Circulation
Support stockings help reduce swelling in your feet by improving circulation. The stockings or hose put pressure on your legs and feet, forcing blood through them at a more efficient rate. This reduces the likelihood that your feet will swell up and start aching.
Gravity
Support stockings also prevent gravity from making your feet swell. Most foot swelling is caused by blood settling in the feet. This settling occurs when the blood can't be pumped back up into your legs. The stockings encourage the blood back up your leg, rather than sticking around in your feet and causing edema.
Supported Veins
Support stockings also provide a rigid structure for your veins. People with varicose veins are more likely to suffer from swollen feet, especially if on their feet for most of the day. Support hose can reinforce the walls of your veins and prevent blood from pooling.
