You should wear anti-embolism stockings when you are recovering from surgery, a long illness, or otherwise confined to bed. Anti-embolism stockings are not meant to be worn while you are walking around or going about your day normally. The word that is used most often is “ambulatory” or “non-ambulatory”. Ambulatory is when you are able to get up and walk around and non-ambulatory would be the opposite. Anti-embolism stockings have a different kind of compression structure, the compression changes as the stocking moves up the leg. This style of compression is best suited for non-ambulatory usage. For the best results, you should not use them when you are going to work or able to freely walk around your home.