preventative measure, to be worn from the beginning of a person’s career.

For athletes, the benefits are more anecdotal. While there isn’t much quantitative evidence out there that compression socks can improve performance, many athletes claim they have felt results. They say that compression socks help them run faster, feel less tired, or help them beat their personal records. Besides compression socks, athletes can also choose from an array of compression pants, leg sleeves, arm sleeves, and wraps. 

No More Tan Stockings

Nurses and athletes alike are able to choose from a growing variety of colors and patterns. If you look around at any race you’re likely to see many people wearing bright, neon compression socks and sleeves. Medical professionals also have a huge variety of colors and patterns to choose from. Like scrubs, which come in patterns that are more fun and uplifting for certain populations of patients, compression socks can also be purchased with smiling bears, tie-dye, stripes, flowers, and almost any pattern you can think of.

Anyone On Their Feet

Of course, you don’t have to be a nurse of a runner to wear compression socks. If you are on your feet all day and wondering if these socks are right for you, you can try a pair of compression socks for around $30 from a number of sellers online. They can be made of synthetic fibers or natural fibers such as Merino wool. If you’re a store cashier and need to keep in uniform, you don’t need to get the neon colors or wacky patterns either. Most sellers also have a variety of neutral colors. If you had told me when I was a kid that when I grew up  compression socks would be cool, I wouldn’t have believed you. But times are strange, and compression socks...they’re all the rage.

Sources:
Why Nurses Should Wear Compression Socks. (n.d.). Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://sockwellusa.com/blogs/blog/nurses-compression-socks?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg92i3O276gIVhRx9Ch2EeAI-EAAYAiAAEgL8H_D_BwE
Frothingham, S. (2019, August 07). Compression Socks and Stockings: Benefits, Types & Side Effects. Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/compression-socks-benefits
Compression Socks: Benefits & Purpose of Compression Stockings. (2019, July 23). Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://www.roadrunnersports.com/blog/compression-socks-benefits/
Comrad. (n.d.). Merino Wool Compression Socks. Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://www.comradsocks.com/collections/merino-wool-compression-socks
Compression Socks. (n.d.). Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://crazycompression.com/