Restless Legs - How Compression Socks Can Help

Restless Legs - How Compression Socks Can Help

So What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition that provokes uncomfortable sensations in your leg (or legs). These provocations can occur at any time when you aren’t physically active but are most noticeable at night when trying to rest. Making matters worse, the discomfort doesn’t subside until you move your legs, which is where RLS gets its name.

Roughly twelve million Americans live with RLS every day, but unfortunately, RLS can be difficult to diagnose despite its prevalence, with most doctors relying on patients to self-report symptoms to detect it. The good news is that just because it’s difficult to recognize doesn’t mean it’s hard to treat. You can reliably treat RLS at home with a simple pair of compression socks. 

What Causes RLS?

Despite a great deal of research into the source of RLS, there are only a number of theories to the cause, but no definitive source has been determined.

Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome 

Because the strange sensations RLS causes don’t normally occur when you’re active, most ‘attacks’ happen in the evening when you’re resting or trying to sleep.  While RLS itself isn’t harmful, the disruption it causes to your sleep cycle can be detrimental to both your mental and physical health. 

There are currently a number of treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome (including medication) but conservative, at-home, treatments have proven to treat the symptoms without wrecking your lifestyle.  One of these at-home treatments is wearing compression socks

Compression socks are a favorite treatment because of their simplicity.  You wear them like normal socks, so they don’t create any unnecessary steps to your daily routine.  The application of pressure helps to offset the discomfort of RLS symptoms.  It’s worth noting that the compression shouldn’t be uncomfortable, you want a squeeze but not strangulation! 

Many people with RLS like to start with compression wear in the 15-25 mmHg compression range. This moderate level of compression provides all the benefits of the therapy without becoming too restrictive.

Graduated compression from knee high socks will provide the perfect amount of pressure in the right places and make your legs feel healthier. As an added bonus, they’ll also help to decrease any swelling in the legs and improve the circulation of blood throughout the lower body. 

At the end of the day, compression socks (especially knee high compression socks) will help you manage the symptoms of RLS AND provide a boost to your blood flow, increase your circulation and prevent swelling in your lower legs! 

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