Key takeaways:
Compression socks can improve blood flow and relieve swelling in people with various medical conditions.
Some people get a prescription for compression socks, but you can buy them over the counter, too.
When worn correctly, the likelihood of side effects or complications from compression socks is minimal.
01:08
Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP
You may have seen compression socks, even if you’ve never worn them. You might have spotted someone wearing them on a flight or seen an athlete wearing them during a game.
Compression socks or stockings gently squeeze your legs and ankles. These special socks are designed to promote blood flow. But how exactly do compression socks work, and who should wear them?
What do compression socks do?
Compression stockings apply pressure to your legs and ankles. In other words, these snug-fitting socks squeeze your legs. And this increases blood flow and helps move blood up your legs and back to your heart. This helps prevent blood from pooling in your leg veins, which can cause damage and clotting.
People use compression socks for different reasons. But the general goal is similar — to make it easier for blood to circulate in the body. Even if you don’t have a medical condition that affects your veins, your blood has to work against gravity. When you’re sitting or standing, gravity creates resistance, so it can be harder for blood to move back up toward your heart. And that's where compression socks come into play.
What are compression socks used for?
Sitting or standing for long periods of time can slow circulation and cause swelling or edema in your legs or ankles. That’s why you might see people on long flights wearing compression socks.
Depending on the type of sock used, compression therapy can help with several conditions. You may get a prescription for compression socks to:
Improve circulation in your legs.
Reduce occupational leg swelling.
Heal or prevent leg ulcers and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.
Promote lymphatic drainage for people with lymphedema.
Stop blood from clotting or pooling in your leg veins.
Relieve symptoms caused by varicose veins.
Lower the risk of deep vein thrombosis or the symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome.
Improve hypertrophic and keloid scarring.
Relieve leg pain and swelling in pregnancy.
Some people wear nonmedical compression socks while exercising or playing sports to enhance performance and recovery. But the research on this is very mixed. And the effects may be at least partially due to a placebo effect.
Are there different types of compression socks?
Yes, compression socks vary in type, size, material, and degree of pressure. That’s because people use them for a range of reasons and conditions.
Compression socks are usually made of synthetic materials, such as lycra, nylon, or spandex. While they typically fall below the knee, they can also go up to the thigh. There are also arm and full-body compression garments.
There are three main types of compression socks:
Nonmedical support hosiery: You can buy these garments –– including flight socks and elastic support socks –– over the counter (OTC). They give uniform compression throughout the garment and aren’t as tight as medical compression stockings.
Antiembolism stockings: These stockings are designed to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that forms in a deep vein) in people who aren’t physically active. They put the greatest pressure at the ankle, gradually declining toward the top of the sock (gradient pressure).
Medical or graduated compression stockings: These medical-grade socks provide a specific level of compression. Like antiembolism stockings, they provide gradient pressure.
How long should you wear compression socks?
If you have a prescription, your graduated compression stockings will be professionally fitted. And your care team can explain how long you should wear them. The specific time you wear them will depend on why you need them in the first place.
Many reports suggest that you can wear compression socks all day to treat or prevent venous problems except while bathing or sleeping.
It’s important to note that this information may not apply to everyone. So it's a good idea to talk with your healthcare professional even if you don’t have a prescription. That way, you can get guidance on compression garments and how to use them based on your medical history and health needs.
Should you sleep in compression stockings?
Whether you need to wear compression socks when you sleep depends on your medical condition(s) and the type you’re using. But, in general, the need for compression goes down when you lie down to sleep. Your legs aren’t working against gravity when you’re lying down. That’s why leg swelling is often lower when you first get out of bed.
If you do wear compression socks when you sleep, make sure to check your skin for signs of irritation like redness or dryness. But compression socks can be hard to take on and off. So it’s totally OK to take a nap in them.
How tight should compression socks be?
To do their job, compression socks need to fit snuggly. But how tight is too tight?
The fit of your compression socks depends on the type of sock and what you’re using it for. If you’ve ever bought OTC compression socks, you may have noticed “mm Hg” on the tag. That stands for millimeters of mercury, which measures the level of pressure.
There’s some debate about how much pressure is needed to treat certain conditions. But research offers some general guidelines:
Low pressure (under 20 mmHg): varicose veins in pregnancy, occupational leg edema, and blood clots after surgery
Medium pressure (20 mmHg to 30 mmHg): acute blood clots
High pressure (30 mmHg to 40 mmHg): after sclerotherapy, venous leg ulcers, ulcer recurrence prevention, and lymphedema
How much pressure you feel may vary based on the sock material, your leg shape, and activity level. In general, compression socks should be snug but not so tight that they hurt. If you’re not sure how tight your compression socks should be, ask your primary care professional to help check the fit.
Can everyone wear compression socks?
Compression socks are generally safe. But they’re not the right treatment option for everyone. If you have certain medical conditions, it’s best to check with your primary care professional before using compression therapy. Some of these conditions include:
Peripheral artery disease
Massive edema due to heart failure
Neuropathy or other sensory impairment
Severe skin disorders or infections like cellulitis
Are there any downsides to wearing compression socks?
As with any treatment option, there are some potential risks of wearing compression socks. Compression socks can cause:
Discomfort: At higher pressures, compression socks can feel really tight and uncomfortable.
Skin irritation or damage: Signs of irritation may include tingling, itching, redness, or bruising.
Poor circulation: Compression socks that don’t fit properly can cause decreased blood flow.
In rare cases, compression socks that are too tight may cause superficial venous thrombosis. These superficial blood clots occur in veins close to the skin’s surface and are less likely to cause complications. Compression socks haven’t been shown to cause deep vein thrombosis, which are more serious blood clots.
Severe complications from compression garments are rare and typically occur only in people who shouldn’t wear compression socks or who wear them incorrectly.
The bottom line
Nonmedical compression socks (support hosiery) have grown in popularity. These OTC garments provide light pressure to improve circulation in your legs. Medical and antiembolism stockings need a prescription. They apply greater pressure to treat or prevent conditions like deep vein thrombosis and leg ulcers.
There’s no one-size-fits-all compression sock. So it’s helpful to talk with your primary care professional before using compression therapy.
References
Ali, M., et al. (2005). Superficial thrombophlebitis in varicose veins caused by inflight stockings. EJVES Extra.
Cedars Sinai. (n.d.). Post-thrombotic syndrome.
View All References (15)
expand_more
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Lymphedema.
Clarke, M. J., et al. (2016). Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Health Quality Ontario. (2019). Compression stockings for the prevention of venous leg ulcer recurrence: A health technology assessment. Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series.
Healthwise. (2022). Compression stockings: How to use them. University of Michigan Health.
Jones, R. H., et al. (2008). Management of varicose veins. American Family Physician.
Lim, C. S., et al. (2014). Graduated compression stockings. Canadian Medical Association Journal.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Compression stockings.
Partsch, H. (2012). Compression therapy: Clinical and experimental evidence. Annals of Vascular Diseases.
Rabe, E., et al. (2020). Risks and contraindications of medical compression treatment – A critical reappraisal. An international consensus statement. Phlebology.
Robertson, B. F., et al. (2014). Side effects of compression stockings: A case report. British Journal of General Practice.
Sachdeva, A., et al. (2010). Elastic compression stockings for prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Singh, A., et al. (2023). Chronic venous insufficiency. StatPearls.
UCSF Health. (n.d). Sclerotherapy.
Weakley, J., et al. (2021). Putting the squeeze on compression garments: Current evidence and recommendations for future research: A systematic scoping review. Sports Medicine.
Xiong, Y., et al. (2018). Compression garments for medical therapy and sports. Polymers.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
Was this page helpful?
Get the facts on Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension).
Sign up for our newsletter to get expert tips on condition management and prescription savings.
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
