Compression socks come in a variety of lengths, ranging from knee to thigh to actual tights. They apply pressure to your legs to improve circulation and reduce swelling. This pressure also stops blood from pooling in your feet. All the benefits have additional benefits. For example, improved circulation alone has a number of benefits and is hugely important as it affects every part of your body, by bringing the oxygen needed to them.

Here are the healthy benefits of compression socks:

1. Prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
Having DVT or deep vein thrombosis is common, luckily compression socks can help. DVT is when blood clots deep in your veins, the veins that aren’t near the surface of your skin. It can cause horrible leg pain and swelling of the foot and ankle. By wearing compression socks you can reduce your risk, particularly after a surgery. Not just DVT but any blood clotting problem can be helped by wearing compression socks.

2. Dealing with orthostatic intolerance
Orthostatic intolerance symptoms include severe dizziness upon standing. This is because the circulation to the brain isn’t working efficiently, and you aren’t getting enough oxygen to your brain. Everyone gets dizzy from time to time upon standing quickly, but orthostatic intolerance is a severe form of this. By using compression socks with this health problem you can be safer standing up, with less risk of passing out.

3. Increased blood flow for athletes
Compression socks aren’t only for those with health problems. Athletes find that wearing compression socks and arm bands increase overall blood flow, something very important when you are working your body and need the oxygen to flow at its optimum capacity. Good circulation and good blood flow are vital to athletes.

4. Compression socks for varicose veins
This common chronic problem is affecting more and more people every year. Varicose veins can be prevented and treated with compression socks. These socks not only help the blood get back to your heart but can also help with your veins. Varicose veins can be painful, but compression socks can ease this pain. By helping the vein valves to function properly compression socks are great for varicose veins. Putting on compression socks in the morning is the best way to use them. You’ll want to put them on before lowering your legs from the bed to get the most efficient use of them.

5. Long flights
Pilots and frequent fliers are often encouraged to wear compression socks. But even if you aren’t a frequent flier, any time you go on an airplane the blood can rush to your feet because of the lower pressure conditions. This can create swelling and other related problems. It is wise to wear compression socks if you find yourself on a plane.