Nowadays, many people suffer from foot and leg conditions due to a number of causes, including a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and diabetes. These and other causes can lead to inflammation and pain in the legs and feet.
To relieve the symptoms of swollen feet, we can apply cold therapy, using cold therapy stockings to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling in these areas of the body.
What is the best cold therapy socks for foot?
- Size: S/M-L
- Material: Neoprene
- Colors: Blue
- Fit Type: Sock
- No. of units: 4 Gel Packs
- Quality finish
- Long lasting cold therapy
- Low flexibility
By simply choosing the size that best suits your foot and placing the gel sack in the refrigerator for two hours, you will achieve relaxing effects naturally generated by your own body. Don't spend money on products that won't do you any good, use this pair of neoprene socks with compression system. Remember that the fabric can be inefficient to retain the cold for a longer period of time.
- Size: S/M-L
- Material: Polyester (95%), Spandex (5%)
- Colors: Black and Blue
- Type of fit: Sock
- Unit Quantity: 6 Gel Packs
- Includes 6 Gel Packs
- Good fit
- Hot/cold therapy
- Quality stitching
- Small sizes only
- Delicate wash
They are easy to care for because they can be machine washed without losing the compression needed to help stimulate blood flow. Their unisex design with soft, skin-friendly material can be worn by any adult during leisure time, but it is important to consider that they are not comfortable for walking if you place the heating pads on the sole of the foot.
- Size: 4 to 8 years, 11 years
- Material: Neoprene
- Colors: Blue and Green
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- No. of units: 2 Gel Pack
- Fully adjustable
- Padded interior
- Quality materials
- Especially for children
- Voluminous
- Average duration of cold therapy
The soft splint easily adapts to the anatomy of the foot, so just freeze the removable cold gel and place it on the area where you need it most. Please note that in some cases moisture accumulates and causes skin irritation. It is not advisable to walk with this product for long stretches and the medical liquid may come out of its container.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Nylon
- Colors:Blue
- Type of adjustment: Strap with Velcro
- No. of units: 6 Gel Pack
- 6 Gel Packs
- Fully adjustable Velcro strap
- One size only
You should put the ice packs in the refrigerator for the necessary time and then apply it to the most sensitive areas that need more blood circulation. After a few minutes you will begin to feel in the comfort of your home the therapeutic effects of cold therapy. The elastic strips will not only prevent slippage, but will also help you achieve overall wellness faster. In some cases, the stitching started to come apart after the first few uses.
- Size: M-L
- Material: Nylon
- Colors: Gray
- Type of adjustment: Strap with Velcro
- Number of units: 6 Gel Pack
- Double Velcro strap
- Heat/Cold Therapy Gel Packs
- No small size
Chill the 6 ice packs in the freezer and place them in the external pockets available to transmit the cold to the sensitive areas of the injury. Thanks to their non-bulky volume they will not restrict joint movements, so you will be able to continue doing your tasks almost as normal. The material is not breathable and the seams may cause discomfort and reddening of the skin.
- Size: S/M-L
- Material: Nylon
- Colors: Green
- Type of adjustment: Strap with Velcro
- No. of units: 6 Gel Pack
- Gel suitable for hot/cold therapy
- Fully adjustable
- Only two sizes
It is ideal for plantar fasciitis and foot fatigue symptoms, as you only need to heat in the microwave or cool in the refrigerator the gel sachets to apply directly to the inflamed area. For faster pain relief, combine both therapies and get the necessary compression by means of the elastic strap to stimulate blood circulation. In some cases, heat retention proved insufficient.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Nylon
- Colors: Yellow
- Type of adjustment: Elastic straps
- No. of units: 6 Gel Pack
- 6 Gel Packs
- 4 Elastic Straps for better fit
- Suitable for Hot/Cold Therapy
- Quality materials
- Delicate wash
- One size only
Do not miss this opportunity to keep your feet protected without overs pending and being able to combine different options that will serve you for a faster recovery. Use the microwave or the refrigerator until the necessary temperature is reached to relax the muscles and generate a soothing effect that is beneficial to reduce the feeling of fatigue in the feet. The airtight seal of the thermal bags may be weak in some cases.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Neoprene
- Colors: Blue
- Type of fit: Slipper
- No. of units: 2 Gel Packs
- Quality materials
- Internal gel packs
- Heat/cold therapy
- Long therapy duration
- Delicate wash
- One size only
Its structure is flexible, even when you have just taken the product out of the refrigerator and it is frozen. The size covers a large part of the arch of the foot, which helps to better blood circulation and to achieve a much faster relaxation. It can be worn as long as you want, but keep in mind that it is not a recommended product for walking, as its sole could wear out quickly.
Types of hot & cold packs you should know about
What are the heat and cold therapy socks used for?
Cold:
- Mild ligament sprains
- Irritation of the Achilles tendon
- Trauma without fractures
- Muscle fatigue
- Deformation of the muscles
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neuropathy
Hot:
- Muscle cramps
- Circulatory problems
- Osteoarthritis and arthrosis
- Cartilage wear and tear
- Sprains
- Diabetes
- Strengthens muscle structure
Advantages and benefits of cold therapy socks
- Pain relief: both cold and heat relieve pain and regulate the pain threshold. All you need to do is know the type of injury you have and start applying this sock according to your physical needs at the time. For injuries like sprains and broken bones, you need to follow a specific time period and consult your doctor before applying this product.
- Reducing inflammation: Once you know the cause of the inflammation, you will know whether heat or cold is the best option. For circulatory problems, heat acts as a vasodilator and allows blood to flow back to the heart better so you don't get swollen feet when you are active at work.
- Accelerates healing: For minor or chronic injuries, e.g. due to degenerative reasons or years of wear and tear, you will feel great relief as these therapies relax the muscle fibres and other tissues such as tendons and ligaments. As the foot tissues relax, the damaged cells begin to regenerate and you will soon be active again.
- Injury prevention: You can use these therapeutic socks as a preventative measure, for example at the end of a long workout or intense physical activity such as climbing stairs, to prevent muscles from cramping and allow them to relax while they recover from the fatigue they have been exposed to. Cold reduces the likelihood of inflammation.
- Improved athletic performance: In sports, heat promotes cellular activity in muscle fibres, improving their performance and enabling them to better withstand the demands of the sport in question. These socks are recommended to help you train more often and perform better in competitions, which is a long-term benefit.
- Plantar fasciitis: This is an overuse injury of the foot and the socks prevent the inflammation of the fascia from spreading. Initially, the cold acts as a vasoconstrictor and reduces blood flow to the tissues. Once the inflammation is under control, you can use the same garment to use the heat to speed up the recovery of the foot and go about your daily activities.
- Sprains: Cold relieves the pain of the injured ligaments in a sprain, reducing swelling and helping to ease the severe pain until painkillers and anti-inflammatories take effect. You can then use the heat to gradually activate the tissues while the torn ligament fibres regenerate and the foot can be loaded again.
- Improved blood circulation: When heat is applied to any part of the body, including the feet, blood vessels dilate and blood flows better, allowing more nutrients and oxygen to reach the muscles. When venous return is improved, the pain and swelling of vascular insufficiencies such as varicose veins and ulcers, which are among the complaints of older people, are relieved.
- Foot care: If you know that your daily life is stressful, the best thing to do is to take constant care of your feet to avoid dysfunction, maintain the tendon structures, the elasticity of the ligaments and the strength of the small muscles in this part of the body. As long as you have pain and know the cause, you can wear it as you wish.
- Chemotherapy: At the beginning of chemotherapy, water retention may occur in the hands, face and feet of the patient. In this case, these stockings are used to prevent blood from collecting and swelling in the limb. The vasoconstriction in turn has a positive effect on preventing the pain and discomfort associated with this chemical treatment.
- Pregnancy: As with chemotherapy, fluid retention is common in pregnant women due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Hot and cold therapy stockings help to reduce swelling after nine months. For this reason, the last two months are the most prone to water retention.
- Degenerative diseases: Due to advanced age and overuse of the feet, diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis lead to weakening of the bones and joints, resulting in constant pain and affecting the daily life of the sufferers. Socks will relieve you in those moments of pain, discomfort and fatigue.
- Strengthen your feet: It is not true that socks will make your feet indestructible if you want to improve your athletic performance. These socks do not provide that benefit, they only serve to provide your components with more nutrients when they weaken or recover from injuries in a shorter time.
How to use cold gel packs for foot pain?
Cold therapy
When to use cold: If you want to use cold at home, you can do so without any problems as long as it is for muscle fatigue, prevention of discomfort and recovery from minor soft tissue injuries such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. This therapy is ideal in the first few minutes of such an injury, when there is swelling and severe pain in the ankle. The cold therapy socks are available in sizes for women and men and have 2 elastic compression bands for a better fit.
Using the cold: The socks should first be placed in the freezer for several hours, at least two hours, until they are completely cold. Then you should take them out and let them rest for at least 5 minutes. These socks can stay cold for more than 30 minutes and sometimes longer, but it is not recommended to exceed this time as it can be counterproductive. It is recommended to wear the socks for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and then let the foot rest for about 30 minutes. Repeat this sequence two to three times a day.
Heat therapy
When to use heat: For chronic injuries, heat has a pain-relieving effect because of the constant stress on the foot and its major components, such as the joint. It has a vasoconstrictive effect and is therefore ideal for circulatory disorders and deficiency symptoms such as varicose veins and ulcers.
They are also recommended for women in the last two months of pregnancy who have swollen feet due to fluid retention in the body. In addition, heat is beneficial for weak bone and joint structure due to degenerative diseases. You should always be aware of where the discomfort is coming from to know if heat is the best solution for you.
Use of the heat: As long as the heat therapy sock is warm, you can wear it to work all day and feel that it relieves pain and keeps the muscles active. If you have discomfort when walking due to circulation problems, you should know that this garment has many benefits for you.
If you need the sock warmer, simply place the gel bags in the microwave for 20 seconds and then use your hands to move the thermal gel around and distribute the heat more evenly for better use. You should also avoid burning the skin. If you feel discomfort for this reason, you should wait until the sock has cooled down. The therapy should not last longer than 20 minutes at a time.
Hot & cold therapy
When to use cold and heat: Contrast therapy is a combination of cold and heat in the same session or on the same day of application. It is used to relieve traumatic injuries and chronic problems of the ankle or foot.
It is also said to stimulate the nervous system, activate blood circulation through dilation and contraction, and speed up the disinfection process to support medication and physiotherapy. This combination of cryotherapy and thermotherapy can also be used to reduce stiffness in the ankle joint when the cartilage has worn away due to overuse during sports activities.
Dealing with cold and heat: You should always be careful that high and low temperatures do not burn the skin, thermal socks protect the dermis, but always be careful that too much cold or too much heat does not cause damage.
Always start with warmth, you should not spend 10 minutes with the socks on, then as the temperature of the garment changes, the foot can rest and move on to the next step of the therapy: Cold. Remember that this cycle can be repeated two or three times a day.