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 to improve venous health and reduce congestion. However, experts do not recommend their use without consulting your doctor, as improperly selected massage for varicose veins can exacerbate symptoms and lead to serious complications.
Is it possible to massage for varicose veins?
Impaired venous circulation in the lower extremities is caused by weakness of the veins, but the main source of the disease is often insufficient muscle tension. That is why doctors consider massage for varicose veins as a very effective method for preventing and treating the disease.
A course of therapy consisting of 10-12 sessions is needed to noticeably improve the condition of blood vessels and reduce 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 medications, this can be done using conservative methods. Even the 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 enlarging the venous wall;
- increase venous blood flow and reduce the load on the veins by increasing muscle tone;
- to reduce congestion in soft tissues by increasing microcirculation;
- relieve puffiness by increasing lymph flow.
According to official standards, only some types of massage can be done for varicose veins. In addition, when choosing them, you need to focus on the current condition of the patient, the stage of the disease and related complications.
Unfortunately, such factors are often overlooked and many women do not think about the consequences of the procedures. They do not consult a doctor whether it is possible to do anti-cellulite massage for varicose veins, but rely on the choice of an employee in the massage parlor.
Even a certified professional cannot assess all the risks in patients with varicose veins. At best, before the first session, he will ask for a certificate from a doctor, at worst he will ignore the presence of varicose veins.
Phlebologists say that foot massage with varicose veins should be done with extreme caution, especially if the disease progresses.
It is believed that improper physical exposure to 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 vessel wall;
- secretion of a blood clot that can travel through the venous network to the internal organs.
Before deciding whether it is possible to perform a varicose vein massage, the patient should undergo a preliminary examination, during which conditions can be found that prevent the use of this method of therapy.
Contraindications
There may be several contraindications for massage of the lower extremities 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 the tissues.
The absolute reasons why massage techniques should not be used for varicose veins of the legs are:
- Acute inflammatory and infectious processes. Direct physical exposure to such diseases can provoke the spread of infection or thrombosis.
- Thrombophlebitis or a tendency to form blood clots. During the session, a blood clot may break with the subsequent development of an ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction or thromboembolism of the internal organs (most often the lungs).
- Hypertension grade 3. The increase in blood pressure puts additional stress on the veins and increases the volume of venous blood. Excessive stretching of the vessel walls and rupture may occur.
- Atherosclerotic vascular changes. The procedure can lead to the release of lipid plaque and cause thrombosis, ischemia and other complications.
It is strictly forbidden to massage the lower extremities with varicose veins in patients suffering from dermatitis and other skin diseases in the area of exposure.
In addition to the unconditional, the method has relative contraindications. For example, a procedure using certain oils or topical preparations is not performed for those who suffer from individual intolerance to funds.
The list of contraindications may also depend on the type of massage:
- 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;
- Pulse exposure with the help of household electronic devices is contraindicated in arrhythmias and other heart diseases, epilepsy.
Important!Do not hide from the specialist or the attending physician concomitant or concomitant diseases that may cause refusal to conduct a session. This can have dangerous consequences for health and life.
Types of massage for varicose veins
There are several types of foot massage for varicose veins, which have individual characteristics and are therefore used in different stages of the disease and in various concomitant health disorders. There are not many techniques with a predominance of pronounced anti-varicose action. Most types of foot massage for varicose veins are borrowed from cosmetology practice. This is a procedure with shaping cups and exposure to vacuum, lymphatic drainage and modern techniques for LPG hardware, hydromassage and others.
The use of cup massage for varicose veins of the lower extremities is allowed only 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 the banks helps to normalize capillary and venous blood flow, eliminates edema and helps to normalize tissue nutrition. In the later stages, as well as in chronic varicose veins, all types of vacuum massages in varicose veins, including canned, are contraindicated.
The use of LPG massage for varicose veins - a more modern equipment vacuum technique - shows excellent results in stages 1 and 2 of the disease. In chronic and rapidly progressing varicose veins, this technique is contraindicated.
The use of gentle lymphatic drainage techniques 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, significant improvement can be achieved in several ways:
- removal of puffiness;
- improving tissue nutrition and reducing ischemic changes;
- restoration of venous blood flow;
- Eliminate muscle spasms and reduce pain.
As for the popular anti-cellulite foot massage, in varicose veins it can be used with extreme caution and only in the absence of superficial varicose veins and pronounced ischemic changes. In the early stages of the disease, any technique of this type of therapy will be useful, especially if the patient is overweight.
In varicose veins, the anti-cellulite effect should not be accompanied by heating of the tissues. Massage for patients with such a diagnosis is recommended to be done without the use of warming ointments and preheating of the limbs.
Hydromassage of the legs for 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 shower cabin with several water pressure modes can act as a hydromassage.
Along with ordinary warm water, you can use healing solutions during the procedures:
- essential oils with astringent and tonic effect;
- decoctions of chamomile or calendula;
- for severe leg fatigue, you can use decoctions with a relaxing effect (mint, rosemary).
For varicose veins, you can also use mechanical household foot massagers equipped with pimples, soft needles or a vibrating attachment. Such devices are most effective in the initial stage of varicose veins, and in the case of chronic severe venous damage helps to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Foot massage for varicose veins at home
Home (independent) anti-varicose massage is an affordable and completely free alternative for those who cannot visit a clinic or massage parlor for various reasons. Self-massage of the legs with varicose veins is the same need as taking oral medications and using external agents.
However, in order for the exposure not to damage the vessels, a number of rules must be followed:
- before massaging varicose veins, consult a doctor and follow his recommendations;
- carefully study the literature describing different techniques and choose the type of exposure according to the current condition and degree of varicose veins;
- study the contraindications and soberly assess your condition, not ignoring the signs of change that are an obstacle to the use of massage techniques.
To massage your feet at home with varicose veins, you will need not only theoretical knowledge, but also special devices: massager, creams and gels, a special shower head (if hydromassage is chosen), as well as compression underwear, which must be worn immediately after the session. . . It is advisable to buy them in specialty stores.
How to
The algorithm for massage of the lower extremities with varicose veins is standard for all types of procedures:
- Rest and relief of the circulatory system of the limbs. It is recommended to lie down 10-30 minutes before the start of the session, placing your feet on a pillow or roller so that they are slightly above the level of the heart.
- You need to start the procedure immediately after a break, without getting up or moving. It is enough to sit in a comfortable chair or on the edge of the bed with your feet on the floor.
- Before massaging the feet, an anti-varicose agent (any venotonic cream or ointment prescribed by a doctor) should be applied to the skin. It is not necessary to distribute it over the entire surface of the feet - just squeeze the medicine in the palm of your hand and warm it slightly.
- You need to start the kick from the bottom of the legs, gradually rising from the feet to the thighs.
- It is necessary to perform the movements smoothly, without sudden pulls and pressure. The range of motion is wide. When performing hydromassage, circular movements with limited amplitude are performed.
- In places where spider veins and bulging 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 occupy the starting position - lying down with slightly raised legs - and remain in it for 10-15 minutes. You can then put on compression garments.
If a burning sensation occurs during the session, the skin has acquired a pale shade, swelling and pain intensify, it should be stopped.
At least 10 self-massage sessions are required for positive dynamics to appear. An interval of 1 or 2 days should be observed between treatments. Daily massage for varicose veins can provoke complications.