Varicose veins require complex treatment, which includes drug therapy and the use of conservative and surgical methods. One of the ways to relieve the symptoms of the disease is massage for varicose veins.
There are many techniques available to improve vein health and reduce congestion. However, experts do not recommend using them without consulting your doctor, as an incorrectly chosen massage for varicose veins can aggravate the symptoms and lead to serious complications.
Is it possible to massage varicose veins?
Violation of venous circulation in the lower extremities is caused by the weakness of the veins, but the primary source of the disease is often insufficient muscle tension. Therefore, doctors consider varicose veins massage as a fairly effective method of preventing and treating the disease.A course of 10-12 sessions is required for a noticeable improvement in the condition of blood vessels and reduction of symptoms.
The main function of varicose veins is to reduce the load on the walls of blood vessels and increase their tone. In addition to drugs, this can be done using conservative methods. Even a classic relaxing massage for varicose veins can significantly improve the patient's condition.
With the right technique you can:
- improve the general condition of blood vessels by increasing venous wall;
- increases venous blood flow and reduces the strain on the veins by increasing muscle tone
- to reduce soft tissue congestion by increasing microcirculation;
- relieves swelling by increasing lymph outflow.
By official standards, only certain types of massage can be performed for varicose veins. In addition, it is necessary to focus on the patient's current condition, the stage of the disease and associated complications when choosing them.
Unfortunately, such factors are often overlooked and many women do not think about the consequences of the procedures. They do not consult a doctor about whether it is possible to do anti-cellulite massage with varicose veins, but are dependent on the choice of an employee in the massage parlor.
Even a certified specialist cannot assess all the risks in patients with varicose veins. At best, he will ask for a certificate from a doctor before the first session, at worst, he will ignore the presence of varicose veins.
Phlebologists say that foot massage with varicose veins should be performed with extreme caution, especially if the disease progresses.
It is believed that improper physical exposure to soft tissues and blood vessels can cause complications:
- further stretching of the veins with the formation of large "pockets" where blood clots can form;
- rupture of the vessel wall with subsequent bleeding;
- inflammation of the vessel wall;
- detachment of a thrombus that can flow along the venous network to the internal organs.
Before deciding whether it is possible to massage varicose veins, the patient should undergo an initial examination under which conditions may be found to prevent the use of this method of treatment.
Contraindications
There may be several contraindications to the massage of varicose veins with varicose veins: from existing skin lesions in the area of the intended impact to systemic pathologies that can immediately lead to complications during physical action on tissues.
The absolute reasons why massage should not be used for varicose veins in the legs are:
- Acute inflammatory and infectious processes. Direct physical impact of such diseases can cause the spread of infection or thrombosis.
- Thrombophlebitis or a tendency to form blood clots. During the session, a blood clot may rupture with the subsequent development of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction or thromboembolism in internal organs (most often lungs).
- Hypertension class 3. The increase in blood pressure puts additional strain on the veins and increases the volume of venous blood. Excessive stretching of the vessel walls and fractures may occur.
- Atherosclerotic vascular changes. The procedure can cause a lipid plaque to separate and trigger thrombosis, ischemia and other complications.
Massaging the lower extremities with varicose veins in patients suffering from dermatitis and other skin diseases in the area of exposure is strictly forbidden.
In addition to the unconditional, the method has relative contraindications. For example, a procedure with certain oils or topical preparations is not performed for those who suffer from individual intolerance to agents.
The list of contraindications may also depend on the type of massage:
- a contraindication to LPG massage for varicose veins, vacuum and anti-cellulite techniques is a subcompensated process;
- hydromassage is not used for signs of trophic ulceration;
- impulse exposure using electronic household appliances is contraindicated in arrhythmias and other heart diseases, epilepsy.
Important!Do not hide from the specialist or attending physician accompanying or underlying diseases that may cause a refusal to conduct a session. This can have dangerous consequences for health and life.
Types of varicose vein massage
There are several types of foot massage for varicose veins, which have individual characteristics and are therefore used at different stages of the disease and for different concomitant health disorders. There are not many techniques with consideration of pronounced anti-varicose veins. Most types of foot massage for varicose veins are borrowed from cosmetology practice. This is a procedure of cupping and exposure to vacuum, lymphatic drainage and modern LPG hardware techniques, hydromassage and others.
The use of cupping massage for varicose veins in the lower extremities is allowed only in step 1, where there are no signs of decompensation (visible veins, tissue ischemia). In the development of venous insufficiency, the vacuum created by banks helps to normalize capillary and venous blood flow, removes edema, and helps to normalize tissue nutrition. In later stages as well as in chronic varicose veins, any kind of vacuum massage for varicose veins, including canned, is contraindicated.
The use of LPG massage for varicose veins - a more modern device vacuum technique - shows excellent results in stages 1 and 2 of the disease. With chronic and rapidly developing varicose veins, this technique is contraindicated.
The use of gentle lymphatic drainage massage techniques for varicose veins in the legs is justified at any stage of the disease as it is accompanied by stagnant processes.
Using hardware or mechanical lymphatic drainage, significant improvement can be achieved in several ways:
- elimination of swelling
- improving tissue nutrition and reducing ischemic changes;
- restoration of venous blood flow
- elimination of muscle spasms and reduction of soreness.
As for the popular anti-cellulite foot massage for varicose veins, it can be used with extreme caution and only in the absence of superficial dilated veins and pronounced ischemic change. In the initial stages of the disease, any technique of this type of therapy will be helpful, especially if the patient is overweight.
In varicose veins, the anti-cellulite effect should not be accompanied by tissue warming. Massage for patients with such a diagnosis is recommended without the use of heating ointments and preliminary heating of the limbs.
Hydromassage of bones to varicose veins is possible at any stage of the disease. It can be performed in salons and specialized clinics as well as at home. A special hydromassage bath or a shower head with several water pressure modes can act as a hydromassage.
Along with plain hot water, you can use healing solutions during the procedures:
- Essential oils with a firming and tonic effect
- decoction of chamomile or calendula;
- with severe bone fatigue, you can use decoction with a relaxing effect (mint, rosemary).
For varicose veins, you can also use mechanical foot massages for household use, equipped with pimples, soft needles or a vibrating accessory. Such devices are most effective in the onset of varicose veins, and in case of chronic severe venous injury, it helps relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Foot massage for varicose veins at home
Home (independent) anti-varicose vein massage is an affordable and completely free alternative for those who for various reasons can not visit a clinic or massage parlor. Self-massage of the legs with varicose veins is the same necessity as taking medication orally and using external means.
In order for the exposure not to harm the ships, a number of rules must be followed:
- Before performing a varicose vein massage, consult a physician and follow his recommendations;
- carefully study the literature describing different techniques and select the type of exposure according to the current condition and degree of varicose veins;
- Examine contraindications and soberly assess your condition, without ignoring signs of change that are an obstacle to the use of massage techniques.
To perform leg massage at home with varicose veins, you need not only theoretical knowledge, but also special devices: a massager, creams and gels, a special shower head (if hydromassage is chosen) and compression underwear, which must be put on immediately after the session. . . It is advisable to buy them in specialty stores.
How
The algorithm for performing massage of the lower legs with varicose veins is standard for any procedure:
- Rest and relief of the circulation of the limbs. It is recommended to lie down 10-30 minutes before the start of the session and place your feet on a pillow or roll so that they are slightly above the level of the heart.
- It is necessary to start the procedure immediately after rest without getting up or moving. It is enough to sit on a comfortable chair or the edge of the bed with your feet flat on the floor.
- Before a foot massage, apply an anti-varicose vein (any venotonic cream or ointment prescribed by a doctor). It is not necessary to distribute it over the entire surface of the leg - it is enough to press the fabric into the palm of your hand and warm it up a little.
- It is necessary to start shocks from the lower legs and gradually rise from the feet to the hips.
- It is necessary to perform movements smoothly without sudden jerks and pressures. The range of motion is wide. When performing hydromassage, circular motions with limited amplitude are performed.
- In places where spider veins and protruding veins are visible, the degree of pressure on the tissue should be minimal.
Each leg should be massaged for at least 20 minutes, after which they take the starting position - lying with slightly raised legs - and remain in it for 10-15 minutes. Then you can put on the compression clothes.
If a burning sensation appears during the session, the skin has a light shadow, swelling and pain intensified, it should be stopped.
At least 10 self-massage sessions are required to achieve positive dynamics. An interval of 1 or 2 days must be observed between individual treatments. Daily massage for varicose veins can cause complications.