Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the tendons are injured, leading to inflammation that causes pain, especially pain near the heel. You cannot rest your feet and will inevitably feel pain every day. If you look it up on the Internet, you will find many things to improve plantar fasciitis. The compression socks for plantar fasciitis are famous as the most effective solution. So, how compression socks help plantar fasciitis?
1. Compression sock is perfect to reduce plantar fasciitis: There is no detailed description of why plantar fasciitis is reduced by applying pressure. It will support the ankles and heels and improve blood flow to improve plantar fasciitis.
2. For plantar fasciitis, the use of compression socks may temporarily relieve the pain: Wearing compression socks stimulates the sense of tactile pressure, and the brain feels that the pain has been relieved.
3. If you have to walk on a business trip, relieve the pain with compression socks.
4. When you wear compression socks, the skin is tightened. So, the tactile sensation reacts and signals the brain: In the human body, the tactile sensation is transmitted to the brain faster than the pain sensation. Otherwise, the sensation of pain that is transmitted later becomes dull.
As a result, the pain feels relieved. However, the injured tissue is not healed. It just relieves the pain. And even if the compression socks relieve the pain, when you exercise again, plantar fasciitis may worsen. Discover foot pain & benefits of arch support sneakers.
Do Compression Socks Work for Plantar Fasciitis?
For plantar fasciitis, the use of compression socks may temporarily relieve the pain. It is because wearing compression socks stimulates the sense of tactile pressure, and the brain feels that the pain has been relieved. They divided the human body into a pain sensation that feels pain and a tactile sensation that feels a touch. When you are in pain, the pain sensation signals your brain, and your brain feels pain.
It is okay for temporary use when you have pain, but you have to do something. For example, if you have to walk on a business trip, but it is difficult to walk because of too much pain, you can temporarily relieve the pain with compression socks. However, it is never a radical treatment. So, even if the pain is relieved it puts a strain on the injured tissue. Therefore, you should avoid regular use.
Since the cause of plantar fasciitis is a distortion of the tarsal bone, compression socks do not provide a fundamental improvement. Many people with plantar fasciitis are suffering from tarsal distortion. Therefore, wearing compression socks does not improve the distortion of the tarsal bones and is not a radical treatment. Understand that even if it relieved the pain, it is just less likely to be felt, not improved.
There is a supporter that cures the distortion of the tarsal bone. But this supporter will not be effective unless you understand the structure of the foot and attach it firmly. However, there are no socks or supporters that can be worn to cure the distortion. So, it is unlikely that items sold on the Internet will improve.
Types of Compression Socks
Healthline has listed 3 three types of compression socks:
- The anti-embolism socks for the prophylaxis of thromboembolism.
- The hosiery stated in major venous disorders. It is available in Class I, Class II, open toe, and closed-toe.
- The anti-ulcer stockings: the epidermis ulcer is a tear in the lower part of the legs. It rises because of an acute phase of chronic venous disease affecting the lower limbs. Unlike the previous ones, the anti-ulcer stockings commonly have the shape of knee-highs and are worn in pairs.
Doctors and surgeons often prescribe their use before, after, or even during surgery. Thanks to the principle of graduated compression, these garments help prevent the increase in blood viscosity and the formation of thrombus. Depending on the needs, they are characterized by different lengths and can therefore be found in the variants of:
- Knee-highs (extending from the tip of the foot to below the knee), perfect sandals for plantar fasciitis
- Sock (extending from the toe to above the knee),
- Single tights (extending from the toe to above the knee and coming with an adjustable belt)
Do Athletes Benefit from Compression Socks?
Compression stockings can relieve tired and swollen legs and treat a range of conditions such as varicose veins, edema, and phlebitis. These garments increase blood flow by encouraging the circulatory system to move blood from the lower legs to the heart.
Athletes found the benefit of wearing compression stockings to improve blood flow during physical activity. In theory, we believe the faster release of oxygen to muscle cells will lead to greater athletic endurance. However, no studies have yet shown that there is indeed a positive effect on performance.
As recent evidence is still being collected and compiled, the question remains open. Over time, we may determine under what circumstances, or in combination with other factors, compression garments can truly give athletes a competitive edge.
You can follow the instructions of this YouTube video for the most accurate method.
When to Wear Compression Socks for Plantar Fasciitis
Compression socks are ideal for ultra-marathons and ultra-trails. However, they are not suitable for too short distances. There are some cases in which it is not convenient to put them. The reason is that they do not favor the thermoregulation of our body as we are adding another covering layer over the legs. They can be perfect in winter given the colder temperatures, while for the summer we should avoid them in order not to have too much coverage on the legs.
Tips to Put on Compression Socks
1. Find a comfortable place: If you prefer to sit on the edge of the mattress, in a nice, comfortable seat, or on the floor, find a place where it is easy to reach your toes. It must provide a lot of traction when pulling up on the floor first.
2. Place your hand in the sock and turn inside out: With your sock hand, you are going to want to run your hands in the sock foot area. Once in the heels, pinch some fabric and roll the upper region of the calf ring down past the foot. So, the rest of the inner section of this compression sock is the same size as a normal tee sock.
3. Use baby powder (optional): Some guys prefer to use talcum powder (baby powder) on their toes to create a slightly easier sock glide. However, this measurement is completely optional.
4. Place the sock on: Like a typical set of casual socks, you are going to want to slip your feet over the compression sock.
5. Grasp the inner-outer band and pull up: As your foot makes its way to the compression sock, you may now need to pull the upper calf ring. As we saw in step 2, the top half of this compression sock should still be on the inside on the outside at this point. As you move to pull the sock up, the sock should easily slide up and over your leg.
6. Understand decreasing your toenails: Compression socks are not the cheapest items on the planet. For this reason, be sure to save your toenails before putting on the socks, as a sharp fingernail can certainly place a hole in the fabric. If your nails are quite sharp, a few quick strokes with a nail file should help round off some jagged edges.
Essential Accessories for Compression Socks
Application Aids
Some people who wear compression socks use them to recover from exercise. Other people use them for medical reasons to encourage the legs and toes. In all scenarios, you might need help to get your socks on.
Whether you have arthritis, weak hands, or struggling with instruction, application aids can help you get your socks on. Donner gloves are one device typically used to improve grip. Others include cuffs or handles that help you wrap the socks around your thighs.
Washing Option
Compression equipment is not suitable for the laundry system, but you will find cleaners specifically designed to wash it. It is milder than laundry detergent and made to extend the life of your socks. Take longer and load extra loads of laundry, consider hand washing to store some headaches.
Orthopedic Sole
If you need compression socks, you might also need orthopedic insoles, especially with plantar fasciitis. These insoles are prescription rather than exactly like what you buy at a drugstore. They help solve problems with walking, standing, or driving, and relieve pain caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, arthritis, and the feet.
Compression Socks Before, After, and During the Run?
In theory, there is no fixed rule to follow when using compression stockings. However, professional runners recommend using compression socks for running during training, but also after running, cool high arch running shoes can help improve the problem significantly. It avoids accusing long-term inflammation or more serious problems, such as plantar fasciitis.
Using socks during training can have immediate benefits. But how does this feeling of well-being happen? Compression stockings cover the foot and leg up to the knee. The compressive action improves the oxygenation time of the blood by pumping blood faster through the veins to the heart. Therefore, by increasing the speed of re-oxygenated blood circulation, both immediate and long-term benefits can be obtained.
Among the advantages immediately noticeable by the runner, the following symptoms are clear:
- Drop-in lactic acid production
- Decrease in muscle soreness
- Slow heart rate
The greater the exchange of oxygen between the muscles and the heart, the longer you can run before you feel the first signs of fatigue.
Compression Socks FAQs
What will be the best compression socks for men?
The best socks for men are the ones that meet your requirements. If you work out or run and need socks during or after your run, consider more casual and athletic socks. Either way, we are constantly considering graduated socks that adjust to the tension in your leg area.
How can compression socks do the job?
Compression socks help keep your feet, lower legs, and upper thighs supplied with daily oxygen-rich blood through constant, slow pressure. Socks can help blood flow to areas that need a little extra support. Including help with varicose veins (spider veins), plantar fasciitis, and much more.
How many hours per day to wear compression socks?
There is absolutely no limit to how often you should wear compression socks. Most studies agree you should not wear them all day. Always consult a physician before adding compression socks to a daily health regimen.
Could compression socks be harmful?
Yes, but it is only for people with blood circulation difficulties, to begin with. If you have arterial problems, talk to a healthcare practitioner before using compression garments.
How much compression do I need?
The best compression would be the one that suits your needs. Graduated compression socks provide different stress as they lift your leg.
Do nurses wear compression socks?
Nurses are among the most frequent consumers of compression socks. Others include servers, people in construction, or indeed anyone who needs to be on guard for an extended period.
Can compression socks increase blood pressure?
No, they do not.
How do you select the right size compression socks?
In case you have compression socks for a health cause, consider working with an expert to get the right size. Otherwise, many companies like Physix, Austin, or VitalSox equipment have solid fit guides that could help you out. Normally, the procedure involves taking measurements of your feet and legs.
Can compression socks do the job?
Yes! They might flush lactic acid from your legs after exercise and have been clinically proven to build up blood around your legs. For many, they can be the first step before seeking more expensive physical treatment.
What are the home remedies for treating plantar fasciitis?
There are many home remedies for plantar fasciitis. If your pain is moderate, rolling your foot with a tennis ball or a bottle of ice water may be enough to provide relief. For more extreme pain, wearing a compression foot sleeve or night splints has been proven to work for a lot.
