Varicose veins require complex treatment that includes drug therapy and the use of conservative and surgical methods. One of the ways to relieve the symptoms of the disease is to massage varicose veins.
There are many techniques that can be used to improve vein health and reduce congestion. However, experts do not recommend using them without consulting your doctor, as an incorrectly selected massage for varicose veins can worsen symptoms and lead to serious complications.
Is it possible to massage varicose veins?
Violation of the venous circulation in the lower extremities is caused by the weakness of the veins, but often the main cause of the disease is insufficient muscle tension. For this reason, doctors consider massage of varicose veins to be a fairly effective method of preventing and treating the disease.
Course therapy with 10-12 sessions is required to noticeably improve the condition of the blood vessels and alleviate the symptoms.
The main task of varicose veins is to reduce the load on the walls of blood vessels and increase their tone. In addition to medication, this can be done using conservative methods. Even a classic relaxing massage against varicose veins can significantly improve the patient's condition.
With the right technology you can:
- improves the general condition of the blood vessels by enlarging the vein wall;
- increases venous blood flow and reduces the load on the veins by increasing muscle tone;
- to reduce congestion in soft tissues by increasing microcirculation;
- relieves swelling by increasing lymph drainage.
According to official standards, only certain types of massages can be performed for varicose veins. In addition, when choosing, you need to focus on the current condition of the patient, the stage of the disease and the complications associated with it.
Unfortunately, such factors are often overlooked, and many women do not think about the consequences of the procedures. You do not consult a doctor about whether an anti-cellulite massage with varicose veins is possible, you rely on the choice of a massage parlor employee.
Even a certified specialist cannot assess all risks in patients with varicose veins. At best, before the first session, he will ask a doctor for a certificate; at worst, he will ignore the presence of varicose veins.
Phlebologists say that a foot massage with varicose veins should be done with extreme caution, especially as the disease progresses.
It is believed that improper physical action on soft tissues and blood vessels can cause complications:
- additional stretching of the veins with the formation of large "pockets" in which blood clots can form;
- rupture of the vessel wall with subsequent bleeding;
- inflammation of the vascular wall;
- Detachment of a thrombus that can float along the vein network to the internal organs.
Before deciding whether a massage against varicose veins is possible, the patient must undergo a preliminary examination, during which conditions can be determined that prevent the use of this therapy method.
Contraindications
There may be various contraindications to massaging the lower extremities with varicose veins: from existing skin lesions in the area of the intended effect to systemic pathologies that can immediately lead to complications from physical impact on the tissue.
The absolute reasons why massage techniques should not be used for varicose veins of the legs are:
- Acute inflammatory and infectious processes. Direct physical effects in such diseases can spread infection or thrombosis.
- Thrombophlebitis or a tendency to form blood clots. During the session, a blood clot can break with the subsequent development of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or thromboembolism of the internal organs (most often the lungs).
- Grade 3 hypertension. The rise in blood pressure puts additional strain on the veins and increases the volume of venous blood. There may be excessive stretching of the vessel walls and rupture.
- Atherosclerotic vascular changes. The procedure can cause lipid plaque to separate, causing thrombosis, ischemia, and other complications.
It is strictly forbidden to massage the lower extremities in patients with dermatitis and other skin diseases in the area of exposure with varicose veins.
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 an individual intolerance to funds.
The list of contraindications can also depend on the type of massage:
- A contraindication for LPG massage for varicose veins, vacuum and anti-cellulite techniques is a subcompensated process.
- Hydromassage is not used for signs of trophic ulcer formation.
- Impulse exposure with electronic household devices is contraindicated in arrhythmias and other heart diseases, epilepsy.
Important!Do not hide from the specialist or the attending physician if accompanying illnesses or underlying illnesses occur that can lead to a refusal to conduct a session. This can lead to dangerous consequences for health and life.
Types of massage for varicose veins
There are different types of foot massage for varicose veins, which have individual characteristics and are therefore used in different stages of the disease and with various accompanying health disorders. There are not many techniques in which a pronounced anti-caricosis effect predominates. Most types of foot massage for varicose veins come from cosmetic practice. This is a procedure involving cupping and exposure to vacuum, lymphatic drainage and modern LPG hardware techniques, hydromassage, and others.
The use of cupping massage for varicose veins of the lower extremities is only permitted in stage 1, in which there are no signs of decompensation (visible veins, tissue ischemia). With the development of venous insufficiency, the vacuum created by banks helps normalize capillary and venous blood flow, remove edema, and normalize tissue nutrition. In later stages, as well as in chronic varicose veins, all types of vacuum massage for varicose veins, including canned veins, are contraindicated.
The use of LPG massage for varicose veins - a more modern vacuum technique - shows excellent results in stages 1 and 2 of the disease. This technique is contraindicated in chronic and rapidly progressing varicose veins.
The use of gentle techniques of lymphatic drainage massage for varicose veins of the legs is justified at any stage of the disease, as it is accompanied by stagnant processes.
With the help of hardware or mechanical lymphatic drainage, a significant improvement can be achieved in various ways:
- Removal of puffiness;
- Improving tissue nutrition and reducing ischemic changes;
- restoration of venous blood flow;
- Eliminate muscle spasms and reduce pain.
The popular foot massage for cellulite in varicose veins can be used with extreme caution, and only without superficial dilated veins and pronounced ischemic changes. In the initial stages of the disease, any technique of this type of therapy is useful, especially if the patient is overweight.
In the case of varicose veins, the anti-cellulite effect should not be accompanied by a warming of the tissue. In patients with such a diagnosis, it is recommended to refrain from using warming ointments and preliminary warming of the limbs.
A hydromassage of the legs for varicose veins is possible at any stage of the disease. It can be done in salons and specialist clinics, as well as at home. A special hydromassage bathtub or shower head with multiple water pressure modes can serve as hydromassage.
You can use healing solutions with normal warm water during the following procedures:
- essential oils with firming and toning effects;
- decoctions of chamomile or calendula;
- If your legs are very tired, you can use decoctions with a relaxing effect (mint, rosemary).
For varicose veins, you can also use mechanical household massagers for legs, which are equipped with pimples, soft needles or a vibrating attachment. Such devices are most effective in the early stages of varicose veins and help relieve the symptoms of the disease in chronic, severe venous damage.
Foot massage for varicose veins at home
Home (independent) anti-convulsive massage is an affordable and completely free alternative for those who for various reasons cannot visit a clinic or massage parlor. Self-massage of the legs with varicose veins is the same necessity as taking drugs orally and using external means.
To ensure that the exposure does not harm ships, a number of rules should be followed:
- Before doing a massage for varicose veins, consult a doctor and follow his recommendations.
- carefully study the literature that describes various techniques and choose the type of exposure according to the current condition and degree of varicose veins.
- study contraindications and soberly assess your condition, without ignoring the signs of changes that prevent the use of massage techniques.
In order to be able to perform a leg massage with varicose veins at home, you need not only theoretical knowledge, but also special equipment: a massager, creams and gels, a special shower head (if hydromassage is selected), as well as compression underwear, which are used immediately after the sessionshould be tightened. . . It is advisable to buy them in specialty stores.
Procedure
The algorithm for massaging the lower extremities with varicose veins is standard for every type of procedure:
- Rest and relief of the circulatory system of the limbs. It is recommended that you lie down 10 to 30 minutes before the start of the session and place your feet on a pillow or roller so that they are slightly above the level of your heart.
- It is necessary to start the process immediately after the break, without getting up or moving. It is enough to sit in a comfortable chair or the edge of the bed with your feet flat on the floor.
- Before a foot massage, an anti-spasmodic (a venotonic cream or ointment prescribed by a doctor) should be applied to the skin. It is not necessary to spread it over the entire surface of the legs - it is enough to squeeze the drug in the palm of your hand and warm it slightly.
- It is necessary to start the impact from the lower part of the legs and gradually rise from the feet to the hips.
- It is necessary to perform movements smoothly and without sudden jerks and pressure. The range of motion is large. When performing a hydromassage, circular movements with limited amplitude are performed.
- In places where spider veins and protruding veins are visible, the pressure on the tissue should be minimal.
Each leg must be massaged for at least 20 minutes. Then take the starting position - lie with your legs slightly raised - and stay in it for 10-15 minutes. Then you can put on the compression clothing.
If there is a burning sensation during the session, the skin has turned a pale hue, swelling and pain are increased, it should be stopped.
At least 10 self-massage sessions are required for positive dynamics to occur. There must be an interval of 1 or 2 days between the individual treatments. Daily massages for varicose veins can provoke complications.