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 a diagnosis of varicose veins, you will have to train in compression underwear, which fixes and supports problematic 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, then you can do fitness 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, venous vessels lose their elasticity, increase in size, change shape and bend. Deformed veins are located mainly on the calves 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 in for fitness if varicose veins still cannot be avoided? In fact, physical activity is a good prevention of the disease. 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 extra pounds, straighten your 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 "bike". They are performed in the supine position. Depicting scissors, raise both legs and cross them either in a horizontal or in a 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 make rotational movements with their feet, reminiscent of pedaling a bicycle. During work, the lower back should not come off the floor. "Scissors" and "bicycle" well stimulate the flow of venous blood and lymph in the lower body.
The next 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 pulled to the chest, tightly clasping the foot with the palms. Then slowly straighten the leg upwards, while sliding tightly pressed hands along the calf to the knee joint. All the same, slowly lower the leg down, leading the palms along the thigh.
Well stimulates venous blood flow vibrogymnastics. In a standing position, they rise on their toes, lifting their heels off the floor quite a bit (about a centimeter). Then the heels are sharply lowered, hitting them on the floor surface. Do 20 to 30 repetitions, rest no more than 10 seconds and perform another approach.
Stages of varicose veins and acceptable types of physical activity
At different stages of varicose veins, strictly defined types of physical activity are permissible. 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 engage in power simulators with minimization of the load on the legs. It is necessary to carry out a good warm-up and stretching. Cardio on the treadmill is not recommended.
At the next stage, the tortuous veins become larger, the legs noticeably swell in the evening, heaviness and aching pain are felt in them. Patients with similar symptoms should forget about aerobic training with a shock load on the legs (jogging, stepping, jumping). It is recommended to engage in water sports that stimulate the flow of blood through the vessels of the limbs, but do not overload them. Useful fitness areas where inverted postures (yoga, Pilates) are practiced.
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 take walks, but the exercise should not be tiring.