Health Conditions

Can varicose veins disappear with exercise?

Our common question: Can varicose veins disappear with exercise? Ans: Yeah.

The circulatory system could be affected over the years, especially if people do not eat healthily and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

For this reason, it is common for older people, especially women, to begin to suffer from varicose veins in their feet or legs after years of personal neglect or inattention. Varicose veins are generated when the veins dilate and make blood circulation difficult. Its most common symptoms are swelling of the legs or feet, as well as a general feeling of heaviness in them.

If you want to avoid circulatory problems, such as unsightly and annoying varicose veins in your lower extremities, you should make sure to take care of your diet, and of course, to exercise regularly.

Below, we will share with you some important exercises that you can do from the comfort of your home to prevent the formation of varicose veins.

The best prevention to can varicose veins disappear with exercise

Foot movement can varicose veins disappear with exercise:

  • Sit comfortably in a chair
  • Spread and bring your toes together
  • Do these movements at least 20 times.

Leg separation exercise:

  • Lie down on the floor, preferably on a mat or rug.
  • Stretch and lift your legs. Then separate them and put them back together.
  • Repeat these movements 10 to 15 times.

Leg pedaling movement:

  • Lie down on a rug or mat.
  • Simulate the pedaling movement vigorously – as if you were pedaling a bicycle.
  • Complete one set with 10 to 15 repetitions.

Push-ups of the feet:

  • Sit in a strong, sturdy chair.
  • Place your heels on the floor and lift your toes.
  • Then lower your toes and elevate your heels.
  • Repeat these movements 20 times with both feet.

Toe curls:

  • Lie on the floor, either on a rug or on a yoga mat.
  • Straighten your legs and then flex and extend your toes, alternating these movements from one leg to the other.
  • Repeat these movements 20 times.

Go upstairs:

  • Don’t worry if you don’t have stairs at home. This is one of those exercises that you can complete after doing small improvisations with everyday objects.
  • Place books on the floor, or any other stable element that acts as a step.
  • Raise one leg 15 times, letting the other leg swing in the air.
  • Then go down and up the step 10 more times.
  • Repeat both movements with the other leg.

Leg twists:

  • Lie on the floor on a rug.
  • Straighten one leg and lift it. Then makes turns herself in a clockwise direction.
  • Do the same with your other leg.
  • Return to the first leg and do counterclockwise twists.
  • Repeat the previous step with the other leg.
  • Complete 15 or 20 turns – each direction – with each leg.

By performing this series of exercises you will prevent the formation of varicose veins and relieve any ailments or heaviness that you may be experiencing in your legs.

Just make sure you do them correctly and regularly so you can notice real changes in your lower extremities and improve your venous return in the long term.

Read more: With and without medical treatment for varicose veins

Recommended Can varicose veins disappear with exercise

Varicose veins can be affected by exercises and sports that involve standing for long periods of time, in forced postures, or that present a risk of injury. Therefore, the most recommended sports will be those with a low risk of impact and/or that require changes in position, leg movement, and/or a posture with elevated legs.

Furthermore, exercises that involve movement of the ankle and calves directly promote venous return. Therefore, the following sports can provide benefits to people with varicose veins in the legs.

Exercising with varicose veins

Swimming:

Swimming is a complete aerobic sport that offers great benefits for the health of muscles and the skeleton, it can varicose veins disappear with exercise. In the case of people with varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, swimming allows them to exercise their legs in a position that is beneficial for circulation, also promoting flexion and rotation movements in the leg and hip joints.

Can varicose veins disappear with exercise in yoga

Yoga is a discipline that works on strength, posture, and elasticity in an integrated way. Since different positions are practiced during the sessions and the muscle groups of the legs are exercised, the practice of yoga is appropriate and can be beneficial for people with circulation problems and varicose veins.

Of course, yoga modalities that are practiced in heated rooms, such as Bikram Yoga, are not recommended for people with circulation problems and can even worsen the symptoms of varicose veins.

Walking or running:

Walking is the most commonly recommended exercise and is generally appropriate for all circumstances. In the case of people with varicose veins, it is advisable to walk at least 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace.

Running, on the other hand, is an exercise that involves impact, and may not be suitable for everyone, especially if they suffer from leg swelling, varicose veins, or other pathologies. If you are considering running as part of your exercise routine, consult your doctor first.

Cycling/spinning:

Cycling is a low-impact sport that allows you to exercise your legs and ankles dynamically and with the possibility of enjoying it outdoors. However, you can benefit from this exercise in many other ways, from guided spin classes to using recumbent exercise bikes, which may be more suitable for people who cannot use a classic saddle, such as pregnant women.

But avoid for can varicose veins disappear with exercise

Previously we have indicated the sports that can provide benefits to people with varicose veins. Next, we will see some of the characteristics that we should avoid when doing physical exercise if you have varicose veins.

Physical contact sports:

Contact sports are those in which two opponents physically confront each other, such as martial arts, boxing, and the like. These are sports in which there is a continuous risk of receiving blows, so they are not recommended in case of suffering from varicose veins, especially if they are at risk of bleeding.

Rough sports with continuous jumps:

Impact sports pose certain physical risks to joints, ligaments, and muscles. People with circulation problems or varicose veins can also suffer injuries from this cause since the venous valves can be injured by repeatedly impacting the feet on the hard surface of the floor.

Strength exercises:

Although strength exercises may be indicated in many cases, lifting weights occasionally increases blood pressure, which can overload venous circulation. If you suffer from varicose veins, consult your doctor before doing strength or weight-lifting routines.

Sports in forced positions:

Sports that are performed in forced positions that remain static for a long time, especially if the legs do not move, can hinder venous circulation, favoring leg swelling and the appearance of varicose veins. Some examples of these sports are horse riding, skiing, or canoeing.

What are the best exercises for varicose veins?

It is very important to use a few minutes a day to do the following exercises (do 15-20 repetitions for each one):

  • Sitting in a chair and with your heels resting on the floor, do abduction-adduction of your feet.
  • Walking on tiptoe.
  • Walk on heels
  • Lying on the floor, raise your straight legs and raise one and lower the other to separate them. Then return both to the same position and repeat the movement in the opposite direction.
  • Lying on the floor making pedaling movement
  • Once lying down, raise one leg as straight as possible and turn it in one direction, raise the other leg, and do the same movement. Raise the first leg again and do the turn in the opposite direction. And then do the same with the other member.
  • Do flexion-extension of the toes.

The patient must be aware of the importance of following these recommendations on a daily basis.

The rest of the therapeutic actions such as the use of compression stockings, the administration of venotonic active ingredients ( red vine, horse chestnut,…), both orally and topically, and even surgical treatment when appropriate, do not avoid the need to maintain these habits and therefore controlling the risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency. Can varicose veins go away with exercise?

Read more: varicose veins behind knee treatment and more

Best exercises that improve circulation in the legs

1. Exercises to perform sitting

Separate and bring the tips of the feet together

Rock your feet gently from toes to heels

Raise your heels, resting on the balls of your feet.

Massage from foot to knee

2. Exercises to do standing

With your back straight, stand on your toes and lower yourself slowly. Repeat several times

Walk on your heels for a few minutes

Walk for a few minutes on the balls of your feet

3. Exercises to perform lying down

Pedal face up in the air, move your legs but keep your lower back in contact with the ground

Stretch both legs on the floor. Bring one of them up to your chest with your knee bent. Hold up to 30 seconds. Repeat the same with the other leg.

Legs stretched and raised. Alternately flex and extend your toes. Repeat 20 times.

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