Is it possible to do fitness with varicose veins? If you choose the right type and amount of physical activity, training will not harm your health and will not cause complications. Moreover, with the help of fitness, you can improve your well-being and stop the progression of the disease.
With the diagnosis of varicose veins, you will have to train in compression underwear, which fixes and supports the problematic veins. It is necessary to inform the doctor about the upcoming physical activity, and it is desirable to work in the gym under the guidance of a professional instructor. If you approach the organization of training properly, then you can do fitness without fear of worsening the disease.
Symptoms and causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a common disease. It affects about a third of the population over the age of 25. In people with varicose veins, the venous vessels lose elasticity, enlarge, change shape, and bend. Deformed veins are found mainly on the leaves 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 can't be avoided? In fact, physical activity is a good disease prevention. 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 to burn excess weight, straighten the back and improve blood flow in the lower extremities.
Venous vessel training: a set of exercises
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics against varicose veins includes two exercises that are well known to fans of a healthy lifestyle - "scissors" and "bicycle". They are performed in a supine position. Showing scissors, lift both legs and cross them in a horizontal or vertical plane. At the same time, the legs are kept straight, the arms are placed next to the body, the breath is not held. To simulate cycling, the arms are placed behind the head, the legs are bent and raised. They make rotational movements with their feet, which are reminiscent of pedaling a bicycle. During work, the lower back should not fly off the floor. "Scissors" and "bicycle" stimulate the flow of venous blood and lymph in the lower part of the body.
The next exercise is also performed lying on the floor, but here you need a pillow - your legs are placed on it at an angle of about 20 degrees. One leg is bent at the knee and pulled to the chest, firmly squeezing the foot with the palms. Then slowly straighten your leg upwards, while squeezing your hands tightly, slide along the leaf to the knee joint. Anyway, slowly lower your leg down, running your palms along your thighs.
It stimulates venous blood flow well with vibrogymnastics. In the standing position, they rise on their toes, quite raising their heels off the floor (about a centimeter). Then the heels drop sharply, hitting them on the floor surface. Do 20 to 30 reps, rest for no more than 10 seconds and perform another approach.
Stages of varicose veins and acceptable types of physical activity
In 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 join power simulators with minimizing the load on the legs. It is necessary to perform good heating and stretching. Cardio on the treadmill is not recommended.
In the next phase, the winding veins become bigger, the legs noticeably swell in the evening, and you feel heaviness and pain in them. Patients with similar symptoms should forget about aerobic training with impact load on the legs (jogging, walking, jumping). It is recommended to do water sports that stimulate blood flow through the veins of the limbs, but do not overload them. Useful fitness spaces in which reverse positions are practiced (yoga, pilates).
The third phase is characterized by severe swelling and darkening of the skin. To increase circulation in the legs, you can swim in warm water and walk, but the exercise should not be tiring.