Varicose Veins symptoms can come in all forms and stages, ranging from very mild cosmetic issues to severe pains and, in some cases, even causing open wounds on the legs (ulcers).

Although there are various vein treatment options nowadays, some patients stick to conservative treatment methods due to other health conditions or personal preferences.

Conservative methods include any self-care treatments you can do at home to help alleviate the symptoms caused by venous insufficiency.

Here’s what these may include:

• Compression stockings – This is the most commonly used conservative treatment option, especially if you have pain, swelling, or heaviness in the legs. Compression stockings apply steady pressure to help move the blood back to your heart. The continuous pressure also lessens swelling in your lower legs and reduces the risk of getting a blood clot. You’ll still have visible leg veins, though.
• Elevate the legs when possible – This method is well known to help the blood flow toward the heart, alleviating pain, heaviness and swelling.
• Exercise – walk, run, cycle, swim – be active to maintain healthy blood flow and nice and supple walls of the veins.
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods – Standing or sitting for a prolonged time, without taking breaks, may lead to more blood pooling in your legs. Conservative vein management suggests taking breaks every 30 minutes to move your legs whenever possible, ideally with your stockings on.
• Maintain healthy body weight – excess weight puts additional pressure on your leg veins, which often causes varicose veins to form. Keep your body well-hydrated and eat a balanced diet for optimal vein health.

Let us know if you would like to try wearing compression stockings! Our trained staff at the clinic can examine and measure you so that you get the proper size and the right amount of pressure. Unless you are having varicose veins treatment at our clinic, you should bring your prescription from the family doctor so we know what level of compression you need.