Exercises for Varicose Veins: What You Can and Cannot Do

Varicose veins are a common condition among men and women after the age of 30 and can also appear at earlier ages. If preventive measures are observed and exercises performed for varicose veins in the lower limbs, it is possible to stop the development of the pathology, cure weakened vessels and capillaries.

exercise for varicose veins

The Benefits of Exercise Therapy

A set of physical exercises for varicose veins helps to improve blood flow, increases the patient's physical resistance, strengthening the structure of blood vessels and damaged muscles.

If you don't neglect physical therapy (exercise therapy), it can significantly ease the course of the disease, alleviate swelling, and eliminate leg fatigue.

Recommended exercises

Varicose prevention and disease treatment exercises are performed to dilute the fluid inside the vessels, eliminate swelling of the veins under the skin and restore the skin's natural tone.

Allowed:

  • Strengthening of the leg muscles with involvement of the hip region;
  • Diaphragm charges to regulate blood flow and blood saturation with nutrients;
  • Hiking, riding an ergometric bicycle, with intense pedaling;
  • Swim in the pool.

Phlebologists advise regular exercise therapy twice a day for ten minutes. It is advisable to distribute the classes in several blocks - in the morning 5-7 minutes and the same amount before bedtime, giving preference to less intense loads on the body.

Doctors recommendations

Exercises for varicose veins in the legs are performed either with the help of a physiotherapist or independently. It is important to keep control of the exercise load, flexibility of movement, in order to avoid sudden swings, turns of the body.

Overwork can only harm the patient, complicating the course of the disease. The room should be spacious, ventilated, it is best to do exercises for varicose veins in your legs when you wake up. It is important not to forget compression socks and comfortable shoes.

wellness complex

Gymnastics for legs with varicose veins in the lower limbs consists of exercises:

  • To reduce leg fatigue at night - Lie down, raise your legs to an elevation, hold for about 5 minutes;
  • Connect your legs, straighten your arms, stand up carefully on your toes, stand for 2-3 seconds, go down;
  • Lie on the floor, lift your legs, rotate your feet, in and out.

Systematic charging will prevent disease progression, reduce the risk of one stage of varicose veins flowing to another, and eliminate complications.

wellness gym for leg varicose veins

gymnastics in the office

Exercises against varicose veins during work, sitting in a chair:

  • Raise the leg in a straight position, make a circular motion with each limb;
  • Raise foot, placing feet on tiptoe, 15 passes for each leg;
  • Stretch your toes up, place your heels on the floor, immobile;
  • Do rounds with your feet from heel to toe.

For sedentary work, it is recommended to take a break of 5 minutes every hour. At this point, it is useful to perform standing movements:

  • Legs together, rise sharply on tiptoes, lower legs;
  • Walking on heels, back straight;
  • Place your hands on an imaginary or real wall shoulder-width apart, bend your leg and transfer your weight to it, throw the other back and stand on your tiptoes; after 10 seconds, switch legs;
  • Alternately tear your heels off the floor, do the exercise regularly, several times in one approach, at least 20 times a day.

Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins in the legs provide a time to rest, so after 5 to 10 minutes of straining your limbs, you need to lie down relaxed to regulate blood circulation and restore breathing.

Attention! Exercise should not cause discomfort in the affected veins, burning, tingling, swelling or other complications of the varicose veins. It is important not to forget the drug treatment to get rid of the disease effectively.

varicose veins cause pain in the legs

Jumping Mikulin

In the fight against varicose veins, the vibratory gymnastics of the Mikulin Academic has shown itself well. A special exercise for legs with varicose veins only includes special jumps, the regular implementation of which will help to eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins.

  • After waking up, you need to stand up straight, stretch your arms at your sides, as you inhale, rise an inch on your tiptoes. As you exhale, abruptly lower your legs to the floor.
  • When kicking with the heels, the body will receive a slight jolt, the push will direct the blood through the vessels upwards, as a result, the vessels will be eliminated from the inside.
  • Mikulin's special jumps must be done at least 60 times a day; you cannot turn exercise into intense jumping. Movements should be smooth, precise, every 20 pushes - a 10-s pause.
  • These exercises are useful in combination with exercises for the small pelvic varicose veins, which often develop during secondary and subsequent pregnancy, with a heavy load on the pelvis.

    A set of exercises for the pelvic organs

    Physical therapy exercises help to strengthen the walls of venous vessels, improve blood flow. It is helpful to do the following exercises:

    • Bicycle - in an imitation of the inclined position of riding a bicycle on foot;
    • Scissors - alternate crossing of the legs;
    • Semi squat - not below knee level;
    • Buttocks compression is a Kegel exercise, shown for pregnant women for a painless delivery.

    After exercising with varicose veins, self-massage on the legs and thighs is helpful in stabilizing blood flow, eliminating harmful elements at the cellular level, and relieving fatigue.

    It is helpful to make light movements from the ankles to the knees, rubbing the lower legs in a circular motion. You can use a nourishing cream or natural or anti-varicose moisturizer, purchased at the pharmacy.

    At the end of the series of exercises, it is recommended to do a swallow - straighten your back, stand upright, arms relaxed and lowered along the body. On inhalation, arms up, on exhalation, swallowing.

    exercises for varicose veins

    During physiotherapy, it is necessary to drink a little liquid, just moisten the lips with water, so as not to cause swelling. Protein nutrition is useful, especially in the morning, before bedtime - cereals, fruit smoothies.

    Bubnovsky on varicose veins

    The technique does not provide for drug treatment. The doctor guarantees that with the regular performance of simple exercises, it is possible to improve the mobility of the joints, improve the elasticity of the muscle tissue.

    Gymnastics is performed in any position:

  • Sitting in a chair - raise both feet tensely on tiptoe, stretch your limbs forward and perform circular movements with your feet, popular movements from toes to heels and vice versa.
  • Lying on the bed - Lie on your stomach, bend your knees, tap your buttocks with your heels, then alternately lift your legs, holding until a slight feeling of fatigue.
  • Lying on the floor - a bicycle, a pair of scissors, take turns lifting your legs and shaking your feet hard.
  • Standing - stand on tiptoe and bend down sharply on your heels, spread your arms out to the sides. Do light squats.
  • Dr. Bubnovsky advises dividing the set of exercises into three parts - in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening, do it regularly, as a supplement you can use elements of yoga. The lotus position improves blood circulation and helps get rid of the orange peel.

    It is better to replace running with a brisk walk, swimming in the pool. Lower limb varicose vein exercises according to the Bubnovsky method are available to all patients, regardless of the stage of the varicose veins and the person's age.

    preventive exercise

    With varicose veins, easy walking, cycling about 10-20 minutes a day, contrast bath, pool exercises are helpful, which help to remove swelling and alleviate the patient's general condition.

    It is recommended that you get rid of the habit of throwing your legs up in a sitting position, interrupting blood circulation. It also pays to limit walking in high heels, reducing the load on weak blood vessels and capillaries.

    At night, it is recommended to make a bath for tired legs, with the addition of a decoction of medicinal plants herbs (chamomile, sage, eucalyptus), essential oils of citrus, juniper. When resting, you need to position yourself so that your heels are above the level of your buttocks.

    measures for the prevention of varicose veins

    In addition to exercise and drug therapy, it is important to monitor the diet, eat slowly, fractionally, without eating too much, especially before bedtime. It is important to avoid serious jumps in body weight.

    An important role in preventing varicose veins is played by everyday shoes, which must be of size, quality and comfortable. In the early stage of varicose veins, one should pay attention to compression stockings, choosing their size on the advice of a phlebologist.

    prohibitions

    What exercises for legs with varicose veins cannot be performed at home:

    • Jumping rope (intense load on the veins, an exercise can break a blood clot);
    • Load exercises (kettlebells, dumbbells, etc. );
    • Prolonged exercise on an ergometric bicycle (overload of the veins, dysfunction of blood flow);
    • Energy emissions (vascular tone);
    • Gymnastic stretching (swelling of veins, damage to weakened capillaries).
    • Intense running, for speed, long distances (load on legs)

    For patients with varicose veins, energy charges are excluded. A great alternative is a pool or step aerobics. The gym will be available after the complete elimination of the disease, as indicated by a phlebologist.

    Gymnastics for varicose veins in the lower extremities - how to improve the condition of the veins by performing simple exercises

    stationary bicycle for varicose veins

    Varicose veins are a very common pathology that significantly impairs the quality of human life. It is very difficult to fully recover from this disease, but to ease its course, it is worth taking special exercises.

    Varicose veins are called stable expansion and elongation of the veins, accompanied by the thinning of their walls and the formation of so-called nodules. The reason for this phenomenon is the serious pathology of the walls of the veins and the insufficiency of their valves.

    This disease is widespread and is much more common in women. Often, varicose veins begin at a productive age - around thirty to forty.

    The main risk factor for the development of this disease is the inactive lifestyle.

    The benefits of therapeutic exercises for varicose veins can hardly be overestimated. Special gymnastics allows you to:

    • improve venous and lymphatic flow;
    • increase physical endurance;
    • normalize arterial inflow;
    • increase vein tone;
    • improve peripheral circulation.

    If you neglect therapeutic exercises for varicose veins in your legs, it will cause blood stagnation in the affected vessels, and the pressure will increase.

    This in turn will lead to water accumulation in the ankle, foot and lower leg area, which often aggravates the pain.

    Characteristics of physical activity

    Especially the exercises for varicose veins are useful for people who move little in their daily lives.

    Walking is the simplest exercise and people with this condition should walk every day. It is also perfectly possible to ride a bicycle. Swimming is also very useful.

    aptitude for varicose veins

    Not everyone knows that not all physical activity is helpful for varicose veins. Which sport is good for varicose veins and which is bad? Surgery to remove varicose veins is often the only solution. We will tell you which type of surgical intervention to choose in a particular case.

    There is also a special therapeutic gymnastics for leg varicose veins. To perform these exercises as efficiently as possible, the following rules must be followed:

    • people who have a sedentary job should warm up for five minutes at least once an hour;
    • It is important to monitor your posture, it is not recommended to cross your legs;
    • charging should be done for 15 to 30 minutes per day;
    • throughout the day, you need to do several reps.

    A set of exercises

    Phlebologists recommend performing special exercises for varicose veins in the morning and evening, giving them about 15 to 30 minutes, while not exhausting yourself, as each person has their own limit of physical abilities.

    Continuous exercise for five minutes will suffice and taking breaks is recommended. If you feel tired, it's best to postpone the session.

    The main set of exercises for all types of ailments

    These exercises are suitable for varicose veins in the lower and upper extremities, varicose veins in the small pelvis and other types of illnesses:

    a set of exercises for varicose veins
  • Lie on your back, bend your leg pulling it against your chest. After that, straighten it, fix it for a few seconds and lower it. Do the same exercise for the other leg.
  • Lie down, bend your legs and get up. Straighten them, hold them for a second, bend them again and return to their original position.
  • Lie down, lift your legs and make rotational movements with your feet, this should be done inwards and outwards. Then you can bend and unfold your toes and toes.
  • Sit on a chair, rest your heels on the floor. Move your toes in different directions. Do it 15-20 times.
  • Lie on your stomach with your hands on your hips. Take turns lifting each leg as high as possible. At the highest point, take a few seconds and then return to the spot. Do 8 to 10 reps.
  • Do the "swallowing" exercise. Stand up straight, lower your arms at your sides. Inhale, raise your hands and stand on your tiptoes. As you exhale, do the swallowing pose. Repeat the exercise 15-20 times.
  • Roll from your heel to your toes, transferring your body weight to your heel. Do 15-20 reps.
  • For 15 minutes, walk on your heels and toes with a high hip lift.
  • leg exercises

    Gymnastics for varicose veins of the lower extremities includes the following exercises:

  • Relief of leg veins. You need to lie down, close your eyes and relax as much as possible while breathing deeply and evenly. Several pillows should be placed under your feet - this will allow them to be raised 15-20 degrees.
  • Lie down, bend your legs and place your feet on the floor. Place your hands on your hips. Inhale gradually, lift your head and body. Hands should slide to knees. After making a slow exhalation, return to the original position.
  • Lie down, curl your hands at your sides, lift your legs 15-20 degrees and hold a small pillow between them. Inhale slowly, bend your lower back and your buttocks need to be lifted off the floor. Breathing out slowly, return to original position.
  • Lie down and place your hands at your sides. Bend your legs and, exhaling gradually, contract your stomach. As you inhale, inflate your belly.
  • Bring your feet together, put your arms at your sides. Take a deep breath, slowly stand up on your toes, exhale and return to your original position.
  • gym ball exercises for varicose veins

    Regularly performing special exercises for the lower extremities will reduce the manifestations of venous insufficiency, halt the development of the disease, and reduce the risk of dangerous complications.

    To reduce the manifestations of varicose veins in the upper extremities, you should perform simple exercises:

  • Lie on your back, place a pillow under your neck. Raise your arms and legs perpendicular to your body, pull your feet toward you. Breathe evenly and deeply. After that, vibrate with your arms and legs for 3 minutes.
  • Cross your arms behind your head. Slowly turn your body in both directions. Do 20 reps.
  • Stretch your arms forward, clench your fists. Spread the palms of your hands, while spreading your fingers wide. Do 20 reps.
  • Squeeze left wrist with right palm. Raise the left hand as high as possible, while the right must be countered. Repeat 20 times. After that, raise your hands and hold them in this position for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise with the other hand.
  • Raise your arms above your head, close and open your fists. Do 80 reps. Lower your hands and do the same.
  • A set of exercises for the pelvic organs

    If varicose veins have touched the pelvic organs, it is recommended to perform the following exercises:

  • Exercise bike. " You should lie on your back and with your feet imitate cycling. In this case, your back and lower back should be pressed against the floor.
  • Exercise "scissors". Lie on your back, stretch your arms at your sides. Make cross movements in vertical and horizontal position.
  • Exercise "birch". Lie on your back, support yourself on your shoulder blades, lift your legs high and hold until you feel tired. If you like, you can complicate this exercise a bit by adding flexion and extension to the knees.
  • Half squat. Stand up straight, spread your legs 30-40 cm wide. Sit down slowly, without dropping below knee level. Literally for a second, you should remain in this position and then slowly return. Do 10-15 reps.
  • Sit on the floor, put your arms behind you and rest them on the floor, straighten your legs. Bend your right leg at the knee, place your foot close to your left knee. Raise and lower your left leg. Do 10-15 reps.
  • exercises for varicose veins of Organs pelvic organs

    Additional exercises

    To make the treatment of varicose veins as effective as possible, additional exercises can be performed throughout the day:

  • Stand up straight, put your feet straight. Stand on your toes and slowly lower yourself. Do 20-30 reps. Pull the socks apart, bring the heels together, and do 20 to 30 lifts again. The same procedure should be done with open heels and flat toes.
  • You need to walk in place without taking your socks off the floor.
  • Bring your legs together, stretch your arms at your sides. Breathing slowly, bring your shoulders back. As you exhale, you need to relax and lean your head forward.
  • The starting position is the same. Breathing, raise your arms and stand on tiptoe. After that, on exhaling, return to your original position.
  • Squeezing the buttocks is very effective. This exercise can be performed in any body position.
  • Exercises for the prevention of varicose veins

    To prevent the development of varicose veins, it is also necessary to perform special exercises:

  • Lie down, stretch your arms at your sides, place your legs straight on the chair. Bend your left and right foot alternately. Do 5 reps for each foot.
  • Lie down, stretch your arms at your sides. Lift your legs and spread them in different directions. In this case, you should pull your socks back and rotate your ankle joints right and left. Do 5-7 reps.
  • In the same position, bend your legs and rotate your knee joints. Do 5-8 times right and left.
  • Support yourself on your shoulder blades and lift your legs, as in the "birch" exercise. Spread your legs to the sides. Change the position of the legs on swings. Do 4-7 reps.
  • Jump on tiptoe 10-15 times, stand up and, after a few seconds, repeat the jumps.
  • Sport

    riding a bicycle with varicose veins

    But that doesn't mean that all sports for varicose veins are banned. For example, swimming is very useful, all exercises that can be done sitting or lying down are allowed.

    It is also perfectly possible to practice yoga or Pilates.

    Massage

    The benefits of massage for varicose veins are to stimulate blood circulation in the affected areas.

    It is recommended that this procedure be performed by an experienced technician.

    If you decide to do this yourself, remember that the touch should be as light and gentle as possible. Do not touch veins that protrude more than others - this can only make the problem worse.

    The diet of varicose veins consists of an adequate diet.

    The diet should contain foods that have a beneficial effect on the condition of the blood and blood vessels. Be sure to eat foods rich in vitamin C.

    In addition, seafood should certainly be present in the diet, as it prevents the stretching of blood vessel walls.

    No less useful are plant fibers, which guarantee the normal functioning of the intestine, which is very important for varicose veins.

    Vibration Exercises

    We drop our heels to the floor, spread our feet slightly, and relax. We started tapping our heels on the floor. You need to feel how your whole body vibrates. To do this, you need to relax so much that the vibration reaches your head. Feel your skin vibrate.

    Gently shake your legs one by one and lower us to the floor. We lie on our backs and stretch our arms with our legs up. We started to be actively cowardly with our members.

    • 'Shake' exercise
    • We try to imagine that we are shaking the drops of water off our brushes and feet.
    • We breathe naturally with our belly.

    These exercises help create additional vibration that causes the capillaries to contract and push blood more actively. Furthermore, these actions improve the flow of all fluids in the body. The moves are very simple and effective.

  • Start with 1 minute and gradually increase the time.
  • After the "shake", place your legs bent on the floor, place your palms on your stomach and relax.
  • breathing exercise
  • Feel your belly move as you breathe. On inhalation, the abdomen inflates, with exhalation we lower the walls of the abdomen. After a relaxing breathing exercise, we move to a sitting position.

    Relaxing massage

    We complete the complex with a light foot massage. We start with the feet, where it is necessary to massage each toe, the arch of the foot, as well as the heel.

    • Feet massage
    • Then, with light movements, move up from the foot.

    We try to perform this massage for 2 to 5 minutes. We iron the shin, then the thigh.

  • thigh massage
  • Having worked on one limb, we proceeded to massage the other leg.
  • By performing this set of exercises for varicose veins in your legs, you can preserve your youth, health and beauty. The main thing is to do this not once in a while, but regularly. And don't forget about other methods of treating varicose veins at home.

    Contraindications for physiotherapy exercises

    • With this disease, in no case should you strain your legs.
    • It is not recommended to practice professional sports that require static exercises or heavy loads of strength.
    • It is categorically impossible to lift weights.
    • In varicose veins, only light exercise is allowed, which does not cause excessive stress.

    Varicose veins are a very unpleasant disease that occurs quite often. To reduce its manifestations, special exercises are recommended.

    However, it is very important that the exercises are moderate and regular.

    Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins - the correct execution technique, the choice of a complex depending on the complexity and neglect of the disease.