Foot pain affects about 1 in 4 people worldwide. Whether it's caused by long hours on your feet, a sudden injury or a medical condition, foot pain can significantly impact your activity levels and make even basic movements feel burdensome.
Thankfully, there are several ways you can address your foot pain, one of which involves compression socks. Compression socks provide graduated compression to your legs and feet, promoting blood flow and preventing fluid from accumulating in your legs. If you’ve been dealing with foot pain, your doctor or physical therapist may have recommended compression socks to give your feet relief.
Whether you're an athlete, a nurse or just someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, compression socks can help make your feet feel more comfortable and less fatigued. Before wearing your compression socks, it’s important to understand how they work to target foot pain symptoms and boost your healing — especially when combined with other treatments like physical therapy.
How do compression socks help with foot pain?
Compression socks are hosiery designed to provide extra support and compression to your feet, legs, and ankles. They are often prescribed to ease foot and leg pain related to issues like venous diseases, lymphedema, plantar fasciitis, and neuropathy. Compression socks can also be used to prevent foot pain without these conditions, especially during exercise. A study showed that compression socks reduce muscle soreness related to exercise and limited inflammation.
Compression socks can help ease foot pain by:
- Improving blood circulation — Compression socks work by applying gentle pressure to the feet and legs, which helps to improve blood flow. This improved circulation helps reduce swelling and discomfort in the feet, making them feel more relaxed and less painful.
- Reducing swelling — Swelling is a common problem that people experience in their feet, especially after prolonged periods of standing or walking. Compression socks help reduce swelling by applying gentle pressure to the feet and legs, which helps to reduce the accumulation of fluid in these areas.
- Supporting the arches — Compression socks are designed to provide extra support to the arches of your feet. This support helps reduce the strain on the feet and reduces the risk of developing conditions like plantar fasciitis and other foot-related issues.
What else can you do to ease your foot pain?
Compression socks aren’t the only way you can ease foot pain. You can combine compression socks with the following treatments to help you manage your foot pain throughout the day:
- Resting — When your feet hurt, you should avoid activities that strain them; overexerting your feet can lead to further injury. You should rest your feet as much as possible. While you’re resting, you can also try icing your feet for short periods of time to restrict blood flow and limit your foot pain. While you aren’t resting, you should wear compression socks for extra support.
- Wearing comfortable shoes — Wearing shoes with good arch support can help reduce stress on your feet and ease pain throughout the day. Wearing comfortable shoes with compression socks can give your feet as much cushion as possible.
- Wearing orthotics — Your doctor can prescribe custom orthotics that provide additional support for your feet. Your orthotics can be molded according to your foot’s unique shape, distributing your weight evenly and preventing foot pain over time. You can combine your orthotics with compression socks to limit foot pain and maximize your foot support.
- Going to physical therapy — A physical therapist can design a personalized exercise program that targets specific muscles and joints in your feet that are causing you pain. These exercises can help increase flexibility, range of motion, and strength in the feet. Physical therapists can also use manual techniques such as joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization to improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and ease pain in your feet.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for your foot pain
While compression socks can help ease your foot pain, you may need the help of a physical therapist to help you get the results you need. At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need.
Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address your foot pain, even with compression socks.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!
FAQs
Compression socks can help ease foot pain by: Improving blood circulation — Compression socks work by applying gentle pressure to the feet and legs, which helps to improve blood flow. This improved circulation helps reduce swelling and discomfort in the feet, making them feel more relaxed and less painful.
Will compression socks help with foot pain? ›
One of the best ways to improve your foot pain is to apply compression. Compression increases blood flow, and increased blood flow means faster healing. Wearing compression socks is one great way to ensure progress during your plantar fasciitis recovery.
How tight should compression socks be on your feet? ›
Stockings should feel snug, but not painfully tight. Mild compression, with lower numbers, is usually enough to keep you comfortable on your feet at work. You'll need higher numbers with a firmer fit to prevent DVT.
Are compression socks good for walking all day? ›
Is it Safe to Wear Compression Stockings While Walking for Extended Periods? Compression socks are safe to wear as long as you feel comfortable. However, we recommend easing the feeling of therapeutic pressure on your legs - lower leg pressure may not be for everyone, especially not right away!
What is the difference between compression socks and neuropathy socks? ›
While diabetic socks are loose-fitting and non-binding, compression socks exert a gradual level of pressure onto the lower limbs. Diabetic socks: Protect the feet and lower limbs from hot or cold conditions when patients cannot feel these adequately (a side effect of nerve damage caused by diabetes);
Is there a downside to wearing compression socks? ›
As with any treatment option, there are some potential risks of wearing compression socks. Compression socks can cause: Discomfort: At higher pressures, compression socks can feel really tight and uncomfortable. Skin irritation or damage: Signs of irritation may include tingling, itching, redness, or bruising.
How long does it take for compression socks to work? ›
However, it may take several days of regular use to enjoy a noticeable reduction in swelling. For best results, put on your compression garment first thing in the morning. This is when your limbs are the least swollen. Visible improvement in the appearance of your veins can take up to six weeks to see.
What is the alternative to compression socks? ›
Luckily, there is a great alternative to compression hosiery - compression wraps! Compression wraps get wrapped around the leg and secured with Velcro straps, whereas conventional compression socks need to be pulled on and up. Wraps can be easily adjusted and are also great for those who need 24-hour compression.
Is it bad to leave compression socks on for too long? ›
Overusing compression socks and wearing them incorrectly can break your skin and create conditions where an infection can start. You shouldn't leave the same pair of compression socks on for days at a time, and you should ask a doctor about the length of wear time recommended for treating your symptoms.
Where does the fluid go when wearing compression stockings? ›
The leg can be so edematous (swollen) that once the sock is on, it will squeeze fluid out of the tissue to above the sock. When the circumference of the leg covered by the sock is reduced, the squeeze becomes less and the remaining fluid in the leg remains.
The LEVSOX 20-30 mmHg Compression Socks for Women and Men met all these requirements when we tried them ourselves, so we've selected them as our best overall pick. The fit, feel, support, and value were all perfect. They weren't hard to wear; they were about as snug and flexible as tights or leggings.
Why do compression socks stop pain? ›
“Compression socks have also been shown to help decrease swelling and pain in the legs and ankles,” explains a Riverside provider. “By applying pressure to the legs, they reduce the extra fluid in the legs, reduce inflammation, and ultimately improve blood flow through the veins to the heart.
Can compression socks help with nerve pain? ›
In this adverse situation, compression socks act as effective tools for symptom relief. Specifically designed for neuropathy patients, these socks work by enhancing circulation which in turn helps reduce feelings of numbness and burning sensations often associated with this condition.
Why do the bottoms of my feet hurt so bad? ›
Pain in the bottom of your foot is often caused by exercise, such as running, wearing shoes that are too tight or a condition, such as Morton's neuroma. Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the bottom of the foot. Hard or cracked skin or a verruca can also cause this type of pain.
Does wearing socks reduce foot pain? ›
Socks can help to offer some relief if you're suffering from foot pain. A plantar fasciitis sock (or sleeve) can help offer some support for your arch. Compression socks can also help improve blood flow to the area, resulting in less pain.
How do compression socks help nerve pain? ›
Compression socks, for example, are known to relieve pain by boosting blood circulation.
What level of compression socks do I need? ›
There is evidence that high-compression stockings (30–40 mm Hg) are effective. Generally, the highest level of compression (20–60 mm Hg) that the patient can tolerate is likely to be the most beneficial. However, lower compression can be used for milder lymphedema or general leg edema.
