Written by: Mallory Lor, C.Ped

What is Compression Wear?

Compression wear is used to help improve blood flow in the veins of your legs. Compression gives your legs a “hug”, so your veins don’t have to work as hard. The best compression wear has graduated compression, which means it’s built to the natural shape of your leg with the firmest compression at the ankle that reduces as it goes up your leg. All of Dr. Comfort’s® compression wear is designed as graduated compression with top quality materials and a large variety of fashionable designs.

Who Should Wear Compression?

Most people can benefit from compression wear. Here are some common reasons why people may use compression:

• Sitting or standing for long periods of time
• During pregnancy and postpartum
• To help reduce swelling
• While traveling on an airplane
• To help with achy, tired feeling legs
• To prevent DVT and embolisms

If you have any serious medical conditions concerning arterial disease, please consult your physician before using compression.

How Do I Know Which Type to Buy?

Compression wear can come in different materials, compression levels, sizing and heights which can often make the purchase process confusing and overwhelming.

Compression Levels: The biggest question people have about compression wear is how to know which level of compression they should buy. The amount of pressure compression wear provides is measured in mmHg. Here’s a simple guide to help you determine which level is best for you:

Compression Sizing: The best compression wear comes sized to your body measurements, not your shoe size. You will need a soft measuring tape or a piece of string that can be measured with a ruler. Dr. Comfort® also sells compression wear tape measures.

• Ankle measurement: Measure the narrowest part of the ankle, above the ankle bone
• Calf measurement: Measure the widest part of the calf
• Thigh measurement (for thigh high and pantyhose): Measure the widest part of the thigh

Tips: Measure early in the day when swelling will be at its lowest. If your measurements fall within two different size ranges, go with the larger size.

Compression Heights: Should I get knee high, thigh high or pantyhose? This is usually a personal preference. Some may want knee high for everyday use and pantyhose for dressier occasions. Others may want the compression to go higher than just the knee and prefer to wear thigh highs or pantyhose as their everyday option.

• Knee High: Most popular among all ages, available in many materials, patterns and colors
• Thigh High: Most styles come with silicone grippers at the top to keep these in place
• Pantyhose: Look just like nylons or tights but with all the benefits of compression

Where Can I Buy Compression Wear?

Dr. Comfort® sells compression wear through drcomfort.com and offers free shipping. Much of Dr. Comfort’s® compression wear is made at our company owned manufacturing facility in North Carolina, USA.

Click here to look at what Dr. Comfort® has to offer.

The contents of this blog were independently prepared and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.