Varicose veins are bulging, enlarged veins that are easily visible under the skin. This is due to weak or damaged valves throughout the vein that help regulate the blood flow, causing blood to pool in one spot of the leg. This causes poor circulation, swelling, and aching.
Exercise can improve symptoms that varicose veins may cause, and here is why:
- Regular physical activity can increase strength within the leg and more effectively aids the vein in pushing blood back toward the heart.
- The calves work as a muscle pump and each time they contract they promote venous blood return.
- Regular physical activity builds strong muscles which increases muscle contractions in your legs and improves circulation.
- Exercise aids in maintaining a healthy weight, which removes pressure from the veins in your legs. Excess stress and pressure on leg veins intensify varicose veins and their symptoms.
- Physical activity also removes pressure from the legs by reducing swelling, which can also contribute to excess pressure on leg veins from the surrounding fluid.
Recommended exercises to consider for improving varicose vein symptoms:
- Walking: Walking is a form of low-impact exercise and increases muscle contractions in the legs, which improves circulation.
- Swimming: Swimming reduces the pressure on veins while increasing circulation throughout the body.
- Stretching: Stretching promotes blood flow and can be done periodically throughout the day to ensure the veins in the legs are moving blood properly.
- Flexes: Exercises such as calf raises, and flexing keep the muscles contracting to encourage circulation.
