Compression Stockings 101: What You Need to Know

They're not just for hospital visits — and they might be exactly what your legs have been missing

Compression stockings have a bit of an image problem. Many people associate them with hospital recovery, elderly relatives, or something their doctor mentioned once and they promptly forgot about. But the reality is that compression stockings are one of the most effective, evidence-based tools available for leg and foot health — and far more people could benefit from them than currently wear them.

Here's everything you need to know, explained plainly.

What Compression Stockings Actually Do

Compression stockings are specially designed hosiery that apply graduated pressure to the lower leg — tightest at the ankle and gradually decreasing up toward the knee or thigh. This graduated pressure does something very specific: it helps the veins in your legs push blood back up toward the heart.

Your veins rely on two things to keep blood moving upward against gravity: one-way valves inside the vein walls, and the pumping action of your calf muscles when you walk. When either of these mechanisms is compromised — by prolonged sitting, standing, vein damage, pregnancy, or chronic venous disease — blood begins to pool in the lower legs, causing swelling, discomfort, heaviness, and over time, potentially more serious complications.

Compression stockings support the vein walls from the outside, helping them do their job even when the body's internal mechanisms are struggling.

Who Needs Compression Stockings?

Compression stockings are recommended for a wide range of people and situations. You may benefit from wearing them if you:

• Have varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency

• Experience regular leg swelling, heaviness, or fatigue by the end of the day

• Stand or sit for extended periods as part of your work — nurses, teachers, retail workers, office workers, and drivers are all good candidates

• Travel frequently on long flights or road trips

• Are pregnant — leg swelling and increased DVT risk make compression particularly valuable during pregnancy

• Have a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots

• Have lymphedema or chronic swelling in the lower limbs

• Are recovering from surgery, particularly to the legs or abdomen

• Have diabetes with any degree of circulatory involvement

You don't need a serious medical condition to benefit from compression. Many perfectly healthy people wear them simply because their legs feel better at the end of the day when they do.

Understanding Compression Levels

Not all compression stockings provide the same amount of pressure. Compression is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and comes in several levels:

• 8–15 mmHg (Mild): Light compression for everyday comfort, tired legs, and minor swelling. Often available without a prescription and suitable for preventive use during travel or prolonged standing.

• 15–20 mmHg (Moderate): Suitable for mild varicose veins, pregnancy-related swelling, and travel. This is the most commonly recommended level for general use.

• 20–30 mmHg (Firm): A medical-grade level typically recommended for more significant venous insufficiency, moderate varicose veins, post-surgical recovery, and DVT prevention. Should be fitted properly.

• 30–40 mmHg (Extra Firm): For more serious venous conditions and lymphedema. Always requires professional fitting and often a medical recommendation.

Wearing the wrong compression level can be uncomfortable and potentially counterproductive. This is why proper fitting matters — and why we're here to help.

Why Proper Fitting Makes All the Difference

One of the most common mistakes people make with compression stockings is buying them off the shelf or online in the wrong size or compression level without being measured correctly. A stocking that's too tight can restrict blood flow rather than support it. One that's too loose simply won't do the job. And one that doesn't fit the length of your leg properly will bunch, roll, or create pressure points at all the wrong places.

A proper fitting takes measurements of your ankle, calf, and leg length, and matches those to the right size and compression level for your specific situation. It takes only a few minutes and makes an enormous difference to both the effectiveness and the wearability of the stocking.

At Sole Renewal, we carry Sigvaris compression stockings — a medical-grade brand known for both their therapeutic quality and their wearability. Sigvaris products are designed to feel comfortable enough to actually wear every day, which matters because compression only works if you have them on.

Tips for Wearing Compression Stockings

If you're new to compression, here are a few things that will make the experience much easier:

• Put them on first thing in the morning. Your legs are least swollen when you first wake up. Putting compression on before you're up and moving means it's in place before fluid begins to accumulate.

• Use a stocking donner if needed. Compression stockings can be difficult to get on, particularly for people with limited mobility or flexibility. A stocking donner is a simple assistive device that makes the process much easier — ask us about options.

• Smooth out any wrinkles. Bunching or rolling creates uneven pressure points. Take a moment to smooth the stocking evenly up the leg after putting it on.

• Wash them regularly. Compression stockings should be washed after each wear to maintain their elasticity and hygiene. Follow the care instructions for your specific brand.

• Replace them when the elasticity goes. Most compression stockings last around 3–6 months of daily wear. When they start to feel looser or less supportive, it's time for a new pair.

A Word on Summer and Compression

We know — the idea of wearing stockings in the summer heat is not exactly appealing. But modern compression stockings have come a long way. Sigvaris offers lightweight, breathable options designed specifically for warmer weather that are far more comfortable in the heat than the thick, opaque stockings of years past.

If your legs swell in summer heat, if you're travelling, or if you have a condition that requires compression year-round, the comfort of modern options makes it much more manageable. And your legs will genuinely thank you for it.

Not Sure If Compression Is Right for You?

That's exactly what we're here for. Our team can assess your circulation, take your measurements, and help you understand what level of compression — if any — is appropriate for your situation. And if you're already wearing compression and it doesn't feel quite right, we can check your fit and make sure you're getting the most out of it.

Book an appointment at www.solerenewalfootcare.ca and let's take care of your legs properly.

— Natalie Doucet, RPN | Sole Renewal Footcare & Wellness | Oshawa, Ontario