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Varicose veins are a common cause of leg pain, affecting about a third of Americans at some point during their lifetimes. While leg pain is enough of a reason to seek treatment, these damaged veins interfere with normal circulation, and sometimes they can be a sign of a more serious underlying medical problem.
At Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions, Dr. Allison Burkett helps patients find relief for painful varicose veins, offering lifestyle guidance as well as state-of-the-art medical treatments for patients at our practice in Warner Robins, Georgia. Here’s how she can help you.
Varicose veins happen when tiny valves inside your veins stop working the way they’re supposed to, allowing blood to “back up” inside the veins. Over time, pressure inside the veins builds up, creating weak spots and the bulging, bluish appearance that’s characteristic of varicose veins.
Varicose veins look unattractive, and they can also cause symptoms like pain, heaviness, and fatigue in your legs. Without treatment, your skin may become leathery, or you could develop painful sores that take a long time to heal.
If you have varicose veins, here’s how to relieve those symptoms or prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Compression stockings exert gentle, continual pressure on your calves and feet, giving your circulation in these areas a little “boost.” You can buy compression stockings at your local pharmacy or online, or you can ask Dr. Burkett about prescription stockings which may be covered under your insurance.
Tight pants, tight underpants, and tight waistbands all act to restrict normal blood flow, putting extra strain on your vessels as your blood tries to return to your heart. If you like a sleek outline, consider yoga pants or other bottoms made of stretchy, forgiving material. Never sleep in tight pajama bottoms.
Who doesn't like to kick off their shoes and put their feet up? Elevating your legs feels good for a reason: It relieves some of the pressure on the veins in your lower legs, helping to normalize your circulation in your feet and ankles, too.
Leg stretches improve circulation in your legs, preventing blood from “pooling up” and causing your veins to swell and throb. Simple foot flexes and ankle rotations can be done anywhere — even at work. At home or on your lunch break, try some leg lifts, lunges, and calf raises (standing on your tiptoes).
Walking is great for varicose veins, both for relieving pain and for preventing varicose veins from getting worse. Walking is low impact, so there’s not a lot of jolting on your legs. Plus, it helps improve circulation and supports heart health, too. Swimming and bicycling are also good options.
Unfortunately, not everyone responds to these simple, at-home treatments. If you’ve tried these options and you still have pain, medical treatment might be the best solution.
At Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions, Dr. Burkett offers an array of varicose vein treatments, tailoring every treatment plan to the individual patient’s needs and symptoms.
Three of the most popular options include:
These treatments work by sealing off the damaged vein, so circulation is rerouted to localized healthy veins.
These minimally invasive vein treatment options are performed in our office using state-of-the-art techniques. And there’s no long recovery time, so having your painful veins treated doesn’t have to disrupt your life.
Don’t let varicose veins keep you from enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle. Call our office at 478-779-1920 or book an appointment online with Dr. Burkett to learn how she can help.
