Can you do fitness with varicose veins? If you choose the right type and amount of physical activity, then training will not harm your health and will not cause complications. In addition, with the help of fitness, you can improve your well-being and stop the progression of the disease.
When diagnosing varicose veins, you need to exercise in compression underwear that fixes and supports problematic vessels. The attending physician should be informed about the upcoming physical activity, and it is desirable to work in the gym under the guidance of a professional instructor. If you correctly approach the organization of training, you can engage in fitness without fear of aggravating the disease.
Symptoms and causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a common condition. About a third of the population over the age of 25 is affected. In people with varicose veins, the venous vessels lose their elasticity, increase in size, change shape and bend. Deformed veins are mainly located on the calves and on 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 completely protect yourself from the appearance of varicose veins.
Should I go to the gym if varicose veins still cannot be avoided? In fact, physical activity is a good prevention of the 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 extra pounds, straighten the back and improve blood circulation in the lower extremities.
Training of venous vessels: a set of exercises
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics for varicose veins includes two exercises familiar to adherents of a healthy lifestyle - "scissors" and "bicycle". They are performed in the supine position. Depicting scissors, raise both legs and cross them in either a horizontal or vertical plane. The legs are kept straight, the arms are placed on the body, and the breath is not held. To simulate cycling, arms are placed behind head, legs are bent and raised. They make rotating movements with their feet that are reminiscent of pedaling a bicycle. As you work, your lower back should not lift off the floor. "Scissors" and "bicycle" well stimulate the flow of venous blood and lymph in 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 drawn to the chest, with the palms firmly clasping the foot. Then slowly straighten the leg up while sliding along the calf to the knee joint with your hands firmly pressed. Nevertheless, slowly lower the leg down and run the palms along the thigh.
Well stimulates venous blood flow vibrogymnastics. In a standing position, they stand on their toes and lift their heels off the floor quite a bit (about an inch). Then the heels are lowered sharply and hit the floor surface. Do 20-30 reps, rest no more than 10 seconds, and perform a different approach.
Stages of varicose veins and acceptable types of physical activity
At different stages of varicose veins, strictly defined types of physical activity are allowed. The development of varicose veins begins with the appearance of the first nodular venous vessels visible through the skin. At this stage it is allowed to operate strength simulators with minimization of the load on the legs. It is necessary to do a good warm-up and stretching. Cardio on the treadmill is not recommended.
At the next stage, the tortuous veins become larger, the legs noticeably swell in the evening, heaviness and aching pain are felt in them. Patients with similar symptoms should forget about aerobic exercise with impact loads on the legs (jogging, stepping, jumping). It is recommended to engage in water sports that stimulate blood flow through the vessels of the limbs, but do not overload it. Useful fitness areas where inversions (yoga, pilates) are practiced.
The third stage is characterized by severe swelling and darkening of the skin. To increase blood circulation in the legs, you can swim and walk in warm water, but the exercise should not be tiring.