A common myth about varicose veins is that running will worsen your symptoms, and this is simply not true. In addition to the many cardiovascular benefits of running, it is a safe, and advantageous activity for your venous health. It’s time to start running!
Running is an exercise that promotes healthy circulation in your lower extremities, which can help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with varicose veins. With this venous condition, your veins have trouble pumping blood back to the heart, and running promotes blood circulation back to the heart. While running is not a cause or a cure for venous disease, it can help to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with it. As long as the activity is not causing you any pain or discomfort, running is an amazing way to keep active and to relieve your legs from the stress of varicose veins. To ease the pressure applied to your legs when running, it is a good idea to wear compression socks. Compression stockings tend to help with most varicose vein symptoms and can aid with any discomfort or cramping you may feel when you are running. Some varicose vein symptoms that may be alleviated with the use of compression stockings are:
- Cramping
- Pain or discomfort
- Aching
- Heaviness
- Swelling
Other types of exercise to benefit your venous health
With varicose veins, it is vital to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle in order to alleviate symptoms. You should aim to keep a healthy diet, get proper exercise, and avoid smoking. There are many ways to get active that will be beneficial for your venous condition, apart from running, these include:
- Walking – Cycling
- Swimming
- Leg strength training (such as lunges)
- Heel and toe raises
- Yoga
Contact us!
At Canada Vein Clinics, we specialize in the treatment of varicose veins. We offer numerous treatments for this condition and help to find the best treatment for you. Book a consultation to find out more information! Give us a call today at 1-888-876-8346, or email us at askdoctor@canadaveinclinics.ca.
