Posted on March 4, 2021 by Texas Vein & Wellness Institute
If you’re like most people, you’re probably ditching the Houston sun for some warmer sun someplace a little bit more exotic this spring break. If you are feeling a little bit self-conscious about your physique and your varicose veins, we have created a list of some exercises that may help you lose excess weight and some of the symptoms of your veins at the same time.
If you have just been diagnosed with varicose veins, we may recommend that you make a few minor life changes before we perform any type of surgery or procedure. Typically, we recommend that patients lose weight, get regular exercise, and try compressions stockings before we talk about the next steps.
Exercise gets the blood pumping through your veins and to your heart which can help increase your overall blood circulation. Additionally, exercise can also help you lose weight which is also another contributing factor to varicose veins. When deciding on some exercises to do to help with your varicose veins, you will want to focus on some cardio workouts that get your heart rate up. So, what kinds of exercises should you consider?
As long as you have healthy joints, running is a great workout that can speed up your heart rate, increase your blood circulation, and help you lose some extra pounds. Not only will this kind of cardio hopefully help you lose some extra weight, but it will also hopefully help you alleviate some of the pain, throbbing, swelling, and overall discomfort caused by your varicose veins.
If you are new to running, make sure to take things slow at first so that you don’t get injured. Then, as you get in better shape, you can start increasing your mileage and decreasing your time– who knows, maybe you’ll end up loving running so much that you’ll try out for the Boston Marathon.
If running isn’t your thing but you still want a cardio workout, then consider biking. Biking is especially great for people who suffer from joint pain in their knees, hips, or ankles. By taking the pressure off of your joints, you can get similar cardio benefits as with running but without quite as much pain.
Biking cannot only strengthen your muscles and help you tone up, but it’s also another great way to increase your blood circulation. If it’s too hot to go biking outside, then consider taking a cycling class at a local Houston cycling studio.
If you feel like you aren’t either a runner or a biker, but you still want to get your heart rate up and your blood circulating, then you may want to do something that’s a little lighter like walking. Walking is a great way to get outside, get moving, and hopefully lose some lb’s in the process. Just make sure that you try to push yourself a little bit so that you can get more of a workout. For instance, you can speed walk or walk in a park that has a lot of hills; that way you really get a workout.
Request an Appointment or Screening with a TXVWI specialist.