Soaking your feet in warm water can relax sore muscles and alleviate foot pain. Some people claim that adding a little Epsom salt to the water can further soothe the discomfort of fatigued and overworked feet.

Note: If you are dealing with a lingering injury that isn’t getting better, these products aren’t a suitable substitute for rest and recovery. If you’re experiencing pain while running that affects your form or swells for multiple days after a run, consult a physician. How We Selected Kerhervé HA, Samozino P, Descombe F, et al. Calf compression sleeves change biomechanics but not performance and physiological responses in trail running. Front Physiol. 2017;8:247. doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00247 Most compression sleeves are tight and stretchy, but some deliver more compression than others. To determine how tight and compressive a sleeve will feel, look for millimeters of mercury (mmHg) measurement. The higher the number, the greater the compression. For context, most sleeves will deliver between 20 to 30 millimeters of mercury of compression, but some will deliver less and others more.

The Benefits of Using Leg Compression Machines

Have venous insufficiency with ulcers. (When blood pools in the lower leg due to conditions like CVI and varicose veins, pressure from built-up blood can cause skin ulcers to form.) Have lymphedema, a condition in which lymphatic fluid builds up in the soft tissue of the body, causing swelling. It’s also worth noting that most of this compression will be “graduated.” This means there will be more compression at the bottom of the sleeve and less at the top of the sleeve. Or, to frame it in other terms, the sleeve will feel tighter at your ankle than it does at the top of your calf. Pérez-Soriano P, García-Roig Á, Sanchis-Sanchis R, Aparicio I. Influence of compression sportswear on recovery and performance: A systematic review. Journal of Industrial Textiles. 2018;48(9):1505-1524. doi:10.1177/1528083718764912 Broatch JR, Bishop DJ, Halson S. Lower limb sports compression garments improve muscle blood flow and exercise performance during repeated-sprint cycling. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018;13(7):882-890. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2017-0638

During exercise—especially more strenuous activities, like running, heavy lifting, and HIIT classes—your muscles are put through the wringer,” says Natasha Trentacosta, MD, sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. As your muscle tissues break down and as water and lactic acid build up, your muscles can become sore and swollen. Dr. Trentacosta notes that compression sleeves may help counteract this. Dermont T, Morizot L, Bouhaddi M, Ménétrier A. Changes in tissue oxygen saturation in response to different calf compression sleeves. J Sports Med (Hindawi Publ Corp). 2015;2015:857904. doi:10.1155/2015/857904Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K. Varicose veins: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(11):682-688. You'll also want to look for an ankle brace that provides stability and keeps your foot in place during activities. "An ankle brace should provide enough support to decrease symptoms while increasing ankle instability," says Robert L. Parisien, MD, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Mount Sinai and team physician for US Ski & Snowboard and USA Fencing. "However, it must be noted that following a traumatic ankle sprain, all patients should undergo formal focused physical therapy to work on stretching, strengthening, as well as neuromuscular and proprioceptive training." As a long distance runner, I’ve unfortunately suffered a few injuries in my career. Whenever I feel the strain or twinge of an oncoming injury, I immediately start using a compression sleeve to alleviate swelling. This list includes a variety of products that I have personally used and swear by, as well as the favorites from my trail running community. Considering materials used, sizing, and stretchiness, you'll find the best ankle sleeves available for runners today below. Wearing uncomfortable shoes is the leading cause of foot pain. As such, avoid shoes that are too loose or overly narrow. Wearing shoes with excess wear and tear can also contribute to foot problems, so remember to update your footwear on a regular basis.