Varicose Veins are a common problem in the U.S. affecting nearly 20% of the population as of 2022. With such a rise, we need to look at what causes it, and what we need to do to help.
First of all, your blood vessels are like a rubber band or an elastic band. After a time, they can lose their integrity, or their resilience, becoming like a band that has lost its elasticity. It can also be likened to an old road with bumps and potholes that affect the smooth flow of traffic (or blood). Blood vessels, or the valves in the blood vessels, get weakened, and blood pools or collects in the enlarged areas that have lost their elasticity. Other than age, genetics and gender, there are several factors that increase the risk of varicosities: pregnancy and obesity (increased pressure on veins in legs), lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle that diminishes good blood flow, health-related conditions – heart or liver disease, hormonal conditions, hormone medications (HRT or birth control pills), previous trauma or injury, poor diet, tight clothing, standing for long periods, smoking and dehydration.
Resolving these issues as much as possible is key to preventing, and keeping varicosities from progressing to where they are so painful that it necessitates surgery or invasive procedures to control.
Diet is really important. Avoiding inflammatory foods such as processed foods, alcohol, coffee, sugar, etc. is helpful. Eating more foods high in antioxidants or anti-inflammatory nutrients such as berries, ginger, garlic, turmeric, fatty fish, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, pomegranate, citrus fruits, and avocado can be very beneficial.
Acupuncture can be quite helpful in several ways: it reduces inflammation, increases blood circulation, improves healing of tissues, supports the immune system, relieves pain, strengthens vascular walls, relaxes tight muscles, improves the flow of lymph, which reduces swelling, reduces stress, helps normalize blood pressure, balances hormones, improves overall health and improves digestion to relieve constipation and insure nutrients are digested and absorbed better, which is a necessary part of healing any tissue.
One of the best things about acupuncture is that it is customized to your body, to the issues you have. As an acupuncturist, we are assessing everything going on in your body at the same time, treating YOU instead of chasing symptoms. In this approach, we help restore your energy or resolve your pain or other health condition so that you can eat better and exercise more. By treating your specific health challenges, not only do we help your varicosities, but also just help you feel so much better!
Other modalities that can help include massage, compression stockings (help keep vessels tighter), yoga and meditation to reduce stress, hydrotherapy, essential oils, chiropractic, localized compresses and other good health practices.
If your vessels are losing their resilience and you are seeking relief, we can help!
©2023 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
