It’s summer – we’re not surprised you’re looking for varicose veins pain relief. Have you ever noticed that just when the outdoor summer fun ramps up, so does the discomfort caused by your varicose veins?
You’re ready to go and hit the trails when all of a sudden, your legs are more achy and uncomfortable than usual, and you are reminded once again that you have varicose veins. The timing is not a coincidence. Studies show that not only does heat tend to cause veins to dilate, but it also makes it harder for the valves in your veins to do their jobs.
You don’t have to skip summer activities that you love. In this article, we will cover five pain relief methods that you can do at home to bring you varicose vein pain relief and offer up some in-office options for removal. Give these methods a try, and you’ll be back to the summer fun in no time.
Varicose Vein Pain
Before we get to the solution, let’s quickly talk about the problem. Varicose vein pain. If you’ve already got them, you’re already familiar with the discomfort that they can cause:
- Heavy, achy legs
- Throbbing and burning legs
- Muscle cramps
- Swollen calves and ankles
- Discomfort around the affected veins
Enough with the Pain— let’s get to the relief!
Varicose Veins Pain Relief
Varicose vein pain is no joke. While Varicose veins can’t be prevented, there are steps that you can take at home to slow their progression down and provide pain relief. Many of these steps will provide varicose vein pain relief within minutes, which will allow you to get back to your day quickly and pain-free.
1. Elevate your legs
If you are looking for immediate relief from the pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins, elevating your legs is the answer. The basic idea is to make sure that your feet and legs are above your heart for at least 15 minutes. You could achieve this by lying on the floor and placing your feet on a chair or a table. You could also lie on the floor with your legs stretched up the wall or lie down on your bed and stretch your legs out on three or four stacked pillows. Elevating your legs makes it easier for blood to flow back toward your heart and assists your venous valves in doing their work more effectively.
Elevating your legs not only relieves the pain associated with varicose veins, but it can also help reduce swelling.
2. Soak Your Legs in Cold Water
Nothing relieves the heaviness and discomfort you feel from varicose veins like a cold water soak at the end of the day. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to shrink, which is why cooling down the legs relieves varicose vein pain, reduces swelling, and alleviates leg cramps. If you can’t soak in cold water, a nice cool shower may do the trick. On the flip side, heat negatively affects veins. Spending time in hot baths, hot showers, or hot tubs can worsen the pain and increase cramping.
3. Stretch and Exercise Your Legs
Moving your calf muscles a few times a day can bring relief. It may sound counter-intuitive: If you are uncomfortable or your legs feel heavy, why would you want to exercise and get those muscles moving? Moving the calf muscles helps to keep the blood flowing in the right direction, back to your heart, instead of pooling up in your legs and feet. You can even do this one while standing or sitting at your desk by flexing your feet frequently. Changing positions every 30 minutes if you are sitting or standing for long periods can also provide relief. Move your body as much as possible. If you sit for most of the day, get up and take a quick walk around the office. If you stand most of the day, find time to take some sit-breaks.
4. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water or other hydrating beverages throughout the day. Staying properly hydrated supports healthy blood circulation, which is exactly what your body needs to keep varicose vein discomfort at a minimum.
5. Dress Wisely
Skip the high heels. According to the Mayo Clinic, wearing high heels can trigger varicose vein pain. Wearing low-heeled shoes will keep pain from triggering up, and they work your calf muscles, which will support your veins. Skip the tight clothing too as it can restrict blood flow—restricted blood flow results in pain, particularly in your legs and waist.
If the Pain Won’t Go Away
You may have tried some or all of these techniques, but aren’t getting the results that you want. Your varicose vein pain may have even worsened. If that’s the case, we’re here to help. Sometimes the only way to get varicose vein pain relief is to have the offending veins removed. We offer a variety of non-invasive treatments that can be used to remove varicose veins.
Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein (ELAS)
ELAS is a clinically proven, FDA approved technique that permanently eliminates varicose veins.
Benefits of ELAS
- No Surgery
- Remove Unsightly Veins
- Relief of Symptoms
- Treatment Addresses the Underlying Problem
- Minimally Invasive
- Performed Under Local Anesthetic
- Office Procedure
- Fast Recovery
- Prevents Progression of the Disease
- No Scarring
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a method of removing very twisted varicose veins on the surface of the legs.
Benefits of Ambulatory Phlebectomy
- Remove Unsightly Veins
- Relief of Symptoms
- Performed Under Local Anesthetic
- Excellent Long-Term Results
- No Scarring
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
This treatment is a non-surgical procedure where we inject a solution into the problem veins. The solution is often placed precisely at the root of the problem vein.
Benefits of Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
- Remove Unsightly Veins
- No Downtime
- Treatment Directed Specifically at the Problem
- Painless
- No Scarring
You Don’t Have to Suffer!
Schedule Your Vein Treatment Consultation Today!
Don’t let varicose veins be a summer bummer. Beautiful, healthy legs can be yours! For more information on varicose veins and their treatments, give Denver Vein Center a call at (303) 777-8346 today. Enjoy the care and lasting solutions you deserve!