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Compression socks are specially made socks that fit tighter than normal so they put a specific level of pressure on your legs. Graduated compression socks are tightest around your ankle, and the pressure eases as the socks go up your leg. This forces the blood to move upward where there is more space, helping push blood back up towards the heart. Wearing them helps improve your blood flow and prevents congestion and fluid buildup, which minimizes pain and swelling in your legs.

By increasing circulation and blood flow to your legs and reducing congestion and fluid buildup, wearing compression socks helps to:

• Decrease swelling in your legs, feet and ankles
• Prevent blood from pooling in your veins
• Prevent varicose veins
• Prevent blood clots
• Improve lymphatic drainage
• Reduce pain, inflammation and discomfort
• Better flow of oxygen-rich blood to your muscles
• Feel less tired and more energized

Doctors prescribe them to patients that have chronic venous insufficiency or are at risk for deep vein thrombosis, but compression socks can be beneficial for many common situations:

• Standing or sitting all day - The lack of movement and the effect of gravity lead to the pooling of blood in your legs. Compression socks improve blood and oxygen flow and reduce fatigue, pain, heaviness and swelling.
• Travelling - Trips that involve sitting for a long time (by plane, train or car) lead to stagnant blood flow, which besides swelling also increases the risk of blood clots. Compression socks reduce this risk and will make you feel more energized when you arrive at your destination.  
• Sports - Wearing compression socks while exercising improves circulation and delivery of oxygen-rich blood to your muscles, prevents lactic acid buildup and also protects muscles, ligaments and tendons. This means improved performance and faster post-workout recovery. 
• Pregnancy - Pregnant women have a normal increase of blood volume and fluid which makes them prone to swelling in the legs, ankles and feet. Wearing compression socks reduces the risk of severe swelling, especially if you put them on in the morning as a preventative measure.

Compression socks are safe for most people to wear, however they are not recommend in patients who suffer from peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy and/or heart failure. When in doubt, always consult your doctor before using compression socks.

Compression socks and stockings come in different lengths (knee-high, thigh-high or waist-length) and pressures (mmHg). You’ll generally find two main types - graduated and anti-embolism stockings:

• Graduated compression socks are the most common. They are tighter around your ankles and get looser the higher they go up your leg. Non-medical grade socks have lower grades of compression and their pressure is within a certain range, you can acquire them over-the-counter or online. Medical grade stockings have to be prescribed by a doctor and you can only get them at pharmacies, where your measures will be taken to create the specific level of pressure and gradient your doctor recommended.  
• Anti-embolism stockings are more specific in purpose. They are specifically designed to help maintain your circulation, thus preventing blood clots, when you need to stay confined to a bed for a prolonged period of time, for example after surgery.

Regarding pressure, there are 4 grades of compression. Grades 1 (10-20mmHg) and 2 (20-30mmHg) are ideal for people who want to prevent swelling, heaviness and varicose veins or who already have small spider veins. Grades 3 (30-40mmHg) and 4 (>40mmHg) are recommended for patients with chronic venous and/or lymphatic insufficiency, who already have varicose veins or lymphedema, and should be prescribed by a doctor.