Boosting circulation with compression stockings

They're used to treat venous disease, heart failure, even deep-vein thrombosis.

Your veins return blood to your heart. But when you're standing or sitting, gravity pulls blood down, away from the heart, causing it to pool in your legs. Compression stockings help keep that from happening. They come in varying pressures—from strong to light—and in varying lengths—from knee-high to hip-high. The strongest stockings must be custom-fit and require a prescription. Lower-strength over-the-counter compression hose are available in pharmacies.