When compared with knee compression sleeves and arm compression sleeves, which compress the joints, calf compression sleeves can look unusual and even considered pointless.
But do calf compression sleeves work?
To get to the answer, it’s necessary to understand what compression sleeves are used for, in general, and the benefits they provide.
So, below, find out everything you need to know about compression sleeves for calves, including what they are used for, when to wear them, and whether calf compression sleeves are worth buying.
What Are Compression Sleeves Used For?
Compression sleeves are not just worn by fitness enthusiasts, but also by people who suffer from joint complications and disorders, such as arthritis.
Compression sleeves have several purposes and these include support, warmth, protection, and the ability to increase blood circulation.
On the whole, they can be used to improve physical performance (demanding or not), alleviate joint pain, and rehabilitate injuries that have occurred to the joints or muscles.
Compression sleeves are typically made from nylon, spandex, and/or polyester to be stretchable, breathable, and non-slip. They are most commonly worn on the elbows or knees.
Does Compression Help Healing?
Compression sleeves can help with healing to some degree. Compressing the afflicted area can improve blood flow to the injury, which may speed up the repair and recovery process.
This is especially the case for exercise-related injuries such as tendonitis (also called tendinopathy), bursitis, ligament strains, damaged cartilage, dislocations, and more.
Compression can also help to provide warmth and improved blood circulation to conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and other conditions related to rheumatism and joint degeneration.
Do Calf Compression Sleeves Work?
So, what about calf compression sleeves? Do calf compression sleeves work?
Calf compression sleeves are worn around the calf muscle and, in general, do not cover the ankle or knee joints. As a result, they are focused on the calf muscle and not on any of the joints.
Despite that, the purpose of calf compression sleeves remains the same: to provide support, warmth, protection, and improved blood circulation.
If fitted properly and used correctly, there is no evidence to suggest that calf compression sleeves do not work. If the person wearing calf compression sleeves finds that they deliver one or more of the above benefits, then that is enough reason to use them.
This might be for the purpose of having calf support during exercises or for rehabilitation due to a calf-related injury.
Types Of Compression Sleeves For Calves
Like most compression sleeves, calf compression sleeves are available in different sizes, colors, and materials.
In general, calf compression sleeve material involves the same fabric used for other compression sleeves, which are nylon, spandex, and polyester.
Most calf compression sleeves will feature a range of sizes, which is typically measured from the widest point of the calf muscle.
Some calf compression sleeves might also have copper-infused fabric, which claims to provide therapeutic thermal properties.
When Should You Wear Compression Calf Sleeves?
Compression sleeves for the calves do not have to be worn during exercise only.
As they are used to provide warmth, support, and increased blood circulation, they can also be worn by people with calf injuries going through muscular rehabilitation.
If you feel that you need extra support while performing exercises that involve the calf muscles, such as squats, lunges, and step-ups, the compression benefits of calf sleeves can be beneficial.
In the same way, calf compression sleeves can be worn to provide support and rehabilitative blood circulation if you have recently suffered a calf injury.
Calf compression sleeves can also be worn while running or cycling to provide warmth and protection against dirt or debris, especially if wearing tights or sweats is not preferred.
Can I Wear A Compression Sleeve All Day?
There is nothing wrong with wearing a compression sleeve – whether it’s an arm sleeve, knee sleeve, or calf compression sleeve – all day, and even while sleeping, as long as it is not too tight to an uncomfortable or restrictive degree.
If you are experiencing weakness in the area that you are wearing the compression sleeve, numbness, or restriction with basic movements, then it would be a good idea to take the compression sleeve off and maybe consider buying a new one if discomfort is experienced often.
The Benefits Of Calf Compression Sleeves (Summarized)
To summarize all the above points, the benefits of calf compression sleeves include:
- support for exercises that involve the calves, such as running, jumping, squats, lunges, step-ups, and so on
- support and rehabilitation for calf-related injuries, including pulled calves and calf strains, as well as shin splints
- warmth for outdoor physical activities
- protection against dirt and debris during outdoor activities
- affordable
- easy to use and wear
Are Calf Compression Sleeves Worth Buying?
Lastly, are calf compression sleeves worth buying?
The purpose of wearing calf compression sleeves is to offer support, warmth, protection, and increased blood flow (for rehabilitation) to the calf muscles.
So, if you find that you might benefit from one or more of the above, then calf compression sleeves can absolutely be worth buying.
Overall, calf compression sleeves are affordable (in the price range of $10-20) and easy to fit and wear.
When buying calf compression sleeves, all that is typically needed is to measure your calf at its widest point to find your size with reference to the product measurements.
Conclusion
Do calf compression sleeves work? If fitted correctly to provide the right amount of compression, calf compression sleeves will work to provide muscular support, warmth, protection against dirt and debris, and increased blood circulation (for rehabilitation) to the calves.
Calf compression sleeves can be worn while doing exercise or not, since they can also help to support the calf muscles and rehabilitate common calf-related injuries by increasing blood flow to the afflicted area.
Ultimately, you will most likely find calf compression sleeves helpful if you think you will benefit from what they have to offer.
Calf compression sleeves are affordable and easy to fit and wear, and may even be possible to serve a double purpose as arm compression sleeves.
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