Which Compression Level is Right for You (2024)

Compression stockings are medical grade devices designed to move blood flow.

Support compression stockings are made available in multiple compression support levels. Most commonly compression support stockings come in mild (8-15 mmHg), Medium (15-20 mmHg), Firm (20-30 mmHg), X-Firm (30-40 mmHg) gradient compression levels.

Compression Therapy Guide

Which Compression Level is Right for You (1)
  • Provides relief and minimizes tired and achy legs.
  • Prevents fatigued legs from long periods of sitting or standing.
  • Helps relieve minor swelling of feet, ankles, and legs.
  • During pregnancy, helps prevent the formation of varicose and spider veins.
  • Helps maintain healthy, energized legs.

Shop Now 8-15mmHg Mild Light Support Compression Socks and Stockings

First Time Wearing Compression Stockings?

We recommend you start with 15-20mmHg

Which Compression Level is Right for You (2)
  • For the prevention and relief of minor to moderate varicose and spider veins.
  • Helps relieve tired, aching legs, and minor swelling of feet, ankles, and legs.
  • During pregnancy, helps prevent varicose veins and spider veins.
  • Helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.
  • Used in post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose veins and spider veins.
  • Ideal compression level used for those traveling long distances.

Shop Now 15-20mmHg Medium Support Compression Socks and Stockings

  • Helps prevent and relieve moderate to severe varicose veins (also during pregnancy).
  • For post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose and spider veins.
  • Helps in treatment of moderate to severe edema or lymphatic edema.
  • Helps with the management of active ulcers and manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).
  • Helps relieve superficial thrombophlebitis.
  • Helps prevent orthostatic hypotension (sudden fall in blood pressure when standing).
  • Helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.

Shop Now 20-30mmHg Firm Support Compression Socks and Stockings

Which Compression Level is Right for You (4)
  • Helps prevent and relieve severe varicose veins.
  • Used in the treatment of severe edema and lymphedema.
  • Used in post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose and spider veins.
  • Helps reduce symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension and Postural Hypotension
  • For the management of Venous Ulcers and manifestations of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).
  • Prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.

Shop Now 30-40mmHg Extra Firm Support Compression Socks and Stockings

Which Compression Level is Right for You (5)

40-50 mmHg Gradient Compression Stockings are generally indicated for more Serious Venous Diseases such as Acute Leg/Ankle Swelling, Varicose Veins, Chronic Vein Insufficiency and Deep Vein Thrombosis.

The benefits of Compression Therapy are plentiful and the reasons vary from person to person why you may choose to wear compression socks or stockings. As shown in the above chart, some of the most prevalent symptoms or conditions that benefit from compression therapy are:

  • Pregnancy related swelling and vein problems
  • Varicose or spider veins
  • Lymphedema or edema
  • Swelling, pain or blood clots in the lower legs, also known as DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
  • Poor circulation from sitting for long periods
  • Post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment

It can even be used as a preventive measure to maintain healthy legs for someone who spends extensive amounts of time on their feet. Quite simply, when we stand still for long periods, the forces of gravity increase the pressure within the veins of the legs where the greater effects happen at the ankle and decreases gradually up the leg and body. This pressure depends on the vertical distance of the column of blood from the heart to the foot. That's why gradient compression stockings are designed with the pressure greatest at the ankle and diminishing as it moves up the leg in order to counter the effects of the higher venous pressures.

Compression therapy products are put on in the morning upon arising, which is typically before any significant swelling would occur, and then removed at night. Throughout the day the compression prevents blood from pooling in leg veins, which in turn helps your overall circulation and lessens or eliminates any leg swelling you may have.

When shopping for compression socks or stockings, it is best to measure earlier in the day before swelling builds in the legs. Measurements taken later in the day after swelling occurs may cause you to choose an item that is too large and then not effective.

There are many types of compression socks and stockings available without a prescription and they do offer wide-ranging benefits. Before wearing a compression therapy of 20 mmHg (Firm Compression) and above, it is generally recommended to consult your health care provider to find out if graduated compression stockings are right for you. If the answer is yes, they can tell you what pressure grade you should buy for maximum benefit and relief.

Shop Now 40-50mmHg Prescription Support Compression Socks and Stockings. Doctor's Prescription

Which Compression Level is Right for You (2024)

FAQs

Which compression level is right for you? ›

A good rule of thumb to follow is: 15-20 mmHg: Great for daily wear, travel, and sports. They help improve circulation without being too tight. 20-30 mmHg: Great for sports recovery, daily wear, medical recovery, and to manage mild symptoms of varicose and spider veins.

How do I know which compression socks are right for me? ›

Before you pick a stocking, measure the length and girth of your ankle, calves, and leg if you're opting for thigh-high or waist-high leggings. For prescription-grade compression wear, trained staff at a medical supply store will most likely take your measurements and find you the right fit.

What does 20/30 mmHg mean in compression stockings? ›

Millimeters of mercury is a measurement of pressure, which is also used in locating one's Blood Pressure. 10-20mmHg= Good for people who stand a lot during work or have swelling or there good to wear during airplane flights. 20-30mmHg= Moderate swelling & this amount really helps with varicose veins from forming.

What is the difference between 8 15 mmHg and 15-20 mmHg compression socks? ›

The higher the mmHg, the more pressure the socks will provide to you. The levels go from mild compression to more intense styles with a chart that works like this: Mild or Everyday: 8-15 mmHg. Medium or Sport: 15-20 mmHg.

Do you need a prescription for 20/30 mmHg compression socks? ›

Medical Grade 20 mmHg to 30 mmHg and 30 mmHg to 40 mmHg

Compression stockings of 20 mmHg or higher need to be prescribed by a physician. They are used for the treatment of various medical conditions, and should be used under the supervision of a doctor. The prescription for them needs to be renewed on an annual basis.

What is the compression level? ›

What are compression levels? Compression levels, the amount of pressure applied to your extremities, are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The larger the number, the higher the compression. The different compression levels serve different purposes.

What is the best compression setting? ›

For most musical uses, an initial attack setting of between 1 and 20 mS is typical. However, when treating sound such as vocals, a fast attack time generally gives the best results, because it brings the level under control very quickly, producing a more natural sound.

Is there a downside to wearing compression socks? ›

While a lifesaver for many people, choosing compression stockings that don't fit properly, wearing or caring for them incorrectly can cause issues such as poor circulation, itchiness, skin irritations, redness, breaks in the skin, and necrosis of the skin.

How do you know if compression socks are tight enough? ›

They should not be too tight as to feel uncomfortable after a while, but not so loose that they feel like any other pair of socks.

What to do if compression socks are too long? ›

Knee highs and trouser socks should go all the way up your calf and stop just below the bend in your knee. If your knee highs or trouser socks are too long, please do not fold them over! This could possibly create reverse compression and it negates all the healthful benefits that compression provides.

What is the lowest number for compression socks? ›

Support compression stockings are made available in multiple compression support levels. Most commonly compression support stockings come in mild (8-15 mmHg), Medium (15-20 mmHg), Firm (20-30 mmHg), X-Firm (30-40 mmHg) gradient compression levels.

What brand of compression socks is best? ›

Our picks include a snug-yet-soft merino/bamboo blend from Sockwell; a rugged budget option, Go2Socks; a stretchy cotton-nylon blend from Comrad that boasts appealing modern styling; warm, cozy socks from Wellow that also come in wide calf sizes; ultra-comfy socks from Dr. Segal's that are notably easy to pull on and ...

Are support socks the same as compression socks? ›

Support stockings should not be confused with compression stockings. They are suitable only for those with healthy veins - as a preventive measure against heavy, tired legs after standing or sitting for a long period of time and also against travel thrombosis.

How many hours a day should you wear compression stockings? ›

Taking care of your compression socks

You can wear your compression socks all day by putting them on when getting dressed in the morning, and take them off before bed (unless your doctor advises otherwise).

Where does the fluid go when wearing compression stockings? ›

The leg can be so edematous (swollen) that once the sock is on, it will squeeze fluid out of the tissue to above the sock. When the circumference of the leg covered by the sock is reduced, the squeeze becomes less and the remaining fluid in the leg remains.

Should I wear compression socks while sitting? ›

Besides venous insufficiency, Dr. Botek says that another common reason for wearing compression socks is to aid in blood flow when you're sitting for long periods of time, like on a long flight.

What compression size should I get? ›

Step 1: Measure the circumference of the ankle at the narrowest part of the ankle, just above the ankle bone (Point A). Step 2: Measure the circumference of the calf at the widest part of the calf (Point B). Step 4: Use the 15-20 mmHg or the 20-30 mmHg sizing chart to determine your size.

How tight is 20/30 mmHg? ›

15 to 20 mmHg is moderate compression. This is the compression level used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during long segments of air travel. 20 to 30 mmHg is firm compression.

What is the best compression level for standing all day? ›

8-15 mmHg (mild)

Compression socks in the 8-15 mmHg range can help prevent your legs from getting fatigued during long periods of sitting and/or standing, and they also help reduce the tired, aching feeling you often get from a day spent on your feet.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6052

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.