Referring to compression socks as an all-rounder for helping in recovery isn’t wrong at all. Whether it’s an endurance sports athlete or someone who is recovering from a leg injury, these socks prove to be a savior for everyone. While medicines (over-the-counter pain relievers) and therapies like physiotherapy effectively alleviate pain levels, the role of these elasticated socks’ can never be overshadowed. You might be like, OK! But how do these socks help someone recover faster from their leg injury or help them replenish their lost store of energy? Fret not! In this blog, we’re going to cover in detail the role of compression socks. We will see how they are essential for faster recovery.
1. Improves Blood Flow In Your Legs
Being based on a working action that applies a graduated pressure to the legs, mens knee high compression socks help blood flow continuously throughout the legs and reach back to the heart. The pressure is such that it’s the strongest near the ankle and goes on decreasing as it moves up the leg. This action is what helps an individual recover faster from the injury or leg strain caused by overexertion of a muscle during exercise or a workout. Because of this advantage, many athletes prefer using them while going about their sport, whether it’s for wearing them during the activity itself or after they’re done with their pursuits.
2. Fastens Lactate Clearance
A study conducted on athletes has proven that wearing compression socks during exercise and the recovery phase has positive effects on the body’s recovery ability. What it does is it works on the lactate profile, enhancing the body's lactate removal ability, which further aids the individual in recovering faster from injury and normal wear and tear due to an arduous workout. Lactate, commonly referred to as lactic acid, is a byproduct of muscle exertion. This chemical is produced by muscles during exercise to form energy in case of oxygen shortage. Compression socks facilitate faster removal of this very chemical, due to which a faster recovery is possible.
3. Reduces Muscle Fatigue
Those engaged in sustained physical activities are bound to face the issues of muscle fatigue. With constant pressure applied, body muscles fail to generate the required amount of force as they normally would, due to which an individual might feel weak and face consequences like muscle aches, soreness, or even muscle spasms. While icing and taking rest are the general treatment options suggested, compression socks are the real deal. By improving blood circulation in the legs, efficiently removing waste products like lactates from the muscles, and minimizing soreness, these socks help individuals recover faster. Moreover, these elasticated socks have anti-inflammatory properties as well, which again helps with muscle recovery.
4. Part Of RICE Protocol
RICE Protocol is a first aid treatment for injuries that includes measures like rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Many times, compression socks are also used as a part of this very protocol when the goal is to recover fast from acute injuries like a sprain or strain. By reducing swelling, enhancing the bloodstream, and preventing cramping and discomfort, these socks help an individual fasten recovery. Athletes involved in endurance sports like running, cycling, or long-distance swimming are especially benefitted by using these socks, as they are more likely to face issues of sprain or strain.
5. Betters Lymphatic Drainage
The squeezing mechanism of these socks helps push excess fluid from leg tissues toward the lymph nodes. This in turn facilitates a much quicker and better removal of waste from the injured or inflamed tissues, which ultimately helps to promote faster recovery, especially after a surgical treatment or a laborious activity. You can think of these socks as a pump, operating continuously to move the lymph fluid along the lymphatic vessels. All of it aids the body’s natural healing process and promotes faster tissue repair and improved blood flow.
6. Reduces Discomfort And Pain
The graduated pressure applied to the legs helps the blood flow more continuously throughout the legs, which allows better delivery of oxygen to the leg muscles, supporting a faster healing and recovery time. But that’s not all about how these socks reduce discomfort and alleviate pain levels, as they are great at preventing fluid buildup, reducing swelling, and reducing muscle soreness and fatigue as well. All-in-all, aiding active individuals in faster muscle recovery.
7. Prevents Blood Pooling & Blood Clotting
Blood pooling & blood clotting are two common ailments that one might get while recovering from a surgical procedure. Usually, this happens due to the person’s inability to move or carry on with his normal activities of daily living. The gentle squeezing action of these socks improves blood flow in the legs, which prevents blood from pooling in the lower extremities of the body. Blood pooling is what leads to blood clots. By being tighter around the ankles and gradually loosening up as they go up the leg, these socks increase blood flow in the legs and reduce the risk of blood pooling as well as blood clotting.
8. Decreases Swelling
Those having less mobility or reduced movements are bound to face the issue of swelling. It’s most common in those who have either gone through surgery or are recovering from an injury. Wearing compression socks allows a free and optimum flow of blood throughout the legs and helps it reach back to the heart more conveniently. This action then prevents blood from being pooled in the lower parts of the body and supports a reduction of inflammation and swelling as well. The whole process then aids in supporting the healing process.
Closing Thoughts
These medical compression socks have a firm squeezing action on the legs that allows the blood to flow imperatively and reach the heart. This very blood carries oxygen, having energy and nutrients that are required for faster recovery. The compression given by these socks allows smooth removal of lactate, which again facilitates a faster recovery. If you’re looking to get compression socks, our brand SNUG360 should be your first choice. We have an extensive range of socks that are made using high-grade spandex and nylon, making them ideal for both men and women. They can help you recover much faster than any other knee high compression socks. Moreover, you need not put in any extra effort for their maintenance too.