How Do Compression Stockings Stay Up?

The body's circulation levels rely on a certain amount of activity or pressure to move blood and lymph fluids throughout. Limited activity levels, or chronic conditions like heart disease or edema, may cause slow circulation levels within the legs. Compression stockings have a self-supporting design that works to improve fluid flow and promote normal circulation function.

Identification

• Compression stockings promote circulation in the legs and pelvis through a gradual pressure effect that runs from the ankle and on up through the length of the stocking. The stocking is woven tightly towards the bottom portion, with a gradual loosening of the weave as it moves up the leg. This is what enables them to stay up and in place. This pressure, combined with the muscular activity taking place within the calf of the leg, works to push blood and lymph fluids through the legs and pelvis, according to CompressionStockings.com, a medical equipment provider. Individuals who've suffered a stroke or have deep vein thrombosis may be prescribed compression stockings to prevent clots from forming in the legs.

Compression Therapy

• Compression stockings are based on a type of therapy that uses gradient, or gradually increasing or decreasing compression, to affect the balance of fluids inside body tissue and blood vessels, according to CompressionStockings.com. This gradient effect also works to hold the stockings up. The effects of compression therapy help increase tissue pressure, which helps fluids move out of bodily tissues and back into capillary-blood vessel structures. This pressure also works to prevent capillaries from becoming overfilled with fluid, which can pose the risk of fluid back-up within the vessels and increased congestion.

Features

• Compression stockings come in a variety of styles, and are available by prescription or over the counter for everyday support needs, according to CompressionStockings.com. Styles may vary depending on the purpose served, some of which include anti-embolism support, silver and lymphedema. And while each type is designed to provide a certain degree of compression, the higher the degree of compression the better the stocking will stay up and in place. Anti-embolism stockings are prescribed for individuals who may be unable to walk as a result of surgery. Silver stockings contain specialized silver textile fibers designed to provide anti-microbial protection in addition to added support for tissues and blood vessels. Lymphedema stockings are prescribed for individuals who are prone to fluid buildup in the legs.

Uses

• Compression stockings are typically prescribed for individuals who suffer from conditions that inhibit normal circulation in the legs or who experience tired or aching legs on a regular basis, according to CompressionStockings.com. Conditions that may affect normal blood and lymph fluid circulation include venous insufficiency syndrome, edema, heart disease and stroke. Individuals who've developed varicose veins as a result of aging or menopause may also benefit from the compression effect provided by the stockings, as increased fluid circulation can help to flush out blocked capillary veins in the legs and prevent further blockages from developing.

Strengths

• The materials used to make compression stockings include elastic fibers and rubber. Both types of material can be manufactured in varying strengths, which allows for different compression effects per stocking, according to CompressionStockings.com. Over-the-counter (OTC) stockings come in strengths of 10 to 15 and 15 to 20 mmHg, or manometric units. Manometric units are used to measure fluid densities and pressures. And while OTC stockings may provide the least amount of compression, they still provide enough grip to stay up in place on the legs. Prescription stocking strengths can range from 20 all the way up to 50+ mmHg. The strength of the prescription is typically based on how much pressure, or compression is needed to restore normal circulation levels in the legs.