There is a lot of information about varicose veins. In the world, specialized clinics with a narrow profile began to open, whose operation is aimed at combating this pathology. It is not difficult to conclude that if special clinics have started to open for the treatment of varicose veins, it means that the problem has spread.
Let's try to find out what massage for varicose veins is and if it can be used to get rid of this condition.
Indications
What is the attitude of specialists towards massage in the presence of venous pathology? It should be noted that doctors react in moderation and with great caution. No massage can be used to combat varicose veins. And in some cases, massage is completely contraindicated.
Its use is highly recommended for prophylaxis. This is especially true for those who are at increased risk for varicose veins.
Reference!Massage for varicose veins can help the situation and can make it even worse. You can only entrust your feet to an experienced massage therapist, a professional in your field.
Types of massage for leg varicose veins
If varicose veins are diagnosed, massage is considered one of the most popular and well-known treatment methods. In practice, there are several types of massage, each designed to stimulate blood circulation in the legs. It is recommended to contact specialists trained in all the complexities of working with this disease.
The massage course allows you to:
- Deal with bloating, cramping and numbness.
- Relieve tension in your legs.
- Increase vascular tone.
- Normalize blood flow.
The most famous and effective types of massage will be described below. Thanks to them it is possible to normalize the blood flow in the lower extremities, reduce pain and also discomfort in the legs.
Canned
With this type of massage, the effect on the vessels is achieved by irritating the skin with a vacuum. Suction cup massage allows you to increase muscle tone, improve the elasticity of muscles, they begin to contract vigorously, as a result, blood circulation is normalized.
Massage helps to deal with pain, eliminate congestion and normalize metabolic processes in tissues. Small bleeding spots may appear on the skin - this is normal.
The duration of the treatment, as well as the application sites of the benches, are individually prescribed by the attending physician.
These banks can be installed in 2 ways:
- The skin is softened with the application of Vaseline or cream, pots with lit cotton are placed.
- They resort to using a vacuum device, consisting of a can and a balloon, which allows you to create a vacuum.
During the procedure, the patient may be lying down or sitting. Session duration is 10 to 15 minutes. When the cans are removed, the skin is lubricated with a nourishing cream and the patient is covered with a fleece blanket.
Important!This massage is prohibited for patients diagnosed with heart disease and hypertension.
self-massage
This type of massage is only allowed in the early stages of the illness. If the illness has already started, self-massage is strictly prohibited.
The massage technique is simple. You can do this at home or during breaks from work.
The patient sits on the sofa, with one leg resting on the floor and the other extended. The massage starts by stroking the thigh upwards, starting from the knee. Then you can start to wrinkle your skin. The surface of the thigh should be massaged and tightened with your fingers until the skin starts to redden and a pleasant heat appears. Then you should shake your leg a few times.
At work, at lunchtime, you can also pay attention to the lower leg and massage it for 5 minutes.
Whirlpool
The hydromassage is a massage of the legs not with bumps, but with gentle movements through jets of water at a pleasant temperature, which is provided under high pressure.
This type of massage can be performed with a special hydromassage (shower), or at home with a regular shower. Especially useful are contrasting water temperature procedures when hot jets are replaced by cold jets.
The purpose of the hydromassage for varicose veins is to obtain an even redness of the skin on the legs by rubbing the thighs and legs with high pressure jets of water.
Doctor
To prevent the development of the disease, as well as to effectively shorten the recovery period, the doctor may prescribe a manual medical massage. Before starting the session, you need to prepare for the procedure. To do this, the following recommendations will help you:
- before starting the massage, it is necessary to let the legs rest: lying down for 10 minutes, it is advisable to place the legs on a hill;
- it is better to have a massage in the morning, after physiotherapy. This will significantly improve the result;
- during treatment, the patient must be comfortable (should not be accompanied by unpleasant/painful sensations);
- if there are contraindications, the session must be cancelled.
The method of massage is chosen by the physician taking into account some factors: the degree of venous lesion, the location of the varicose veins, and only after the patient's diagnosis.
The following techniques are applicable to medical massage:
- continuous caress of the surrounding skin as well as flat nature;
- shake your legs and rub your muscles;
- slight tingling.
During the session, the patient is in a supine position, with the legs bent at the knees. He can also lie on his stomach with his legs extended. In the area where there are problems, severe tingling and patting the skin are not allowed.
Anti cellulite
When massage is seen as a method of fighting cellulite, it is difficult to single out any technique. For professionals in the medical field, courses are also given on anti-cellulite massage, honey, vacuum massage, percussion, in addition to lymphatic drainage techniques.
Anti-cellulite massage for varicose veins using force, pressure or blows is strictly prohibited. Doctors may authorize lymphatic drainage if done during complex treatment.
Lymphatic massage directly affects the affected area. Thanks to the procedure, it is possible to normalize blood circulation, stimulate the microcirculation of blood and lymph.
Reference!The lymphatic drainage procedure for varicose veins must be performed under the strict supervision of a physician: only he can correctly assess the load required in each case.
Honey massage for varicose veins is not recommended as it sometimes causes additional pain.
Guasha
Often in the fight against pathology, they turn to the proven methods of Tibetan medicine. An example is the "Guasha" procedure, which consists of massage with a specialized plate. This dish is made from buffalo horn or special stones, pre-soaked with a mixture of essential oils and certain herbs from Tibet.
Reference!"Guasha" literally means "scratching" the patient's body. During the session, the body relaxes, the pain of varicose vein manifestations decreases, toxins are effectively removed from the skin.
To get the maximum effect from the procedure, certain rules must be followed (eg don't swim for 1 to 3 days). After the session, traces remain on the skin, similar to those of a cupping massage.
LPG
To prevent the development of varicose veins, GLP therapy with a device can be used. Thanks to its use, you can achieve:
- Reducing the load on the veins.
- Improving tissue elasticity.
- Normalization of blood flow.
GLP massage has contraindications for varicose veins: this procedure cannot be prescribed in severe stages of the disease. Only the initial phase and the 2nd phase allow the use of this treatment method.
Contraindications for massage with varicose veins
Massage with this condition is not always acceptable. There are several contraindications for which scheduling sessions is unacceptable. Below are reasons to postpone a visit to a massage therapist:
- thrombophlebitis / thrombosis of the vessels in the legs;
- ARVI;
- increase in body temperature;
- inflammatory processes;
- infectious diseases.
You must clearly follow the doctor's recommendations and directions for using a specific type of massage.
At the first signs of the disease, or if you have an increased risk of developing varicose veins, it is recommended to massage for prevention. Local treatment allows, at an early stage, to face the disease completely and prevent the fact that varicose veins only have to be treated with the help of an operation.