Varicose veins are a disease, the success of treatment of which largely depends on the correct lifestyle and compliance with doctor’s recommendations. Contraindications for varicose veins are a necessary therapeutic measure that helps stop the development of a serious disease.
Varicose veins are a disease, the success of treatment of which largely depends on the correct lifestyle and compliance with doctor’s recommendations.
Varicose veins are a disease of blood vessels, the blockage of which interferes with blood flow. Due to venous stagnation, the speed of blood movement decreases. Cells suffer from hypoxia and lack of nutrients. The pressure on the veins and arteries changes, the vessels begin to deform. Swelling and a feeling of heaviness occur. At a late stage of the disease, with severe dilatation of the veins, the patient may experience a burning sensation and pain.
Phlebologists strongly recommend adhering to a few simple rules.
Taking into account contraindications and following the doctor’s recommendations allows not only to alleviate the patient’s condition, but also to slow down the development of the disease.
Physical activity is important for health, but if you have varicose veins of the lower extremities, you should be careful when choosing it. Intense exercise can lead to blood clots.
Doctors do not prohibit walking, breathing exercises, yoga and swimming.
The diet should be balanced, and the products should be natural and fresh. It is advisable to eat more foods containing bioflavonoids.
The following products are contraindicated, as they destroy the walls of blood vessels:
Varicose veins are a relative contraindication to drinking coffee. The amount of this drink should be limited to 2 cups per day.
Baths and saunas are a heavy burden on the body.
For those who have minor problems with the cardiovascular system, a bathhouse (without a steam room) and a sauna are allowed, but not more than once a month.
Phlebologists prohibit patients whose veins and arteries are already deformed from going to the bathhouse and sauna. This is a categorical contraindication.
If you have diseases of the veins and arteries and an increased risk of blood clots, you should not smoke or drink alcohol in excess. Violation of this contraindication leads to the formation of plaques, which further impede blood flow. Tobacco and alcohol quickly intensify symptoms, and patients begin to experience constant discomfort.
Tobacco and alcohol quickly intensify symptoms, and patients begin to experience constant discomfort.
Varicose veins have contraindications when choosing shoes. You should completely avoid tight shoes: they have a negative effect on blood flow to the legs, contribute to the development of their diseases and the appearance of venous networks.
High-heeled shoes are undesirable: they place the legs in an unnatural position, and this is harmful to the veins and arteries. To restore blood flow after wearing high-heeled shoes, you need to do relaxing exercises with your legs in the evening.
High-heeled shoes are undesirable: they place the legs in an unnatural position, and this is harmful to the veins and arteries.
This disease is not a contraindication for work. A passive lifestyle will not be beneficial. However, working conditions must be taken into account.
Contraindications would be professions that require spending a lot of time in the same position, for example, conductor, teacher, salesperson, hairdresser. When a person remains in a sitting or standing position for a long time, blood pressure increases in the extremities. Therefore, patients with leg diseases should refuse such work.
After a working day, doctors recommend massaging the lower limbs. All types of massage are allowed.
Complications most often occur when the patient does not take contraindications into account.
Patients who do not comply with prescribed treatment for varicose veins suffer from swelling. Late stages of the disease are accompanied by pain, cramps in the limbs and a local increase in temperature.
If a person constantly ignores contraindications, the walls of veins and arteries quickly deteriorate and thrombophlebitis develops. If a blood clot breaks off and travels to the heart or brain, it can be fatal.
If there is excessive stress on the vessels, internal or external venous bleeding may begin, which is life-threatening.
The manifestations of varicose veins worry many people, especially women, because in the summer season you really want to wear beautiful dresses without thinking about the veins appearing on your legs. Varicose veins occur for a variety of reasons - a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition, pregnancy and childbirth, excessive stress on the legs associated with the specifics of work.
Those who are susceptible to manifestations of varicose veins are concerned about constant pain in the legs, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue, and swelling. In addition to uncomfortable sensations, this disease causes a lot of distress visually - the pronounced vascular network on the legs does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
There is no point in saying once again that any manifestation of the disease should be a reason for a visit to the doctor. In the case of varicose veins, this recommendation is also the main one. Varicose veins can cause more serious diseases, the most dangerous of which is the formation of venous blood clots.
What should serve as a signal to consult a doctor and begin treatment for varicose veins:
Treatment of this disease should be carried out comprehensively; therapy usually includes a medication program, external agents that combat the external manifestations of the disease, as well as gymnastics that can be done at home. The treatment program will be drawn up by a doctor, and to successfully combat varicose veins, you must strictly follow all medical recommendations.
Physical exercises for varicose veins of the lower extremities should become an integral part of complex treatment. If a doctor recommends doing gymnastics in a group, an experienced trainer will definitely give advice on which exercises are contraindicated for varicose veins, and which, on the contrary, will bring the greatest benefit to the body.
A general recommendation for those who decide to fight the manifestations of the disease with the help of gymnastics is the rule: you should not load your legs with excessive activity during training, especially in the first weeks of training. You should avoid such types of exercise as aerobics, jumping rope, and intense running.
Physical activity for varicose veins must be calculated by a specialist so that gymnastics is beneficial, relieving the patient of venous stagnation of blood, pain and discomfort.
A set of exercises for varicose veins, which you can perform independently, includes the following techniques:
What exercises can you do on your own:
If you feel tired while performing the complex, it is better to take a five-minute break, then continue the gymnastics.
A doctor or trainer who conducts group training will explain what exercises should not be done if you have varicose veins in the legs.
A fitball (large rubber ball) is successfully used to perform exercises for varicose veins of the lower extremities. Here are a number of basic exercises that will bring undoubted benefits in the fight against the disease:
All of the above exercises should be repeated 10-15 times each; they should be performed at a slow pace; during gymnastics, you need to monitor your pulse, avoiding the heart beating too quickly. Before starting a workout and after completing it, it is recommended to place your feet on a raised surface, such as a thick cushion. This will help restore normal pressure in the blood vessels.
If signs of the disease have already appeared, you need to immediately take measures to treat varicose veins. For preventive purposes, the following measures can be taken to prevent the development of the disease:
For an integrated approach to the treatment of varicose veins, you need to follow a proper diet, get plenty of rest and sleep, and avoid excessive stress on your legs. Swimming has an excellent effect in fighting the disease. Walking in the fresh air at a relaxed pace should become regular for those who want to quickly and successfully win the fight against varicose veins.
Constant heaviness in the lower extremities, change in skin color on the legs, periodic itching, and swelling - all this indicates that you need to see a doctor. And the diagnosis will definitely be a death sentence - varicose veins. However, there is no need to be scared or panic; more than 80% of the world's population suffers from this disease.
Moreover, most of these people lead active lives. The main thing is to understand what is possible and what is not possible with varicose veins.
Many people often have questions, such as, “is walking good for varicose veins”?
Walking when making such a diagnosis is not only not prohibited by official medicine, it is even recommended by many doctors. Walking with varicose veins of the legs is the most optimal form of fitness. It strengthens the calf muscles of the limbs. Unlike running, walking does not put a lot of strain on the heart. Running is prohibited for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, including varicose veins.
It is known that moderate physical activity and sports exercises should be carried out under the coordinated supervision of a physician. They should not cause harm to health. Therefore, you cannot overdo it. Walking with varicose veins should not be long, strenuous, or over rough terrain. The body of a person suffering from varicose veins is not ready for such stress. After all, varicose veins usually occur in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and have weakened muscle tone. That is why you should begin strengthening them gradually, gently.
Race walking, recommended by physiotherapists, improves blood circulation, improves muscle tone and strengthens them. Movement is necessary for such an illness, but it must be done using special anti-varicose stockings, tights, and knee pads. They will help support weakened muscles, prevent swelling of blood vessels and prevent stagnation of venous blood.
We must remember that any physical activity for varicose veins, including walking, should not exceed 10 minutes in the first period. Otherwise, it will lead to fatigue and malaise. Only after some time, after consulting with a doctor, the load can be increased. Over time, it will be possible to walk up to 4 kilometers per day at a calm pace.
If it is not possible to walk in natural conditions, then fitness classes in the gym on a treadmill at a moderate pace are recommended. A sports doctor will ensure that you walk correctly in such conditions.
If varicose veins on your legs have already become clearly visible, this means that the disease has firmly taken hold of the varicose veins.
Varicose veins not only spoil the appearance of the legs, but are also a serious and insidious problem.
Varicose veins have been known since time immemorial. And if previously treatment was mainly carried out exclusively.
Unfortunately, nowadays such an insidious disease as varicose veins is very common in our country. If earlier it progressed in older people, now this disease is also observed in young people.
Varicose veins are a violation of blood flow caused by a decrease in the tone of the walls of venous vessels and disruption of the functioning of their valves.
Gradually, the vessels dilate more and more, the speed of blood flow decreases, which causes varicose veins.
Doctors often consider a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work to be one of the causes of varicose veins. Does additional physical activity help with varicose veins to increase vascular tone?
On the one hand, if we train more often, of course, the tone of the vessels will be better, but on the other hand, during training, especially strength training, the load on the vessels increases, and they expand even more.
What to do? Completely give up sports activities and avoid training for varicose veins? No, you just need to choose an exercise program that is compatible with this disease.
And also carefully monitor your condition and stop increasing the pace of physical activity if you notice the following signs:
Very often, doctors are categorically against training in the gym for varicose veins. This can be explained very simply: for almost everyone involved, after about 3-4 months a real addiction arises; people, without noticing it, begin to increase the pace and intensity of their loads.
And with varicose veins, an increase in load can be fraught with unpleasant consequences and complications. Therefore, only a properly selected training program can bring benefits and make friends with varicose veins and the gym.
The main recommendation is that all training for varicose veins should be carried out in special compression garments. In general, those people who suffer from varicose veins know how great compression hosiery can help get rid of constant aching pain in the legs.
Therefore, although it is not cheap, you should still buy it. Especially if you decide to do strength training.
Physical exercises for varicose veins of the lower extremities are recommended to be performed in a lying or sitting position; in this position, the pressure exerted on the lower extremities is reduced, and ideally they should be above the waist.
After each physical exercise performed for varicose veins of the legs, lie on your back with your legs raised up. This helps very well to reduce the outflow of blood, reduce the load on blood vessels and, as a result, avoid unpleasant pain syndrome - aching pain in the legs.
For upper body workouts, no additional recommendations are needed. You can also work with dumbbells and lift the barbell from a lying position.
A very useful exercise machine would be an exercise bike or a rowing machine; the load on your legs will be minimal. To strengthen the arm muscles, you can do extensions using dumbbells or a barbell, also in a lying position.
To train your shoulder muscles, it’s a good idea to do bench presses with a barbell or dumbbells in a sitting position, with your legs also placed on a special bench.
If you need to pump up the muscles of your legs and buttocks, then an exercise to flex and extend your legs while lying on a machine is perfect. It’s good to swing your legs by doing leg swings while lying on your side.
It is very good to visit the pool, where you can not only swim, but also do water aerobics.
What exercises should you not do if you have varicose veins in your legs?
These include: fast running, any jumping, lifting weights in a standing position, lifting weights, step aerobics, jumping rope.
How can you notice physical activity on the legs that is contraindicated for varicose veins? Is it possible to do squats with varicose veins?
Squats are a type of exercise that uses almost all muscle groups in the legs. Squatting helps to normalize and make your hips, legs and buttocks beautiful. During squats, blood circulation through the veins increases, fat is burned in problem areas and even cellulite is smoothed out.
Is it possible to squat with varicose veins?
This issue has become controversial among many phlebologists. Very often, doctors were opposed to squats for varicose veins, but as recent studies have shown, if a person performs this exercise without fanaticism and increasing unreasonable loads, then it is almost impossible to cause harm by squatting for varicose veins.
Therefore, you should not give up this useful exercise, you just need to do it correctly and not overwork yourself in training.
During squats, do not lift your heels off the floor so that the foot moves less. To reduce the load on your knees, do not bring them together and do not let them move apart.
You need to start the exercise with a small number of squats, gradually increasing the load. If you can easily and freely perform this exercise, then why not use it?
What exercises are contraindicated?
Barbell squats for varicose veins from a standing position, or squats with other loads, are considered exercises that are contraindicated and should be excluded from your program.
During their implementation, there is a strong load on the legs, so you can harm your health and aggravate the situation with varicose veins. In general, squatting with a barbell has many contraindications - these include radiculitis, scoliosis, hernia, displacement of spinal discs, diseases of the leg joints, and high blood pressure.
Experienced and competent trainers will easily find an alternative solution for you to replace this type of load.
You can work with a barbell for varicose veins in a lying position; in this case, your legs should be on a special bench. This exercise trains the back muscles well.
Always replenish your water balance during exercise. This should be done with plain drinking water. Green tea, coffee and carbonated drinks will not help here.
After completing the mandatory program, you need to lie on your back, raise your legs up and lie there for 10-15 minutes. After this, you will immediately feel lightness in your legs.
Take a cool shower - this is a good prevention of varicose veins. After showering, apply healing gel and massage your feet a little.
As we can see, the presence of a disease such as varicose veins will not at all be a prohibition in order to completely stop exercising in the gym. Quite the contrary - after all, an active lifestyle and movement are the main enemies of many diseases and varicose veins are no exception.
It has long been proven that proper exercise for varicose veins can normalize blood flow and improve the condition of not only blood vessels, but the entire body as a whole.
You may not be able to perform some prohibited exercises, but with the right choice of physical activity and a properly designed exercise program, you can always remain in excellent physical shape and enjoy the visible results.
Consult your doctor in a timely manner, do daily exercises, go to the gym, swim in the pool, lead a healthy lifestyle and do not think about varicose veins.