Generally speaking, the terminology involving support and compression garments can be rather confusing for most of us delving into this subject.
Frequently, and in most cases unintentionally, articles in the media, on websites and in blogs seem to mix and match phrases and terms describing support and compression garments freely, often describing something different than what they are actually talking about.
If you are puzzled by the names and choices – here is our attempt to clarify the terms that are being used for support and compression hosiery and to shed some light on what it all means.
Support Stockings and Support Pantyhose:
These types of support garments traditionally include knee-high, thigh-high and pantyhose type hosiery of compression classes below the range of 20 mmHg*). Nevertheless, the terms support stockings, support pantyhose or support tights do not always mean that they also feature graduated compression.
Graduated or gradient pressure is the pressure the support stocking or pantyhose exerts on your legs. The applied pressure is the strongest at the ankle area, gradually decreasing going up the leg, with the lowest pressure applied to your thigh area.
Support pantyhose or stockings are generally advocated as a preventive measure to preserve healthy legs or to remedy and soothe minor but often nagging symptoms in the legs. Such signs and indications can manifest themselves as a feeling of heaviness or pain in the legs.
This can be caused by extended periods of standing or sitting (at work or during travel by plane, train, bus or car), discomfort from restless legs or minor swelling. In addition, support socks, tights or hose have also proven to aid athletes with quicker recovery from spirited running or biking activities.
A Word of Caution:
Self-diagnosing and applying compression stockings without consulting your medical care provider could be dangerous to your health depending on your condition(s) and could potentially make things worse. Always seek the advice of your physician before making any changes.
Compression Stockings and Compression Pantyhose:
Compression stockings could be considered “support hosiery on steroids”. These compression socks, knee-highs, thigh-highs and pantyhose style garments always feature graduated compression. They always come in compression levels ranging from 20-40 mmHg or higher and should, as with any type of compression or support hose, be applied only as recommended and approved by your physician.
Compression stockings are divided into different classifications with varying degrees of compression, each addressing the varying degrees of symptoms and severity of a condition.
Class I Graduated Compression Stockings (15-21 mmHg) are designed to address the initial stages or milder symptoms of
Class II Graduated Compression Stockings (20-30 mmHg) are intended to help with
Class III Graduated Compression Stockings (30-40 mmHg) are prescribed to address:
Class IV Graduated Compression Stockings (above 59 mmHg) provide very strong compression and are usually intended for:
See also our post “A Closer Look at Compression Classifications”
*) = is the pressure applied by the stockings to the leg measured in units of mmHg [millimeters of mercury]
Although lipedema is a disease that has been identified as such for about ¾ of…
Your alarm goes off, you think you are ready to start your day and the…
The controversy around the usefulness of compression stockings during athletic running performance continues. A recent…
One of the major challenges with employing compression therapy is to create a balance between…
Diabetes Patients May Soon be Able to Benefit from Hi-Tech Socks and Stockings Over time, the…
According to recently published information from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) the latest…
View Comments
It can be fairly wonderful how a simple concept transforms in to a full post, don’t you think so? You post well, and I actually wish I got a bit of the talent to put in writing by myself! — Tom
Thanks, incredibly nice article.
Hi. I found this website and it immediately appealed to me. I will certainly remain a constant visitor. Respectfully - Judith
Thank you for your tips!
What a good web page and clarifying posts. Regards.
Wow. This blog is truly a gold mine.
love the site, very nice and meaningful, keep it up.
Some genuinely grand work on behalf of the owner of this internet site, absolutely great content.
Wow this is a must visit, bookmarking your website now. Please continue to write, your style is very well read.
Found your blog today and I have read some awesome articles over here. I just wanna thank you for posting it so we all can learn about it!