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. Also, with the help of fitness, you can improve your well-being and stop the progression of the disease.
With a diagnosis of varicose veins, you'll need to train in compression underwear, which repairs and supports problem blood vessels. The attending physician should be informed about the upcoming physical activity, and it is desirable to work in the gym under the guidance of a professional instructor. If you properly approach the organization of training, you can exercise without fear of aggravating the disease.
Symptoms and causes of varicose veins.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a common ailment. It affects about a third of the population over the age of 25. In people with varicose veins, the venous vessels lose their elasticity, increase in size, change shape, and bend. Deformed veins are found mainly in the calves and at 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 exercise if varicose veins still cannot be avoided? In fact, physical activity is a good prevention of the disease. With its help, you can delay and slow down its development. The prerequisites for the appearance of varicose veins are obesity, poor posture and sedentary work, while exercise helps to burn off extra pounds, straighten the back and improve blood flow in the lower extremities.
Training of venous vessels: 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 the supine position. Representing scissors, raise both legs and cross them in a horizontal or vertical plane. At the same time, the legs are kept straight, the arms are placed along the body, the breath is not held. To simulate cycling, the arms are placed behind the head, the legs are bent and raised. They perform rotational movements with their feet, reminiscent of pedaling a bicycle. During work, the lower back should not rise from the ground. "Scissors" and "bicycle" well stimulate the flow of venous blood and lymph in the lower body.
The following exercise is also performed lying on the floor, but here you need a pillow - the legs are placed on it at an angle of about 20 degrees. One leg is bent at the knee and drawn to the chest, firmly holding the foot with the palms. Then slowly straighten your leg up, while sliding your tightly clenched hands along your calf to the knee joint. Still, slowly lower your leg back down, bringing your palms along your thigh.
Well stimulates vibrogymnastics of venous blood flow. In a standing position, they rise up on their toes, raising their heels quite a bit off the ground (about a centimeter). Then the heels are sharply lowered, hitting them against the floor surface. Do 20 to 30 reps, rest no more than 10 seconds, and do another approach.
Varicose veins stages and acceptable types of physical activity.
At 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 participate in power simulators with minimization of the load on the legs. It is necessary to perform a good warm-up and stretching. Cardio on the treadmill is not recommended.
At the next stage, the tortuous veins are enlarged, the legs noticeably swell at night, heaviness and pain are felt in them. Patients with similar symptoms should forget about aerobic training with a shock load on the legs (jogging, walking, jumping). It is recommended to practice water sports that stimulate blood flow through the vessels of the extremities, but without overloading them. Useful fitness spaces where inverted postures are practiced (yoga, pilates).
The third stage is characterized by severe swelling and darkening of the skin. To increase blood circulation in the legs, you can swim in warm water and walk, but the exercise should not be strenuous.