Graduated compression socks squeeze the legs and improve blood circulation which can reduce the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), including tired, aching legs, varicose or spider veins and leg ulcers. A German study involving 3000 people aged between 18 and 79 years old found that 31% of the population have these vein issues. You can go for years without seeing the symptoms, and for this reason, prevention is always the best option. Compression stockings have shown to reduce recurrence of leg ulcers and they are also a non-pharmaceutical option for tired, heavy legs. As we get older our veins and valves age and slacken and it more difficult for the body to pump blood back towards the heart.
This is where compression socks come in, they provide greater pressure at the ankle and less pressure going up the leg which means they help encourage blood to return upwards, against gravity. Weight reduction, not smoking, exercise, leg elevation all reduce the risk of CVI.
Allan Tidbury, Compression Therapy Specialist from Gardamed, explains how the over 50s could benefit from wearing compression.
