Are you living with varicose veins? If so, you are not alone. Varicose veins are very common, with approximately 3 million people being diagnosed every year.
This condition occurs when veins become swollen and twisted underneath the skin, and is typically in the legs and feet. When this occurs, the blood valves become damaged, hindering the blood flow and resulting in pain.
Fortunately, physiotherapy can help relieve the pains of varicose veins. Contact Physiomed today to find out how!
How can I tell if I need assistance?
It can sometimes be difficult to determine if a condition is in need of medical intervention. While the cause of varicose veins is unknown, they can greatly hinder your life by making it difficult to move and walk. However, it is also possible for them to last for years without resulting in any pain.
Any condition that causes pain, discomfort, or limitations to your daily life can be treated and managed with physiotherapy. When you arrive for your consultation, our Vancouver physiotherapists will assess your varicose veins to decide what the best course of treatment will be for you.
As a good rule of thumb, you should always seek the assistance of a medical professional if you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms with your varicose veins:
- Throbbing pain or achiness around the veins
- Swelling or inflammation (phlebitis) surrounding the veins
- Leg heaviness
- Skin discoloration
- Sores or ulcers
- Irritation around the veins
How are varicose veins treated?
These are commonly treated through vein ablation. Vein ablation, also referred to as endovenous ablation, is a treatment aimed at providing relief for painful veins and correcting any damage that may have developed from an injury or underlying condition, such as varicose veins.
This type of treatment is minimally invasive, using image-guiding software to view the affected veins. Endovenous ablation can be performed using either radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize and close the damaged veins that are causing you pain.
While endovenous ablation may seem daunting, it is actually extremely safe. It is much less invasive than conventional surgery, and local anesthesia is used to collapse and close the affected veins, resulting in little to no discomfort during the procedure. This treatment also leaves nearly no scars, except in rare circumstances when the condition is severe and multiple ablations are needed.
After your vein ablations, your physiotherapist will also provide you with treatments to enhance your healing process and regain your physical function. This may include any combination of manual therapy, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, stretching, or light exercises. Your physiotherapist may also recommend compression stockings or lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity and/or weight loss, in order to decrease pressure on the veins.
If your varicose veins are bothering you, contact us at Physiomed today to set up a consultation with one of our Vancouver physiotherapists. We’ll help you get back to living your highest quality of life, free from the unnecessary aches and pains of varicose veins.