Exercises for varicose veins

10 January 2021

One of the components of the treatment-and-prophylactic complex for varicose veins is gymnastics. It consists of simple basic exercises, the implementation of which helps to stabilize the functionality of the vascular system and improve overall health. Daily gymnastics for varicose veins of the legs is effective in any form of pathology and at any stage of treatment.

Basics of gymnastics for varicose veins

One of the provoking factors of varicose veins of the lower extremities is hypodynamics. Therefore, to prevent the disease or during its treatment, phlebologists prescribe special exercises for the lower extremities. Their type and intensity are chosen taking into account the clinical picture of the disease, the location of the affected veins, the severity and area of the lesion. The focus of the gymnastic complex and its duration are also taken into account.

Regardless of the type of leg exercises for varicose veins, its goals are:

Stimulates blood flow through the veins.
Normalize lymph flow.
Increase the tone of the muscle tissue of the lower extremities to improve their endurance.
Stabilization of arterial flow.
Restoration of venous tone.
Improving the activity of the peripheral circulation.

In case of venous insufficiency, the most effective gymnastic complex is the exercises with light load. This speed of execution allows you to control the pressure on the veins, ensures the elimination of stagnation in the vessels. As a result, pain and discomfort in the legs are eliminated spontaneously.

The most effective exercises that are allowed at each stage of varicose veins include walking in the fresh air and swimming. All permitted exercises developed by the therapist are performed in a horizontal or sitting position.

When composing a workout, it is important to know what exercises should not be done for varicose veins. It is strictly forbidden to perform a set of exercises, including:

squats.
Deadlift.
Attacks.
Lifting weights in an upright position.
Works.
Strength training.
Step lessons.
Dancing.

The choice of the right set of permitted exercises is made exclusively by a phlebologist or exercise therapy instructor.

Gymnastics for varicose veins is an affordable and simple method of treating the disease and its prevention. The complex does not require the presence of a specialist and professional equipment.

Exercise therapy for varicose veins

Conservative therapy of venous insufficiency is always supplemented by physiotherapy exercises. In this case, the gymnastic complex for varicose veins is chosen depending on the purpose of treatment:

Reducing the severity of symptoms in the early stages of varicose veins.
Pain relief.

physiotherapy exercises for varicose veins

Prevent the development of severe varicose veins, the treatment of which includes surgery.
Prevention of pathology in people at risk.

Each type of gymnastic complex is marked with characteristic exercises with the highest efficiency.

Exercise therapy to eliminate the signs of varicose veins in the first stage helps to stimulate the walls of blood vessels, increase their tone and improve blood flow. The most effective exercises for varicose veins of the lower extremities in the initial stage include:

The short morning run on soft surfaces at a slow pace.
Change the position of your legs as you walk all day. To do this, you need to periodically clap your legs, unfold socks, walk on your heels and toes.
Amplitude movements in the ankle and knee joints.
When sitting on a chair for a long time, you should roll alternately on the buttocks and not transfer one leg to the other.
Horizontal stretching exercises are performed daily in the evening.
Before going to bed, it is necessary to lift the lower limbs with a wall support.

The complex of exercise therapy in chronic varicose veins is not the main method of treatment, but its systematic application slows down the development of the disease and slows down the formation of venous nodules.

Rehabilitation therapists recommend adding to the exercises in the initial stage of varicose veins:

Exercise bike.
Alternate pressing your legs to your chest while lying down.
Flexion and extension of the fingers.
Walking on the spot without taking off your socks.
Vertical scissors.
Work your abdominal muscles.
Raising and lowering the seat with raised legs.
Vibration exercises.
Stretching the legs and arms.

For greater effectiveness and prevention of complications from varicose veins, the complex is recommended to be performed twice a day.

Every workout should start with a relaxing massage. The exercises are done slowly and smoothly, sharp movements are excluded. The duration of the complex is at least 15 minutes.

The last stage of each exercise therapy complex is to perform a contrast shower on the lower extremities with strong pressure. The duration of this manipulation is 10 minutes for each leg.

Preventive exercises for varicose veins of the legs

If you have increased swelling, frequent seizures and severe pain, you should immediately stop performing these exercises and return to preventive exercise therapy. This complex provides for the systematic implementation of the following exercises for varicose veins in the legs.

Sitting down:

Pulling the socks in different directions with minimum resistance and maximum amplitude.
Synchronous or alternate rotation of the foot axles.
Perform these exercises by grasping the inside of the foot, except for the muscle contraction of the leg.
Gradually stretch the muscles and ligaments of the foot by touching the thumb to the chest, nose and ear. If possible, place your foot on the back of your head.
Pull the knee joint at chest level. In this case, it is necessary to grasp the ankle joint with both hands. Without loosening the grip of the hands, try to perform the maximum extension of the knee joint without lifting the legs off the floor.

Knee starting position:

Open the knee joints shoulder-width apart and lower the gluteal muscles to the floor. Sit in this position for no more than 20 seconds. In the absence of pain and burning in the muscles, try to touch the floor with your shoulders. Finish the exercise by lifting your legs up and gently shaking your limbs.
Straighten the knee joint, try to make maximum progress with your foot. If possible, it is recommended to sit on a rope on each side.
Standing in an accent lying on your knees, pull your toe and rotate your legs back, alternating with amplitude movements to the side, while the foot should be bent. Alternation 15 times for each leg.

When choosing exercises for preventive exercise therapy for varicose veins, it is necessary to take into account the person's lifestyle. The complex, which is suitable for a person with daily high activity, will not bring any benefit to a person with a passive lifestyle.

Loading for varicose veins in a horizontal position:

Raises the leg, bent at the knee and straight up 10 times for each limb.
Alternate flexion and extension of the legs at the knee joint with a slight push forward and towards yourself.
Execution of longitudinal and transverse "scissors".
Lifting the pelvis and leaning on the shoulder blades, perform amplitude swings of longitudinal and transverse intersections.
From the birch position, throw your feet behind your head, touching the floor with your toes.

Systematic exercise will not only improve the health of the veins and the intensity of blood flow through them, but will also reduce the dystrophic changes in the soft tissues of the affected lower limb.

Vibration gymnastics for varicose veins

One of the effective therapeutic methods for venous insufficiency is vibrogymnastics. Helps to improve the condition of blood vessels and prolongs the period of remission of the disease. It is a gentle treatment and is recommended when rhythmic sports are prohibited.

It consists of two main complexes:

Breathing gymnastics.Performed immediately after waking up and before performing vibration exercises. Technique: straighten your fingers, push your chest forward, take a deep breath, while trying to lower the air as low as possible. When done correctly, the abdomen should swell slightly. Hold your breath for 3-5 seconds and exhale the air with sharp frequent cuts.
Vibration gymnastics.Starting position with legs straight, arms facing backwards on the body. Technique: raise your heels off the floor by 1 cm. When exhaling, we descend sharply to the floor. The exercise is repeated at least 60 times. Intensity 1 lift per second. Every 20 lifts there is a break of 10 seconds.

Vibration gymnastics brings a positive therapeutic result only at the beginning of the development of varicose veins and is a highly effective preventive measure.

Exercise stimulates blood flow to the heart, which flushes blood vessels. This process stimulates the restoration of elasticity and tone of the venous walls and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Achieving a positive result during a workout with varicose veins depends on the correctness and consistency of all elements. Therefore, the first classes should be conducted under the supervision of a doctor or instructor. It is also important to follow the technique of the exercises and the number of sets.