You may wonder, is running good for varicose veins? It’s no secret that spider veins and varicose veins are unsightly causes of insecurities, but most people are surprised to learn spider veins cause pain and swelling that impacts a person’s day-to-day life. Movement can become impacted along with the threat of more serious complications. Patients who suffer from spider and varicose veins struggle to find the right solution for their vein health. Oftentimes, running is bolstered as possible prevention, but can we rely on a routine workout once spider veins and varicose veins are already visible?
What Do Spider and Varicose Veins Mean for Your Health?
Developing varicose veins and spider veins can leave you full of unknowns. These existing varicose veins and spider veins cause many issues. These issues are not only displeasing to the person afflicted but often are indicative of a larger problem. Spider veins can be an early sign of venous reflux and a frequent indicator of venous disease. Characterized as the leg vein valves’ improper functioning, venous reflux disease, also commonly known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can cause potentially major complications if left untreated. Beyond the pain and swelling commonly experienced by patients with spider and varicose veins, venous disease can lead to worse symptoms such as a burning itch surrounding the affected area or venous leg ulcers. Making sure to treat varicose and spider veins while symptoms are still mild can save you from a world of discomfort.
Spider and Varicose Vein Prevention
Running is a well-known preventative method if you don’t want to develop spider veins and varicose veins. This is because it builds up overall vein and leg functions. Exercises focused on circulation work to prevent venous insufficiency and strengthen your blood flow. Some examples of these include but are not limited to swimming, biking, or walking. The key to prevention is keeping your legs in motion, so staying active is imperative. If your job requires you to sit for hours on end, taking small breaks to move around is beneficial and wearing compression socks. Patients hoping to prevent venous insufficiency can also lay on the floor with elevated legs pedaling in the air to keep blood circulating through the leg veins. If your family has a history of spider or varicose veins, or you are concerned for other reasons about developing spider or varicose veins, make sure to stay active. To monitor your vascular health, regular appointments with a vein specialist are critical.
Running with Venous Insufficiency
Although routine exercise may prevent spider and varicose veins from occurring in the first place, they offer little chance of eliminating pre-existing spider veins. If you already have spider or varicose veins, running will not eliminate their appearance, and could actually aggravate your symptoms. Hard pavement can worsen swelling and cause too much strain on the legs. However, milder exercises can help alleviate some of the symptoms of venous insufficiency, though they won’t change its appearance. Swimming relieves pressure on the joints and veins, improving circulation. It is important that patients with spider veins or varicose veins pay attention to their symptoms and switch to a lower-impact exercise routine if they notice symptoms worsening.
Getting Rid of Spider Veins and Varicose Veins for Good
Home remedies and exercise will not be enough for those seeking to eliminate their spider veins or varicose veins. If you seek treatment for spider veins, Wisconsin Vein Center and MediSpa can help. One of our skilled providers will consult with you to find the ideal treatment for your individual case. Wisconsin Vein Center and MediSpa specialize in vein treatments and will help you create a plan to prevent spider or varicose veins from returning. Schedule a consultation today to find a true remedy to your leg discomfort.
Dr. Deborah Manjoney is a board-certified surgeon and physician with extensive training, including cardiothoracic surgery. She founded the Wisconsin Vein Center & MediSpa in 2002, where she specializes in vein treatments and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Dr. Manjoney is nationally recognized, having spoken at conferences, received awards, and contributed to medical publications.