Put it on me, doc.
A dermatologist has revealed why everyone, not just the elderly, should wear compression socks.
“Not enough people use compression socks and when they do, they put them on the wrong way,” says Dr. Scott Walter, based in Denver, Colorado, in a recent TikTok video. “Before you scroll down, no, I’m not talking about elderly people with swollen feet, you and everyone else can benefit from compression socks.”
The doctor, who has over a million followers and goes by the name @denverskindoc, goes on to explain the myriad benefits one can enjoy from feeling the pressure.
Compression socks, which are essentially tight knee-length socks, are notorious for being unflattering. But recently, they have experienced a resurgence in popularity. Several companies now offer options in bright colors and patterns, which have quickly replaced the drab orthopedic versions typically favored by doctors.
Walter explained that these socks are ideal whether you are an office worker who sits all day, or a cashier or nurse who is always on your feet.
“It’s pretty simple, compression improves circulation,” says Walter. “So if you want to prevent varicose veins, especially if you’re standing or sitting all day, wearing compression socks can be essential.”
But socks do more than prevent unsightly varicose veins. They can actually help prevent a life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.
“You want to prevent DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, which is blood clots in your legs, which can travel to the lungs and cause many problems,” reveals Walter.
DVTs can occur when you don’t move around much, such as on a long trip with a map or on a long-haul flight. Once a clot forms, the most serious risk is that it will break loose and travel to your lungs, a blockage called pulmonary embolism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the embolism is small enough, it can be treated. But large embolisms can prevent blood from reaching the lungs and be fatal.
This is why compression socks can be a great idea when you have to sit for long periods of time.
But the benefits don’t stop there, says the sure-footed doctor.
“If you have a leg injury that takes forever to heal, compression socks can actually increase the speed of healing,” he notes.
As you age, the healing process generally slows down, but improving circulation can reduce the time it takes for a wound to heal.
And although socks are notorious for being difficult to put on and take off due to their tight fit, Walter has a trick for that too.
“If you’ve ever tried to put them on like a normal sock, you know it’s almost impossible,” the doctor explains before showing you the correct way to put them on.
Start by pinching the heel, he says, like a sock puppet.
“Next step, you’re going to reverse the sock while keeping that pinch there and that’s going to create an opening and that’s where you’re going to hurt your foot,” he demonstrates. “So you push your foot in like that and all you do is take the rest of the sock at the end and pull it down and up.”
In addition to improving circulation, decreasing swelling, and helping you heal faster, a small number of studies have also shown that compression socks can improve athletic performance when worn during a workout. ‘training.
New York Post
