Physiotherapy for Varicose veins treatment

Varicose veins are its common medical condition which effects nearly 1/3 of the young adults across the world. This is a common problem among females when compared to males. In this medical condition blue coloured or purple-coloured veins or bulges appear beneath the skin of the legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, the patient may experience pain and there might be itching but generally these are not dangerous medical condition for most of the people.

The general treatment of the varicose veins aims to provide relief from the symptoms and discomfort. There is also laser therapy, vein surgery that are used for varicose vein treatment. But the medical condition of varicose veins has high possibility of reappearing despite surgery and thus the chances of developing it can be done by following a healthy active lifestyle. Due to this reason physiotherapy has emerged as an alternative method of treating varicose veins. Physiotherapy is now regarded as the best treatment for varicose veins as it is less harmful and impact the lifestyle changes that is highly essential to prevent the disease.

Benefits of physiotherapy in varicose vein treatment

Physiotherapy involves physical exercises that aim to provide following benefits in varicose veins treatment;

• It helps in improvising the blood circulation in the affected areas through simple exercises like stretching, walking etc.
• With proper physical therapy a proper weight can be managed that can help in reducing the pressure that the blood vessels are facing and can help in reducing pain and discomfort.
• Physiotherapy can help in the healing of the damaged veins without the need of any invasive surgical methods.
• It can help in reducing pain and discomfort in effected areas.

Thus, the objective of physiotherapy in varicose veins treatment is to make the blood circulation proper and to reduce the stress and pressure on the blood vessels.

Exercises for varicose vein treatment

The varicose veins treatment physiotherapy involves numerous exercises based on the patient condition. This may not be suitable for every patient. Thus, consult the health expert before undertaking any exercise. Some of the recommended exercises are as follows:

• Walking: it is the best exercise that can help in improvising the blood circulation in the affected areas. Walking or jogging half an hour in a day would help in enhancing blood flow. Certain practice like opting stairs rather than elevator, and walking small distance rather than vehicle can help in improving your condition.
• Lunges: This a leg stretching exercise. It helps in strengthening calf muscles. The best way to do is to stand straight and move your legs apart. Place one leg forward and bend slowly the knee such that the leg that is behind is straight. Slowly raise the body. Change the leg positions and repeat it for 10 times.
• Calf raises: This exercise is highly beneficial in preventing the formation of new varicose veins. Stand normally, and raise your heels. Stand on your toes for 30 to 60 seconds. Return to normal position and repeat this process.
• Pedalling: Bicycling can help in improvising the blood circulation and is a good way to treat varicose veins. But if you can’t go out for cycling you can do air cycling by lying on the ground with back to the ground. Place the hands besides your buttocks and lift the legs in the air and act as if you are pedalling a bicycle.
• Ankle rotation: it is a simple exercise that can be done at any time of the day. It helps in tightening the calf muscles and ankle muscles thereby improving the blood flow. To do this sit on a chair and raise the leg horizontally. Start rotating the ankle in clockwise at least for 20 minutes and then rotate it anti-clockwise for next 20 times. Repeat the process with other leg.
• Leg lifts: lay down flat on the ground and place your hands besides your buttocks. Slowly lift one leg and raise it. Let it be elevated for few seconds. Return the leg to its normal position and repeat it with other leg.
• Knee bends: This helps in strengthening the knee, thighs and calf muscles. Lay down on the floor and pull one knee closer to the chest. Hold the kneecap with your hand and apply little pressure to it. In the mean time flex your foot and move it. Slowly bring the leg to its normal position and repeat it with other leg.
• In some cases, electrotherapy can be used along with physical therapy where the electrical stimulus may help in relieving pain and improvising blood flow.

Precautions

• It is necessary to carry out exercises after consultation with the health expert.
• If you are having any other medical condition like diabetes, heart condition then consult the health expert and regularly monitor the sugar levels before and after the exercise.
• Do not do these exercises in excess and do not force yourself as it may be harmful.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Avoid exercises in pregnancy.

Generally, varicose vein treatment is effective but it is more likely to return in people who have long standing or sitting jobs, have poor lifestyle, are having more weight and have become pregnant after undergoing treatment.

Conclusion

Varicose vein is a common medical condition and thus you should not bother with it. There are numerous treatments that can help you to get rid of pain and discomfort like swelling. But physiotherapy can help you to prevent the condition to reappear again and provide relief from the discomfort by improvising the blood circulation in the affected areas. Consult your health expert before undergoing any physiotherapy treatment.