Why compression socks aren't helpful when you sleep. As beneficial as compression socks are during the day, it turns out you’re not reaping those same rewards when you sleep.

If you're struggling to fall asleep, the cure for your bedtime woes might be as simple as putting some comfy socks on your feet.

"The only people whose sleep seems to benefit from compression socks are people diagnosed with sleep apnea and [who] typically have fluid in their legs in bed," Dr. Gradisar says.

Sleep socks are typically thick and loose and most of all comfortable — they should be well-fitted but not so tight that they restrict blood flow. You shouldn’t wear compression socks in ...

Compression socks increase circulation by applying pressure to the tissues surrounding the blood vessels in the ... removing the stockings before sleep can give a person’s skin a chance to rest.

These socks provide graduated compression from 20 to 30 mmHg, whereas the majority of over-the-counter compression socks range from 15 to 20 mmHg (mmHg is a medical measurement for pressure).

You shouldn't sleep in compression socks unless your doctor has recommended it. Similarly, you should choose socks that are made from natural (rather than synthetic) materials.

"The only people whose sleep seems to benefit from compression socks are people diagnosed with sleep apnea and [who] typically have fluid in their legs in bed," Dr. Gradisar says.