How to Treat Spider Veins With Exercise

Many people believe certain physical exercises help treat spider veins by promoting circulation and strengthening veins. These exercises are generally leg centered and easy to perform. Physicians often recommend particular exercises for their patients who are afflicted with spider veins.

Things You'll Need

• Jump rope

Instructions

1. Start your exercise program by walking. Walk for 15 minutes to an hour a day, depending on your general health and how active you have been prior to beginning. This exercise can be divided into segments throughout your day. Walking not only increases blood circulation but also aids in weight loss. Both of these are important in treating spider veins.

2. Jump rope to promote good vein health. Jumping rope is wonderful for building up leg muscles and blood vessels. Start slowly and gradually build up your sessions. You might want to start by jumping one minute at a time and then increase by small increments until you reach five minutes.

3. Get in some simple exercises during the course of your day. While standing, elevate yourself up on your toes and sink back down again. Repeat this 15 to 20 times during any short period of time to increase circulation and build calf muscles. You can also do simple leg lifts 15 to 20 times following the calf exercise.

4. Swim your way past spider veins. This whole-body exercise is particularly kind to the legs, as it promotes musculature and increases blood circulation without putting pressure on the legs as vertical exercises do. Start with four laps and increase by a lap a week to get the greatest benefit.

5. Avoid such exercises as high-impact aerobics, running and long-distance cycling to treat spider veins. These strenuous activities raise the blood pressure in the veins to a degree that will counteract any benefits obtained by such exercise and may even result in the appearance of more spider veins.

6. Lie on your bed and do straight-leg lifts to increase blood flow and thus help treat spider veins. Lift each leg separately for a total of 25 to 50 times each session. Don't tighten your muscles to the point of stiffness. Allow gravity to provide resistance and do not exhaust yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Exercise with a partner to help you stick to your new routine and prevent boredom.

• Build your endurance gradually to reap the benefits of an active lifestyle and guard against injury.

• Do not start exercising for more than 30 minutes a day if you have previously been sedentary.