Walking up steps helps stimulate blood circulation.
As varicose veins cannot be undone without medical intervention, prevention is as important as treatment. A little old-fashioned advice can help prevent varicose veins from getting any worse.
Those swollen, darkened veins in your legs can be traced to the faulty functioning of the veins’ valves, which causes blood to accumulate in the legs.
• Keep legs elevated as frequently as possible to encourage blood backed up in the veins to flow out.
• Stir together 1 cup (250 ml) warm water, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cream and 5 drops of lemon essential oil. Soak linen cloths with the mixture, wring them out slightly and apply to your calves.
• Massage your legs from bottom to top using a mixture of 5 drops each of cypress, lavender and juniper essential oils in 1/4 cup (50 ml) olive oil.
• Get a chair that fits your body. When you sit in a chair that is too deep for you, the edge of the seat presses into your legs, constricting blood flow.
• Go low. Low heel shoes require calves to do more work, greatly aiding circulation.
• Rub your legs twice a day with calendula salve.
• Researchers have found that supplements containing horse chestnut extract (available from a pharmacy or health food store) can combat leg pain and swelling as efficiently as compression stockings.
• Raise the foot of the bed or elevate your feet with a pillow to encourage blood flow.
Cold knee shower
one Direct a cold stream of water (with the shower head removed) along the outside of the right leg from the back of the foot to a hand’s width above the knee. Hold there for 10 seconds.
two Move the stream downward on the inside of your leg.
three Repeat the process with your left leg.
four Briefly rinse the soles of your feet.
five Dry off and put on warm woolen socks. Rest for 20 minutes.
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods.
• Don’t cross your legs. It can slow circulation to and from your lower legs.
• Wear support stockings prescribed by a doctor.
• Sit on a chair, stretch out your legs and repeatedly bend and stretch your feet to activate the pumps in the veins.
• Get moving. Activities such as hiking, swimming, cycling and cross-country skiing promote circulation and prevent blood from pooling.
• Climbing stairs is good training for calf muscles—avoid elevators and escalators.
• Lose weight. Carrying around extra pounds (kilos) puts additional stress on the circulatory system.