PhysioDC

Physical Therapy

  • Home
  • About
    • Physical Therapists
      • Daniel Baumstark
      • Christopher Cousins
      • Kira Davis
      • Christina Eidi
      • Molly Horan
      • Bradley Rosenblum
      • Jahan Shiekhy
    • Treatment Philosophy
    • Patient Reviews
    • Resources
  • Services
    • Physical Therapy
    • Hand Therapy
    • Running Analysis
    • Functional Dry Needling
    • Concussion Management
    • Dance Rehabilitation
    • Custom Orthotics
    • Personal Training
  • Products
  • Media
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Gallery
    • Exercise Videos
  • Forms
  • Billing
    • Insurance
    • Payments
  • Blog
    • Select Your Body Part
  • Directions
  • Contact

Compression Socks for Everyday Use and Travel

Last updated on February 13, 2020 By Kira Davis MPT 1 Comment


In the past, compression socks or stockings were only seen in the hospital setting or amongst the older population with lymphatic or circulatory problems. They have been known to be white or beige ugly stockings that usually end just below or above the knee. However, due to the practical everyday use of these garments, compression socks and stockings have become quite fashionable in recent years.

Compression socks are great for people who sit or stand stagnantly on their feet for large amounts of their day, such as cashiers, security post officers, and the everyday office worker.

Most people are not fortunate enough to be able to move regularly during the day the way that I do. This means that they are building up fluid in the lower portion of their legs and are inefficiently able to maintain healthy circulation. This is why people will often have some foot/ankle swelling and aches by the end of their workday despite sitting most of the day. Depending on your own personal circulatory efficiency, this does not mean that wearing these compression garments will completely rid you of swelling and pain, but it will likely improve your symptoms.

I was inspired to share this information with the masses while being bored on a 3 hour layover at JFK airport waiting to return to the Washington, DC area after a trip to the countryside of Jamaica. Because I am not used to sitting still for long periods of time, my body is happy to let me know this by giving me some swelling and achiness in my feet and calves. I made the decision, prior to this trip, to purchase some compression socks, and I was so happy to see that I had cute and fun options from which to choose.

One portion of my flight travel was about 4 hours long, which for most people would be fine, but for me that is a long time sitting down. Compression socks should definitely be used for anybody whose flight travel is 6 hours or greater. I probably would have been fine being on an airplane for 4 hours, but I knew that I also had about a 3 hour drive up and down a mountain in a cramped van to look forward to, prior to reaching my final destination.

I was grateful for these compression socks, or I may have spent the rest of that first day trying to recover from mild discomfort and trying to resume normal ankle size by having my feet elevated. Due to the graduated compression of the garments, they are quite comfortable and feel like a hug on my lower legs. I am happy that wearing the compression socks doesn’t make me look 30 years older, although if my only option was wearing the old ugly white or beige stockings that you find at the hospital, I’d still wear them and I would suggest that you do too. Compression socks are just one thing that can be done to make the arduous task of traveling more manageable.

Some other orthopaedic tips include the following:

  • trying to get up to walk to the restroom a few times depending on the length of your flight
  • performing ankle circles and toe taps, neck stretches, shoulder blade pinches, lower abdominal contractions or gluteal squeezes
  • using a neck pillow to support neck posture during naps
  • using a rolled-up blanket or sweater behind the lower back to support the natural curvature of the low back

Always remember that your friendly therapists at PhysioDC are happy to help you if, after travel, you notice achiness or symptoms that don’t seem to resolve on their own.

Filed Under: Exercise & Fitness Tagged With: Ankle & Foot



Additional Articles

surfing the ocean wave
Pride and Exercise
head arms neutral floor in resting position
Can You Do This Simple Exercise?
The Healthcare Plight of the Working Dancer

Right Side Dominant?
home fitness workouts via computer
Physical Therapist Reviews YouTube HITT Routines
Anti Inflammatory Diet 1
Benefits of the Anti-Inflammatory Diet

About Kira Davis MPT

Kira Davis has been practicing as a licensed physical therapist (license #PT870656) in the outpatient orthopedic setting since 2006 in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. She received her Masters of Physical therapy in 2005 from Howard University and her Bachelor of Science with a concentration in the Pre-Physical Therapy program in 2003 from Howard University. She has experience addressing many types of sports injuries and is herself an avid soccer player. Trained in classical dance since the age of 3 and an active dance student, she strives to be one of the area's elite physical therapists for the dance community.

FTC Compliance Disclaimer: PhysioDC.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.

physical therapist recommended products

Discussion

  1. Jen says

    November 28, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    Anyone want to write a blog about comfortable and supportive, yet not too frumpy women’s brand shoes to wear in an office setting? :-D It’s surprisingly tricky to find such shoes.

    Reply

Ask a Physical Therapist a Question Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Disclaimer: By clicking on the I Agree button below, the individual posting a question fully understands that any response to the question is merely the opinion of the physical therapist and should not be taken as a prescribed course of action. Any advice given by the therapist must be cleared with the treating physician involved in direct patient care. The person posing the question absolves the responder of any liability in regards to opinions given.

1 × 1 =

Contact PhysioDC

Office: 202-223-8500
Fax: 202-379-9299
Email Us
Listen to Our Podcast

Physical Therapy Office Location

1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20036

Click here for directions

Offering the Following Services

  • Physical Therapy
  • Hand Therapy
  • Running Analysis
  • Functional Dry Needling
  • Concussion Management
  • Dance Rehabilitation
  • Custom Orthotics

Select Your Body Part

Click the image below to try our Select Your Body Part tool to read articles relevant to you.

Most Popular Articles

  • 1. Why Won’t My Elbow Straighten?
  • 2. When Can I Start Working Out After Shoulder Surgery?
  • 3. Managing Expectations When Recovering from Labral Repair
  • 4. Shoulder Surgery: When Can I Get Rid of My Shoulder Sling?
  • 5. Why Are My Ring Finger & Pinky Finger Numb?
  • 6. Two Long-Term Effects of Ankle Sprains
  • 7. Post-Surgical Ankle Boot? Please Get a Lift For Your Other Shoe!
  • 8. How to Sleep Comfortably after Shoulder Surgery
  • 9. Physical Therapist Reviews Shaun T’s Insanity Routine
  • 10. Do Your Ribs Move?
  • 11. Hip Labral Repair Rehabilitation: What To Expect
  • 12. Why Should I Stretch My Back on a Foam Roll?
  • 13. Physical Therapist CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

Recent Posts

  • Ten Common Ways To Strain Your Neck
  • Swan Neck Deformity of the Finger
  • Pride and Exercise
  • Can You Do This Simple Exercise?
  • Five Holistic Strategies for Managing Pain
  • The Healthcare Plight of the Working Dancer
  • How Long Will It Take Me To Recover From Surgery?
  • Right Side Dominant?
  • Getting en Pointe: For the Progressing Dancer
  • Ruling Out Alternative Causes Of Spinal Pain

Join the Discussion

  • Nikolai Wyman-Beauregard on Experiencing Stiff Hands?
  • Anna on Getting en Pointe: For the Progressing Dancer
  • Barbara on Why Won’t My Finger Straighten?
  • Karo on I Can’t Open My Hand All the Way: A Look at Dupuytren’s Disease
  • Jimmy on Low Back Problems Can Be a Real Pain in the Butt
  • Cathrine Katsigianni on Floor Barre Practice for Dancers
  • Cathy Freeland on Should I Use Ice or Should I Use Heat?
  • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT on Can You Balance on One Leg?
  • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT on Microfracture Knee Surgery Rehabilitation
  • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT on Review of Specialized Sleeping Pillow

PhysioDC Address

1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20036
Entrance on K Street

Find us on Google Maps

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday    7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Contact PhysioDC

Office: 202-223-8500
Fax: 202-379-9299

Email Us through our online contact form.

Copyright © 2023 Washington PhysioDC, LLC · Sitemap · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer
PhysioDC is a unique, physical therapist owned & operated rehabilitation clinic conveniently located in downtown Washington, D.C.

Resources · Recommended Products · Exercise Videos · Podcasts · Photo Gallery

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for Educational Purposes Only and is not designed to diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure any health conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated statements about these health topics or any suggested product compositions. Answers to questions submitted are merely the opinion of the physical therapist and should not be taken as a prescribed course of action. Any advice given by the therapist must be cleared with the treating physician involved in direct patient care. The person posing the question absolves the responder of any liability in regards to opinions given. PhysioDC insists that all patients receive approval from a prescribing physician prior to starting a structured exercise program involving any of the exercises included on this site. PhysioDC.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.