Is It Possible To Exercise With Varicose Veins? If you choose the right type and amount of physical activity, training will not harm your health and will not cause complications. Moreover, with the help of fitness, you can improve your well-being and stop the progression of the disease.
With a diagnosis of varicose veins, you will need to train with compression underwear, which regulate and support problematic vessels. The attending physician should be informed of future physical activity and it is desirable to work out in the gym under the guidance of a professional instructor. If you approach the organization of exercise properly, then you can do fitness without fear of worsening the disease.
Symptoms and causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a common disease. It affects about a third of the population over the age of 25. In people with varicose veins, the venous vessels lose their elasticity, increase in size, change shape, and bend. Deformed veins are located mainly in the calves and at the back of the knee joint. Experts say that heredity plays an important role in the development of the disease and it is almost impossible to fully protect yourself from the appearance of varicose veins.
Should I go for fitness if varicose veins still can not be avoided? In fact, physical activity is a good prevention of disease. With their help, you can delay and slow down its development. Prerequisites for the appearance of varicose veins are obesity, poor posture and sedentary work, while fitness helps burn excess pounds, straighten the back and improve blood circulation in the lower extremities.
Venous vessel training: a set of exercises
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics against varicose veins includes two exercises that are familiar to fans of a healthy lifestyle - "scissors" and "bicycle". They are performed in the supine position. Outlining the scissors, lift both legs and cross them in a horizontal or vertical plane. At the same time, the legs are held straight, the arms are placed along the body, the breath is not held. To simulate cycling, the arms are placed behind the head, the legs are bent and raised. They make rotational movements with their feet, reminiscent of pedaling a bicycle. During work, the lower back should not protrude from the floor. "Scissors" and "bicycles" well stimulate venous blood and lymph flow to the lower body.
The next exercise is also performed lying on the floor, but here you need a pillow - the legs are placed on it at an angle of about 20 degrees. One leg is bent at the knee and pulled to the chest, tightening the leg firmly with the palms. Then slowly straighten your leg upwards, sliding your firmly pressed hands along the calf to the knee joint. Same thing, slowly lower your leg down, bringing your palms along your thighs.
Good stimulates venous blood flow vibrogymnastics. In a standing position, they rise above their toes, raising their heels off the floor enough (about an inch). Then the heels lower sharply, hitting them on the floor surface. Do 20 to 30 reps, pause for no more than 10 seconds, and perform another approach.
Stages of varicose veins and acceptable types of physical activity
At different stages of varicose veins, certain types of physical activity are permissible. The development of varicose veins begins with the appearance of the first visible nodular venous vessels through the skin. At this stage, inclusion in power simulators is allowed with minimizing standing load. It is necessary to carry out a good warm-up and stretching. Cardio on a treadmill is not recommended.
In the next stage, the winding veins become larger, the legs swell visibly in the evening, in them they feel aggravation and painful pain. Patients with similar symptoms should forget about aerobic exercise with a shock load on the leg (running, stepping, jumping). It is recommended to engage in water sports that stimulate blood flow through the vessels of the limbs, but do not overload them. Useful fitness areas where inverted postures are practiced (yoga, Pilates).
The third stage is characterized by severe swelling and darkening of the skin. To increase blood circulation in the legs, you can swim in warm water and take walks, but exercise should not be tiring.