Anti-embolism socks place pressure on the legs to increase circulation. In doing so, they reduce a person’s risk of blood clots. A doctor may recommend them for someone who is unable to leave their bed.
Anti-embolism socks are made of stretchy material that slightly compresses the legs. The pressure is graduated, with each sock being tightest at the bottom by the foot and loosest at the top.
Anti-embolism socks apply graduated pressure to the legs. Manufacturers list the pressure of the socks in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), which is a unit of pressure
because the pressure in anti-embolism socks is highest at the bottom and lowest at the top, these items help the blood flow toward the heart. In doing so, they prevent blood from pooling at the feet or seeping sideways into superficial veins — those near the surface — in the leg.
The squeezing action of the socks can also make the veins a bit narrower, increasing the speed of blood flow.