Should you massage Varicose Veins? Is massage good for varicose veins? These are the questions often asked by concern people with varicose veins. Answer: Massage therapists should stay away from varicose veins and hopefully, they will.
Is massage good for varicose veins?
You might be thinking that massage is a great way to deal with the ache and pain of varicose veins. Or might be even tempted to do one because of how your legs feel and it seems like it would make sense. Massage therapy is great for improving muscle tone, blood circulation, general relaxation and overall tissue health. All these things are important for preventing and treating pain.
However, remember that registered massage therapists are going to avoid working on and around varicose veins. Varicose veins and massage do not go well together.
This does not mean that if you have varicose veins that you cannot have or do a massage. But great care should be taken. There are several indirect techniques that can be quite effective in treating the muscles and tissue of the leg. But you should know that your massage therapist will hesitate to apply any real pressure in the area around your compromised veins. Here are the reasons why:
Visible varicose veins are a sign that blood vessels are compromised.
Varicose veins form when valves in the veins weaken and fail. Blood is then able to travel backward in the vessel and pool wherever gravity takes it. Veins stretch and bulge. Meaning that they are more vulnerable to tearing and bleeding and nobody wants to do that to you.
Varicose veins are a sign that vascular health could be compromised.
This is not always the case, your vascular health could be fine. Surely massage therapists will be particularly concerned about displacing any blood clots that might be in the area.
Is massage good for varicose veins? No, but the good news is that there are things you can do to improve your venous health, help with varicose veins or avoid varicose veins.
- The first, second and last step for vascular and any other kind of health is always to take care of yourself. Eating nutritious food will help strengthen your venous walls and help to prevent further damage to blood vessels and tissue. Cautious breathing and exercise will improve circulation and muscle tone and provide oxygen that is important for tissue health. Stretching will elongate leg muscles and ensure blood is able to reach all areas of your body.
- Find and follow other tips like these for dealing with varicose vein pain.
- Book an appointment with a qualified vein specialist. Using high tech imaging techniques such as ultrasound, vein mapping, examination and an experienced vein specialist will be able to tell you whether there is anything that can be done to improve your vascular health. That’s only then you potentially, can enjoy leg massage treatment and they will be able to tailor a treatment plan specifically for you.