If you have varicose veins, you have probably skipped out on your workouts in fear that they can worsen your already aching legs. You don’t have to give up exercising just because you have varicose veins. When done right, exercise can actually help the condition of your diseased vein.
Exercise improves the blood circulation in the body, which can help if you are already suffering from varicose veins. While any physical activity can be good for you, there are certain exercises that are better for your veins than others. Some of these include:
- Walking
Walking is highly recommended for people with varicose veins as it is a low impact exercise. It’s a simple movement of the legs (no jarring or compounding) that helps in strengthening the calf muscles. By strengthening your calf muscles, you are improving your blood circulation, which can be very good if you already have a compromised circulatory system.
Aim to do at least 30 minutes of walking. If you can slightly increase your speed that would be great as you’ll be burning more calories without straining your body too much.
- Biking or using an elliptical machine
Like walking, biking or using an elliptical machine is another great option if you have varicose veins. Both are low impact exercises that can strengthen your calf muscles.
- Leg exercises
There are leg exercises that you can do easily from home without any equipment. These include bicycle legs, side leg lifts, and calf raises. These exercises can improve blood circulation in the legs without causing too much strain on your body.
Precautions for other types of exercise:
You can basically do any type of exercise if you have varicose veins. However, if your varicose veins are causing too much discomfort, it’s better to be extra cautious in doing the following:
- Running
Running will boost a myriad of benefits. It helps you burn calories and improves your blood circulation. But the downside is, running can put too much strain on your legs, which can cause more harm than good if you have a serious case of varicose veins.
- Weightlifting
More people are getting into weightlifting as it is shown to help improve bone strength and prevent injury.
While you can also enjoy these benefits, lifting weights with a severe case of varicose veins can have major setbacks. It can worsen your varicose veins as it can put too much stress on your veins.
Exercise is a great way to stay fit and keep your blood pumping. But if you have a bad case of varicose veins or if you have just been treated, it’s important to slow down. If you’re unsure on what exercises would be better for your condition, it’s best to talk with your doctor.
Reference:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.veinclinics.com/blog/best-exercises-for-varicose-veins/amp/