Varicose Veins and Exercise: How to Make Peace

 Vein Treatment Pittsburgh PAIn the realm of health and wellness, we are told that exercise plays a pivotal role in how we feel on a daily basis. If you have varicose veins, the very idea of getting up and hitting the pavement – or the mat, or the pedals – may be anything but motivating. The primary obstacle presented by varicose veins include fatigue, a “heavy” sensation, cramping, burning, and aching. Of course, these symptoms stand between you and the exercise that is crucial for the optimal quality of life.

How to Find Balance

People who have consulted with their physician (or Google, for that matter) about varicose veins are aware that they need to exercise. Getting up and active is one of the first recommendations that is doled out for venous insufficiency. The question is, how do you do that? This is what we want to discuss here.

Nothing Wrong with a Little Ease

The fitness craze that has been ongoing for more than a decade has led to more than a few interesting mindsets. Overall, there is very little appreciation for ease. For most people, exercise and ease are not compatible concepts at all. We live in a day and age where the general message is more like “Go hard or go home.” This doesn’t work for the person with venous insufficiency. What does is ease, but ease doesn’t equate to a sedentary lifestyle.

  • If you like to run, consider shorter, slower sessions.
  • Wear compression stockings for more strenuous activities like running or jogging.
  • Don’t judge a 30 to 60-minute walk as “not good enough.” This activity promotes circulation, and it does burn calories – about 250 per hour if you’re taking your sweet time.
  • Bike and swim several times a week, or trade your offroad run for the elliptical machine at the gym. It’s a whole lot nicer to your legs.
  • Strength training can be beneficial, but should not include heavy lifting. There are even certain yoga poses that may not be advantageous for varicose veins.

Venous insufficiency does not have to stand in the way of optimal health and wellness. Addressing varicose veins now can put new life into your future exercise and, thus, long-term vein health. Call 412-741-0480 to schedule a visit with the team at Vena Health and Wellness. We proudly serve areas in and around Beaver, Sewickley, Wexford, and Grove City.

Posted in: Varicose Veins, Vein Treatments

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