By: Joel Luedke
Compression socks can be seen everywhere these days. If you watch the Crossfit games they are worn by most of the competitors in all kinds of colors. Runners have sworn by them for years. The verdict is still out on how much they can truly help with increasing performance during activity. A recent research study by undergraduate athletic training students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found there to be no significant difference in blood lactate levels in compression socks vs. soccer socks and also no significant difference on subjective feel of improved running performing. But the use of compression for recovery is something that has been a solid tool for a long time.
Compression socks can be seen everywhere these days. If you watch the Crossfit games they are worn by most of the competitors in all kinds of colors. Runners have sworn by them for years. The verdict is still out on how much they can truly help with increasing performance during activity. A recent research study by undergraduate athletic training students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found there to be no significant difference in blood lactate levels in compression socks vs. soccer socks and also no significant difference on subjective feel of improved running performing. But the use of compression for recovery is something that has been a solid tool for a long time.

This is where compression socks can assist you in recovery and from having to deal with fat swollen ankles. When we are done working out or after a long day one of the worst things we can do is sit down as this puts a "kink" in your lymphatic system at your ankles, knees and hips and muscle contraction basically stops. If you look at the image on the right you can see where we are "pinching" off this system when we have flexion in our knees and hips. By using compression on your lower legs can help prevent the accumulation of fluid in your lower legs, ankles, and feet. It helps counteract gravity (which we will not win against completely) and keep fluids out of your lower limbs.
We can get a double effect if you're able to walk around and recover your legs after a workout while using your compression socks. At this point we are getting both the muscle contraction to help move everything through out body and the compression to help. Utilizing compression when you travel long distances in the car or on a plane trip makes an amazing difference. This is one I've personally tried because I don't do a great job hydrating and always had fat ankles after traveling. So far the compression socks are doing the trick and my legs feel better when I get there.
Compression socks aren't so expensive anymore and well worth a look online. Check to the right of this article for one recommendation on Amazon. If you travel a lot, have a desk job, generally feel like your circulation isn't great, or are looking for a better way to help recover your legs this is a simple tool that yields great results.
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