NO NEED TO BE SPIDEY

WRITER: LIZA WILLIAMS

Varicose veins are common and usually harmless, but they are unsightly. The dark, spidery patterns evident on thighs and calves can cause significant disfigurement as they spread and thicken through the years. Some cases are inherited, or come with pregnancy or menopause, but many cases are linked to poor circulation in legs and can be avoided or reduced with simple, costfree tactics.

NO. 1 Stand on tiptoe

When standing for a long time, give your legs a wiggle and shake whenever convenient. Rise up onto your toes and hold the position as long as you can, or go up and down on your feet a few times. This will stimulate blood flow to and from your legs, keeping veins healthy.

Gravity helps blood flow down, but hinders its upward journey, especially when you’re standing up. Circulation tends to slow down as a result, sometimes causing varicose veins to develop, but frequent wiggles and stretches will counteract this problem.

NO. 2 Sit, perch, or lean

Another tactic for protecting leg veins while standing for long periods is to perch or lean when possible. If you’re standing at a bus stop, lean against the post.

Take every opportunity to lift the weight off at least one leg, and remember to give it a little swing, too. If a seat becomes available, take it, and swing both legs.

Every time you ease the weight on your legs, you’ll be helping your circulation, and consequently, helping prevent unsightly damage to the veins.

NO. 3 Do regular exercise

Move around whenever you can through the day, whether doing organized exercise or just puttering about the house. If you’ve been sitting awhile, get up and wander about, preferably up and down stairs, or do a few jumps with a rope. The activity will get your heart pumping and the blood coursing through your veins, including those in your legs, giving them the oxygen and exercise they need to stay strong and intact.

NO. 4 Avoid kneeling and crossing legs

Varicose veins can develop when the delicate capillaries in your legs become squashed, causing the circulation around the area to be blocked or slowed. This can happen when you cross your legs or kneel on the floor, so take care how you sit, ensuring your legs are pressure-free.

NO. 5 Raise feet on cushions when resting

When relaxing, sit or lie with feet raised up on a footstool or cushions—the higher, the better. This arrangement will release your legs from the weight of your upper body, and also counteract the pull of gravity on your circulation, thus easing the flow two ways at once. If your legs are aching with fatigue, you’ll feel the relief right away.

Further measures

Smoking can also have a detrimental effect on circulation, and consequently, on varicose veins; so if you smoke, you may want to change your habits.

Obesity can also cause varicose veins. This happens as the pressure of weight on the legs squeezes the veins within, hampering circulation. Losing weight is not easy for most people, but keeping legs beautiful can be a strong incentive for the challenge.

If your thighs or calves are already blemished by varicose veins, easily conceal them with appropriate clothing while still showing off the shapeliness of your legs.

Alternatively, wear what you like and let these common markings show. Meanwhile, why not throw some fun into your minimizing measures, through new sports, dance routines, or crazy gymnastics. What better way to keep those veins healthy than to stand on your head?

If you have concerns, you may want to contact one of these local specialists.

VASCULAR VEIN CENTERS

910 Old Camp Rd Suite 162, The Villages, FL 32162 352.750.6191

CENTRAL FLORIDA VEIN AND VASCULAR CENTER

1503 Buenos Aires Blvd, The Villages, FL 32159 352.561.2800

PHYSICIANS VEIN CARE

607 Co Rd 466, Lady Lake, FL 32159 352.259.4117

VEIN CENTERS OF VILLAGES

12301 US-441, Belleview, FL 34420

352.245.5347

VASCULAR SPECIALISTS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

2080 Oakley Seaver Dr. #100 Clermont, FL 34711 352.241.7585

THE VEIN CENTER OF NORTH FLORIDA

1920 SW 20th PL suite #100, Ocala, FL 34471 352.237.1212

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