Compression

What are support stockings?

Woman sitting on couch with compression socks and coffee.

WHAT ARE COMPRESSION SOCKS AND SUPPORT SOCKS?

These types of stockings are therapeutic elastic stockings that are often used by people who suffer from varicose veins, fluid in the legs or thrombosis. Compression stockings stimulate blood circulation, which means that complaints such as tired legs, varicose veins, swollen legs, swollen feet and ankles disappear or decrease. The terms support stockings and compression stockings are often used interchangeably. The term support stockings is actually more popularly known than compression stockings. In fact, support stockings and compression stockings are exactly the same.

But what about the different types of support stockings?

COMPRESSION SOCKS CLASS 1, CLASS 2 AND CLASS 3

The terms compression stockings and compression stockings are often used interchangeably. The term compression stockings is also better known in the world than compression stockings. Compression stockings are available in 4 different types of pressure classes. The higher the class, the higher the pressure. With a preventive goal in mind, a class 1 compression stocking is worn. For light complaints a class 2 stocking. When you experience severe symptoms, you are obliged to ask your doctor for advice. This then advises you whether a class 3 or class 4 compression stocking is the right choice. Support stockings have a preventive function, just like our class 1 compression stockings. Since the term support stockings is popularly known as compression stockings, the terms on our shop are used interchangeably.

WHY ARE SUPPORT STOCKINGS IMPORTANT FOR BLOOD CIRCULATION?

You may already know that if we sit or stand for a long time without moving, we deprive our body of a very natural function, namely helping a more efficient blood circulation. This function is the natural flexure of our leg muscles. When we walk, jog or move our feet in a swinging motion, we automatically activate our calf muscles. The alternating flexion and relaxing movement of the calf muscles behave like a built-in pump in the lower legs to help circulate the blood. In addition to the calf muscles, the veins in the legs are equipped with non-return valves that prevent the blood from flowing in the wrong direction. The calf muscle movement squeezes the arteries in the legs in a gentle rhythm. This helps to push the blood in the veins of the leg against gravity back towards the heart, so that the lungs are re-supplied with oxygen. When a person is immobile for a longer period of time, such as with occupations where sitting or standing for a long time is normal or traveling with a plane, train, bus or car, this pumping action of the calf muscles is "switched off". The blood circulation is therefore somewhat delayed or in any case does not work as efficiently as when a person is walking.

You may now think: "Why would this be a problem - many people come across these kinds of situations on a daily basis" and that's right. But the fact is that many people are still not aware that this could become a problem. When a person is motionless or standing for a longer period of time, the blood will stay in the lower legs and feet, which can contribute to swelling. In the worst case, the risk of blood clots is increased. In medical terms this is also known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. This can be aggravated if an individual has existing disorders of the veins, such as defective valves in the veins or even varicose veins. Blood clots in the veins can be dangerous, because if they break loose they can travel to the heart and end up in the lungs. Such a potentially life-threatening situation is known as a pulmonary embolism, requiring immediate medical attention.

WHAT CAN SUPPORT STOCKINGS DO FOR BLOOD CIRCULATION?

Support stockings with degressive compression are designed to prevent many negative effects resulting from prolonged sitting or standing. Due to the strong downward gravity our bloodstream needs all the help it can get. This is normally done in a natural way by tightening the calf muscles when we are active and moving. If we can not move, the degressive compression of compression stockings can help boost and thus push the blood back upwards. The principle of degressive compression, which is incorporated in the support stockings of Bestelsteunkousen.nl, consists of firmly squeezing the legs, starting with the highest compression at the ankles. From there, the pressure exerted gradually decreases until it eventually performs the least compression on the upper leg. This degressive compression prevents and / or reduces the swelling in the feet and ankles and provides the legs with new energy.

The assortment of Bestelsteunkousen.nl can no longer be compared to the meat-colored, unattractive "Grandma" support stockings from the past. Thanks to innovative, patented materials such as LYCRA® and COOLMAX® and cutting edge production techniques, everyone can enjoy support stockings that are hipper and more attractive than ever before!

CIRCULATORY STOCKINGS

The principle of degressive compression, which is incorporated in the STOX compression stockings, consists of firmly squeezing the legs, starting with the highest compression at the ankles. From there, the pressure applied gradually decreases, until it finally exerts the least compression on the upper leg. This graduated compression prevents and/or reduces swelling in the feet and ankles and supplies the legs with new blood and new energy. In fact, STOX compression stockings are circulatory stockings, specially made to stimulate the blood circulation through the use of compression. Thanks to better blood circulation, you will experience fewer symptoms of varicose veins, thrombosis and edema.

The STOX range can no longer be compared to the flesh-coloured, unattractive "Granny" compression stockings of the past. Thanks to innovative, patented materials such as LYCRA® and COOLMAX® and cutting edge production techniques, everyone can enjoy compression stockings that are hipper and more attractive than ever before!

SUPPORT SOCKS FOR MEDICAL INDICATION

Wearing support stockings (or therapeutically elastic stockings) is advised when there is a medical indication such as an open leg. In that case it is wise to wear medical support stockings. But the medical effect of support stockings also comes in handy in case of fluid in the legs, injuries or muscle pain. The graduated compression in our elastic stockings ensures that pressure is applied to the right place in the leg, which stimulates blood circulation.

TRY SUPPORT SOCKS FOR 30 DAYS?

Would you like to try out for yourself what effect wearing support stockings has on your health? You can try our elastic stockings for 30 days. Are you still not convinced after 30 days of wearing these stockings? Then send them back to us and you will receive a full refund of the purchase amount to your account! We have different types of support stockings in our range and offer free shipping.

Fill in a few questions and immediately know which support stockings suit you.

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Niek van Spronsen

Niek has been part of the STOX Energy Socks team since 2022, writing informative and inspiring articles about compression socks, sports, health, and nutrition. With a passion for an active and healthy lifestyle, Niek shares valuable tips and advice to help athletes and health-conscious readers improve their performance and well-being.

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