How Physiotherapy Can Treat Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are the blue or purple veins protruding from your skin. They’re most commonly on feet and legs because of the pressure of standing. They occur in about 10 to 20 per cent of people over 30 and more so in women than in men.

How can physiotherapy help?

Here are some ways:

Compression

Wearing compression stockings is vital for preventing and treating varicose veins.They steadily squeeze your legs to help improve your circulation. They may also help to relieve pain, discomfort or swelling in your legs.

Walking

Just walk more. It’s a great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs.

Pedaling

Lie flat on your back. Place your hands out to your sides. If you prefer you can place them beneath your buttocks to prevent strain to the lower back. Lift your legs off the floor, and pedal them as if you were pedaling a bicycle. The more you elevate your legs, the more you will increase blood circulation.

Leg Lifts

Lie on your back with your hands beneath your buttocks. Keep your buttocks pressed down, and your lower back against the floor. Lift one leg at a time and hold in an elevated pose perpendicular to the floor until you feel the blood begin to flow back up from your feet, calves, and thighs. Repeat with your other leg. Alternately, you can raise both legs and rotate your ankles to further improve leg circulation.

Knee bends with ankle flexion

Lie again on the floor on your back. Slowly pull one knee into your chest, holding onto your leg behind your knee (holding on top of the kneecap puts undue pressure on this delicate joint). Now, point and flex your foot several times. Do this slowly and forcefully – don’t let your foot flap around loosely, but rather tighten the muscles of the calves and the tendons around your ankle. Repeat with the opposite leg.

The same measures to treat the discomfort from varicose veins can help prevent them:

• Watching your weight;
• A high-fiber, low-salt diet;
• Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery;
• Elevating your legs;
• Avoid crossing your legs;
• Changing your sitting or standing position regularly.

At Dynamic Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, we can help you make these lifestyle changes and offer non-invasive suggestions to help your varicose vein problem. Give us a call and we’ll get you on the road to feeling better.