1. Leg swelling - Leg swelling can be a symptom of multiple medical conditions. After consulting a doctor to properly diagnose the source of the swelling, compression socks may be used to help alleviate those symptoms. 

2. Varicose Veins - When the veins in your legs become enlarged due to the daily pressure of walking and standing on the lower body, these stockings help your vein valves to function with the added pressure, making it easier to get blood flowing back up to your heart without having to work as hard against gravity. 

3. Athletic support - These socks may help deliver more oxygen to leg muscles and increase athletic performance. Wearing them during and after the activity has also been viewed as a way to help combat lower-body soreness after a strenuous workout. 

4. Deep vein thrombosis - Compression socks might be proactively worn to help prevent those at risk for developing a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) blood clot from forming in a leg or pelvis vein. 

5. Pregnancy - The increased weight on the lower body during pregnancy may increase or worsen the development of varicose veins for women that are at risk for them 

6. Bed Rest - If you’re bedridden while recovering from surgery or resting for other medical reasons, the chance of developing blood clots can rise when you’re not as active as usual. Compression socks can help improve blood flow to the legs until you’re able to move on a daily basis again. 

7. Travel - Compression socks may be useful for people who are at risk of developing blood clots if they are standing or sitting without movement for long periods. 

8. Long work days - When you’re off vacation and back to the daily grind, those that work on their feet or sit in an office cubicle all day with little variation may face the same threat of leg swelling, varicose veins, and developing blood clots.

Before self perscribing compression socks it is always best to consult with a doctor to see if they would benefit you. People who have peripher vascular disease (reduced blood flow to your lower extremities) should NOT wear compression socks.

Compression socks should NOT be worn at night.